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Applied Ecological Institute Inc

EIN 85-4306479 · Brodhead, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceWeak49 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AEI IS A NON PROFIT IDEATION COLLABORATIVE STUDIO CREATING GLOBALSCALE, ECOLOGICAL BASED SOLUTIONS FOR A CLIMATE POSITIVE FUTURE.

Income
$745,761
Spending
$518,597
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
101.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
1
Highest pay
$148,498, coo

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 101.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 107% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    60% of spending went to programs.

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

Governance

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $311,173 spent. APPLIED ECOLOGICAL INSTITUTE AEI WAS ESTABLISHED TO INNOVATE ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS AND APPROACHES TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE MOST CHALLENGING ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS ON THE PLANET. THESE INCLUDE ECOLOGICAL CHALLENGES WITH CLIMATE CHANGE, WATER AVAILABILITY, FOOD QUALITY AND NUTRITIONAL DENSITY, BIODIVERSITY DECLINE, AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO NATURAL RESOURCES FOR A VARIETY OF USES ALONG WITH THE RESTORATION OF ECOSYSTEM AND WILDLIFE HABITAT. THIS WORK IS ENTIRELY FOCUSED ON CREATING PUBLIC BENEFITS BY HELPING LAND USE CHANGE AGENTS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS BY LETTING NATURE AND ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PRINCIPLES GUIDE THEIR DECISION. IN 2025, THE ORGANIZATION ENGAGED IN TWO LONG-TERM RESEARCH PROJECTS: 1 REVIVE & RESTORE - RESEARCH OF EXCESSIVE DISTURBANCE OF FORESTLAND HISOTRICALLY BY PASSENGER PIGEON MEGA-FLOCKS AND WORK ON BIODIVERSITY OF BIRDS AND NATIVE SPECIES AROUND ADAPTIVE MULTI-PADDOCK GRAZING METHODS. 2 NATURE'S REGISTRY - THE TRACKING AND CREDITING OF CARBON CREDITS FOR THE VOLUNTARY CARBON MARKET.

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 August 2021.

    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.