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International Sonoran Desert Alliance

EIN 86-0778917 · Ajo, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AT THE INTERNATIONAL SONORAN DESERT ALLIANCE, WE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS INTENDED TO PRESERVE AND ENRICH THE ENVIRONMENT, CULTURE AND ECONOMY OF THE SONORAN DESERT. WE ARE COMMITTED TO FOSTERING COMMUNICATION, UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION AMONG THE DIVERSE CULTURES RESIDING IN THE AREA.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
-25.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 35%
Employees
24
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$88,500, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 56% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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

    13 of 13 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $1.5 million spent. THE INTERNATIONAL SONORAN DESERT ALLIANCE (ISDA) WORKS TO IMPROVE SONORAN DESERT COMMUNITIES THROUGH HOUSING AND COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. ISDA IS A LEADER IN RURAL "CREATIVE PLACEMAKING" WITH A SERIES OF SUCCESSFUL HISTORIC RENOVATION AND RE-PURPOSING PROJECTS IN AJO, AZ. ISDA RESTORED AND CONVERTED THE HISTORIC CURLEY SCHOOL IN INTO 30 AFFORDABLE LIVE/WORK APARTMENTS FOR ARTISTS, ARTISANS, AND CREATIVE HOME ENTREPRENEURS. ISDA RENOVATED OTHER HISTORIC BUILDING ON THE CURLEY CREATIVE CAMPUS INTO AN INTERNATIONAL RETREAT CENTER, A COMMUNITY KITCHEN, A CLAY STUDIO, AND WOOD SHOP. ISDA IS UNDERTAKING A MULTI-YEAR RENOVATION OF THE HISTORIC TOWN PLAZA, BRINGING BACK THE ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURES AT THE HEART OF THE AJO COMMUNITY BACK INTO PRODUCTIVE USE. CREATIVE PLACEMAKING EFFORTS BY THE ORGANIZATION CONSTITUTE APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE ANNUAL REVENUE AND EXPENSES FOR THE ORGANIZATION. THE INTERNATIONAL SONORAN DESERT ALLIANCE (ISDA) WORKS TO IMPROVE SONORAN DESERT COMMUNITIES THROUGH HOUSING AND COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. ISDA IS A LEADER IN RURAL "CREATIVE PLACEMAKING" WITH A SERIES OF SUCCESSFUL HISTORIC RENOVATION AND RE-PURPOSING PROJECTS IN AJO, AZ. ISDA RESTORED AND CONVERTED THE HISTORIC CURLEY SCHOOL IN INTO 30 AFFORDABLE LIVE/WORK APARTMENTS FOR ARTISTS, ARTISANS, AND CREATIVE HOME ENTREPRENEURS. ISDA RENOVATED OTHER HISTORIC BUILDING ON THE CURLEY CREATIVE CAMPUS INTO AN INTERNATIONAL RETREAT CENTER, A COMMUNITY KITCHEN, A CLAY STUDIO, AND WOOD SHOP. ISDA IS UNDERTAKING A MULTI-YEAR RENOVATION OF THE HISTORIC TOWN PLAZA, BRINGING BACK THE ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURES AT THE HEART OF THE AJO COMMUNITY BACK INTO PRODUCTIVE USE. CREATIVE PLACEMAKING EFFORTS BY THE ORGANIZATION CONSTITUTE APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE ANNUAL REVENUE AND EXPENSES FOR THE ORGANIZATION.
  2. ISDA SPEARHEADS TRI-NATIONAL CONVENING EFFORTS THAT INCLUDE HOSTING THE BIENNIAL TRI-NATIONAL SONORAN DESERT SYMPOSIUM AND CHAIRING THE WORKING GROUP FOR THE SONORAN DESERT BIOSPHERE REGION - A MEMBER OF THE UNESCO WORLD NETWORK OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES. IN FY 24 THE ORGANIZATION COMMITTED APPROXIMATELY 230,000 TOWARD THESE EFFORTS.
  3. THE INTERNATIONAL SONORAN DESERT ALLIANCE PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE CONTINUUM OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY OF AJO AND THE SURROUNDING REGION. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE ADULT BASIC EDUCATION & GED CLASSES; UTILITY, RENT & FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS; APPRENTICESHIP AND INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES; VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE; MINOR HOME REPAIR & WEATHERIZATION; AND BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES. IN FY 24 THE ORGANIZATION COMMITTED APPROXIMATELY 300,000 TO THESE PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1995.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.