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New Mexico Wilderness Alliance

EIN 85-0457916 · Albuquerque, NM

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THE NEW MEXICO WILDERNESS ALLIANCE IS TO ENJOY, PROTECT, AND RESTORE WILDERNESS IN NEW MEXICO, AND TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT WILDERNESS IN NEW MEXICO

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$3.5 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
10.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
40
Volunteers
324
Highest pay
$170,011, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 (5)
  1. $935,795 spent. WILDERNESS PROTECTION: UPGRADING THE STATUS OF PUBLIC LANDS. ACTIVITIES DIRECTLY RELATED TO INCREASING LEGISLATIVE OR ADMINISTRATIVE PROTECTION DESIGNATIONS; PLACE-BASED CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING, MOBILIZATION, ADVOCACY, AND COMMUNICATIONS WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS.
  2. $453,011 spent. WILDERNESS RANGER: THE NEW MEXICO WILD WILDERNESS RANGER PROGRAM IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE US FOREST SERVICE AND BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT DESIGNED TO INCREASE STEWARDSHIP IN WILDERNESS AREAS ACROSS NEW MEXICO. RANGERS PROVIDE IMPORTANT SERVICES INCLUDING WILDERNESS CHARACTER MONITORING, TRAILS ASSESSMENT, TRAIL CLEARING, CAMPSITE REHABILITATION, PUBLIC OUTREACH AND WILDERNESS EDUCATION. THEIR WORK PROVIDES VALUABLE INFORMATION ON CURRENT WILDERNESS CONDITIONS WHILE ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETY AND CONTRIBUTING TO POSITIVE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCES FOR WILDERNESS VISITORS. SINCE 2017, WE HAVE HOSTED SEASONAL RANGERS IN THE CARSON, SANTA FE, CIBOLA, LINCOLN, AND GILA NATIONAL FORESTS.
  3. $796,583 spent. OUTREACH AND EDUCATION: PUBLIC OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AND ENGAGEMENT. ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED TO FOSTER BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION FOR THE VALUE OF FEDERAL PUBLIC LANDS IN GENERAL, NOT ASSOCIATED WITH A SPECIFIC PLACE-BASED CAMPAIGN.
  4. $759,923 spent. WILDERNESS DEFENSE: EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC LANDS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A RANGE OF OVERSIGHT AND WATCHDOG ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO HOLD AGENCIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR MANAGING LANDS CONSISTENT WITH RELEVANT STATUTES, REGULATIONS, RULES, AND MANAGEMENT PLANS AND PROPOSALS. NATIVE LANDS INSTITUTE: TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC SECURITY OUTCOMES FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN NEW MEXICO THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, COALITION-BUILDING, ADVOCACY, AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT. RIO GRANDE DEL NORTE: FORMED TO ENSURE CONTINUED PROTECTION OF THE NATIONAL MONUMENT. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE OUTREACH, CONSERVATION, AND ACCESS PROJECTS TO ENHANCE THE MONUMENT AND THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY IN THE RIO GRANDE DEL NORTE. RIO CHAMA WILDERNESS RUN: SUPPORTING NM WILDS MISSION AND TO CONDUCT CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES.
  5. WILDERNESS DEFENSE: EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC LANDS. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE A RANGE OF OVERSIGHT AND WATCHDOG ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO HOLD AGENCIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR MANAGING LANDS CONSISTENT WITH RELEVANT STATUTES, REGULATIONS, RULES, AND MANAGEMENT PLANS AND PROPOSALS. NATIVE LANDS INSTITUTE: TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC SECURITY OUTCOMES FOR INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN NEW MEXICO THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, COALITION-BUILDING, ADVOCACY, AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT. RIO GRANDE DEL NORTE: FORMED TO ENSURE CONTINUED PROTECTION OF THE NATIONAL MONUMENT. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE OUTREACH, CONSERVATION, AND ACCESS PROJECTS TO ENHANCE THE MONUMENT AND THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY IN THE RIO GRANDE DEL NORTE. RIO CHAMA WILDERNESS RUN: SUPPORTING NM WILDS MISSION AND TO CONDUCT CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1999.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.