Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Society is the primary partner and Friends group of the the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The Society was formed in 2020 as an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System. Our purpose is to promote and support the BBNWR in it's mission to conserve, protect and enhance natural resources through projects, advocacy, outreach, education, fundraising, diverse membership and volunteerism for the betterment of the Refuge.
- Income
- $168,233
- Spending
- $46,027
- Reserves
- 45.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $1,257 spent. Monarch and Pollinator gardens. Volunteer labor is utilized to maintain a beneficial native pollinator garden that is functional environmentally and educational for visitors. Maintenance and continued development benefit between 115k and 215k annual visitors to the refuge.
- $42,914 spent. Outdoor Classroom planning, design and regulatory preparation for construction started in 2025. The classroom's function will be to host outdoor events and environmental education activities. Upon completion, anticipating more than 2,000 annual school trip visitors annually.
- $673 spent. Refuge trail and facilities maintenance including wayfinding signage and informational kiosks. Maintenance of sheds protects Refuge equipment and supplies. Photo chronolog records conditions at set locations over time. These efforts are volunteer time and labor. Trails and signage are utilized by between 115k and 215k annual visitors to the refuge.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2019.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.