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Climate and Wildfire Institute Inc

EIN 86-3588375 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

by building a consortium of collaborative partnerships. We operate at the intersections of research, policy, and practice, facilitating collaboration and innovation across sectors to advance climate and wildfire resilience in Western U.S.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
19.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
12
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$204,312, external affairs

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 60% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

    10 of 10 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 (4)
  1. $1.5 million spent. The Stewardship ProjectThe Stewardship Project (TSP) was brought on as a foundational project for CWI. Launched in 2022 under the leadership of Scott Stephens, Don Hankins, and Sara Clark (Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP), TSP focuses on developing law and policy recommendations for federal lawmakers and the federal administration.Teakettle Prescribed Fire ProjectThis project will reintroduce fire to 3,274 acres of old-growth forest to restore its resilience and stabilize carbon stores in the large trees.
  2. Tahoe Sierra Wildfire Resilience CollaborativeCWI and Christopher J Anthony Consulting will work to support the advancement of the Moore Foundations Wildfire Resilience Initiative through the coordination of several elements, including; continued engagement with partners within the Tahoe Sierra SPARK region, development of the SPARK Community Roadmap in close collaboration with the Ecosystems Roadmap, and partnership with the Learning Exchange to create shared resources.Building Capacity for the Tahoe Sierra Regional Wildfire Resilience CollaborativeAIM Grant funds will be used to support staff capacity to establish and expand relationships in the Tahoe Sierra region in support of the CWIs Tahoe Sierra
  3. Wildfire Resilience Collaborative goals, and includes support for CWIs annual Signature Convening focused on wildfire data and technology.CWI Signature ConveningCWI stands at the intersection of research, policy, and practice, serving as a vital nexus for collaboration and innovation in tackling climate and wildfire challenges. Our model requires convening experts from all sectors to stay at the forefront of climate and wildfire issues, supporting coordination across broad initiatives, and crafting/refining actionable strategies for real-world impactall while working with a diverse range of regional groups, Indigenous tribes, and local communities. CWIs Signature Convening is a central element of CWIs mission, (continued on Schedule O)
  4. representing our commitment to annually bringing together thought-leaders and change-makers to address critical topics and action in the climate and wildfire space.Consortium with Blue ForestThe original initiative originally aimed to position UCLA as a hub for climate- and wildfire-related research, coordinating research efforts in the climate and wildfire spaces, which the Sustainable LA Grand Challenge is leading well. While the three primary goals - updated in Spring 2024 - are still relevant, this initiative lends itself well to further expanding our collaboration and partnerships across a range of academic institutions as one of several emerging frameworks through which to build our consortium.

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 August 2021.

    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.