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Mississippi Delta Nature and Learning Center

EIN 85-0631468 · Greenville, MS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak25 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To care for the earth and the people who live here. We know that children and youth are spending less time outdoors than ever before and it is having a negative impact on all aspects of health and wellbeing. We also know that life saving and sustaining knowledge connected with the natural world is being lost. To combat these challenges, we are providing opportunities for outdoor play and education for all ages as well as sharing knowledge about how the natural world sustains us and our role in our local ecosystem.

Income
$281,550
Spending
$343,390
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
-0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 49%
Employees
20

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 25 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 43% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (4)
  1. $101,803 spent. The Mississippi Delta Nature and Learning Center had an AmeriCorps program that engaged in environmental stewardship activities in Washington County, MS. AmeriCorps members were responsible for removing invasive species on 14 acres, planting native plant species on the land, building trails to make the land accessible to the public, and organizing 11 community events with 200 people to educate the public on how to better care for the earth. In addition, AmeriCorps members leveraged 220 volunteers that engaged in environmental stewardship activities.
  2. $95,610 spent. Children ages 5-15 in the Mississippi Delta were provided with hands-on educational experiences that taught them about environmental stewardship in their community. The purpose of the program is to connect youth to nature rather than teaching them abstract concepts in a standard classroom setting. Youth must feel an emotional connection to the natural world if there is going to be hope of them protecting it. With the increased use of technology in classrooms, students in the Mississippi Delta spend less time engaging with the natural world, sometimes even regularly skipping recess due to testing concerns and cutting science instruction short to focus on tested subjects. This program will provide children with experiential science learning opportunities through field trips, summer camps, and weekly programming. The project will take place both at the Heart and Soul Children's Garden at Mississippi Delta Nature and Learning Center as well as in the classrooms of area schools. Activities include hands-on activities designed around the Mississippi College and Career Readiness Standards. The curriculum integrates Science, Math, Literacy, Social Studies, and the Arts. The project has been designed based on research that shows one time and intermittent environmental education can be effective in creating an emotional connection to the natural world, which leads to behavior change in young participants.
  3. $83,524 spent. The Heart and Soul Children's Garden is a 2 acre play space designed with children in mind. Each area has been thoughtfully created to encourage natural curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Each area is surrounded by native habitats and gardens planted with plants that thrive and contribute to the Mississippi Delta ecosystem. The garden is open Tuesday-Saturday during business hours for anyone to visit, with special activities throughout the week. The garden is available for field trips, birthday parties, and other events.
  4. The Youth Ag program educates youth on best practices in small scale agribusiness. The program includes a history of agriculture, how agriculture provides for our daily needs, the importance of sustainable agriculture, and how to run an agricultural business.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 May 2020.

    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.