Nature for Justice
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To empower frontline communities to lead nature-based solutions that advance climate justice, ecosystem restoration, and resilient livelihoods through connecting locally-led initiatives to funding, markets, and technical support.
- Income
- $11.9 million
- Spending
- $2.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 0.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 90%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 7
- Highest pay
- $90,137, ceo
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
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 79% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 240% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $1.1 million spent. USA: FARMER INCLUSION PROGRAM IN NORTH CAROLINA AND VIRGINIA: 2025 was a year of consolidation, expansion, and renewed momentum. After the loss of USDA funding, the program strengthened its foundations, deepened relationships with farmers, took deliberate steps toward long-term, farmer-centered impact across the Southeast, and successfully mobilized new private and philanthropic funding. This funding diversification was an important step toward a more resilient financial model. One of the most significant achievements was the geographic expansion from North Carolina into Virginia, supporting a growing network of Black farmers adopting regenerative agricultural practices. It was supported by Cargill and built on trusted partnerships and existing farmer networks. By the end of 2025, the program was supporting more than 210 Black farmers across the two states. 2025 was also a year of systems-building, with significant time and effort were dedicated to developing the foundations of a tech-enabled Revolving Loan Fund, designed to address lack of access to affordable, appropriate finance.
- $817,910 spent. CANADA: FIRST 30X30 Indigenous-led conservation is essential to achieving national 30x30 biodiversity targets. While carbon markets have the potential to unlock long-term funding for Indigenous stewardship, early-stage financing remains scarce, preventing many First Nations from accessing these opportunities. In 2025, we advanced this mission: completed 3 pre-feasibility assessments (Market Opportunity Assessments, or MOAs) with Indigenous Nations, analyzing 600,000 acres of Indigenous territory; they represent the first step toward achieving approximately 16.7 million tonnes of sequestered and/or avoided CO2e emissions. First 30x30 has engaged 38 Nations across 6 provinces and territories. N4J secured a $10 million 5-year grant from the BHP Foundation towards year-end. $2 million was received in January 2026 and the remaining funds will be provided in the 3rd quarter or 2026. We have also received significant funding from RBC and expect additional funds in 2027.
- $28,750 spent. AFRICA: NATURE-BASED SOLUTION PROJECTS: In 2025, we advanced our African NbS work laying strong foundations for long-term, community-centered impact across the region. We completed a detailed project plan and due diligence for a large-scale ecological restoration initiative covering approximately 38,550 acres in South Africa in partnership with ACT Group, Ecosystemiq and Apex Conservation Services. Its focus is restoring degraded thicket ecosystems dominated by Spekboom, a highly resilient indigenous succulent plant with exceptional ecological and climate protection value. Reflecting its strategic importance N4Js Board approved the establishment of a registered local entity Nature For Justice South Africa. During 2026, it will enable the growth of an in-country team, strengthening local partnerships, governance, and long-term delivery capacity. In Ethiopia, to advance regenerative agroforestry initiatives that place food security and farmer resilience at their core, we deepened our partnership with Alabaster International to co-develop an Enset-based mixed agroforestry programme. Enset - often referred to as the tree against hunger - is a drought-resilient staple crop central to rural livelihoods.
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
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.