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Greater Ogden Community Nature Ctr

EIN 87-0319227 · Ogden, UT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE OGDEN NATURE CENTER IS TO UNITE PEOPLE WITH NATURE AND NURTURE APPRECIATION AND STEWARDSHIP OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
21 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 45%
Employees
26
Volunteers
1,089
Highest pay
$95,888, director

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (5)
  1. $599,912 spent. NATURE EDUCATION PROGRAMS - TO PROMOTE THEIR TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE, THE OGDEN NATURE CENTER STAFF TAUGHT CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS, LED FIELD TRIPS, AND HOSTED EVENTS BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY TO CELEBRATE AND ENJOY NATURE, HELPING THE COMMUNITY LEARN ABOUT CONSERVATION AND OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. STAFF PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT THE PLANTS AND ANIMALS NATIVE TO THE GREAT BASIN. AN EDUCATIONAL OUTDOOR CLASSROOM WITH NATURE-BASED INTERACTIVE COMPONENTS WAS USED FOR FIELDTRIPS AND PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS, AND WAS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC USE. CREATIVE VITUAL PROGRAMMING AND WORKSHOPS WERE OFFERED UPON REQUEST. DURING THE YEAR, THE OGDEN NATURE CENTER AS PART OF AN OUTREACH EFFORT TO VISIT FIRST GRADE CLASSROOMS THROUGHOUT UTAH AS PART OF A COLLABORATIVE INFORMAL SCIENCE EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE REACHED THROUGH EDUCATION PROGRAMS BOTH ON SITE AND OFF DURING THE YEAR WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,600 INDIVIDUALS. NATURE EDUCATION PROGRAMS - TO PROMOTE THEIR TAX EXEMPT PURPOSE, THE OGDEN NATURE CENTER STAFF TAUGHT CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS, LED FIELD TRIPS, AND HOSTED EVENTS BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY TO CELEBRATE AND ENJOY NATURE, HELPING THE COMMUNITY LEARN ABOUT CONSERVATION AND OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. STAFF PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT THE PLANTS AND ANIMALS NATIVE TO THE GREAT BASIN. AN EDUCATIONAL OUTDOOR CLASSROOM WITH NATURE-BASED INTERACTIVE COMPONENTS WAS USED FOR FIELDTRIPS AND PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS, AND WAS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC USE. CREATIVE VITUAL PROGRAMMING AND WORKSHOPS WERE OFFERED UPON REQUEST. DURING THE YEAR, THE OGDEN NATURE CENTER AS PART OF AN OUTREACH EFFORT TO VISIT FIRST GRADE CLASSROOMS THROUGHOUT UTAH AS PART OF A COLLABORATIVE INFORMAL SCIENCE EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE REACHED THROUGH EDUCATION PROGRAMS BOTH ON SITE AND OFF DURING THE YEAR WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,600 INDIVIDUALS.
  2. $465,190 spent. THE OGDEN NATURE CENTER IS LOCATED ON A 152 ACRE NATURE PRESERVE, AND OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES WITH TOPICS THAT INCLUDE ART, BIRDING, WILDLIFE IN UTAH, GARDENING, OUTDOOR RECREATION, CONSERVATION, SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES, AND MORE. THE CENTER IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION. VISITORS ENJOY MEETING BIRDS OF PREY, SNAKES, TORTOISES, SALAMANDERS, FISH AND OTHER NATIVE SPECIES. OUTSIDE THERE ARE PICNIC AREAS, TREEHOUSES, BIRD BLINDS, A SPOTTING TOWER AND PRETEND BEAR DEN, A NATURAL PLAYSCAPE FOR CHILDREN,SCULPTURES, A BIRDHOUSE EXHIBIT, INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE, AND 1.5 MILES OF TRAILS. EXTENSIVE HABITAT RESTORATION WORK WAS CONDUCTED ON THE NATURE PRESERVE TO IMPROVE ITS HEALTH FOR THE BENEFIT OF WILDLIFE AND PEOPLE ALIKE. THE OGDEN NATURE CENTER FEATURES TWO GREEN BUILDINGS, WITH HANDS-ON EXHIBITS AND A NATURE ORIENTED GIFT STORE. THE OGDEN NATURE CENTER IS LOCATED ON A 152 ACRE NATURE PRESERVE, AND OFFERS A WIDE VARIETY OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES WITH TOPICS THAT INCLUDE ART, BIRDING, WILDLIFE IN UTAH, GARDENING, OUTDOOR RECREATION, CONSERVATION, SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES, AND MORE. THE CENTER IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION. VISITORS ENJOY MEETING BIRDS OF PREY, SNAKES, TORTOISES, SALAMANDERS, FISH AND OTHER NATIVE SPECIES. OUTSIDE THERE ARE PICNIC AREAS, TREEHOUSES, BIRD BLINDS, A SPOTTING TOWER AND PRETEND BEAR DEN, A NATURAL PLAYSCAPE FOR CHILDREN,SCULPTURES, A BIRDHOUSE EXHIBIT, INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE, AND 1.5 MILES OF TRAILS. EXTENSIVE HABITAT RESTORATION WORK WAS CONDUCTED ON THE NATURE PRESERVE TO IMPROVE ITS HEALTH FOR THE BENEFIT OF WILDLIFE AND PEOPLE ALIKE. THE OGDEN NATURE CENTER FEATURES TWO GREEN BUILDINGS, WITH HANDS-ON EXHIBITS AND A NATURE ORIENTED GIFT STORE.
  3. $44,892 spent. ANIMAL CARE - LIVE ANIMAL EXHIBITS GIVE VISITORS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND LEARN ABOUT ANIMALS NATIVE TO UTAH. THE ANIMALS ARE ALSO TAKEN ON THE ROAD TO BE USED AS WILDLIFE AMBASSADORS IN OUR OUTREACH EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
  4. $94,063 spent. VOLUNTEER- THE OGDEN NATURE CENTER PROVIDES SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AND INVITES THE COMMUNITY TO ASSIST IN THE CARE OF THE FACILITIES AND GROUNDS, AS WELL AS ASSIST WITH MANY OF THE OTHER DAY TO DAY OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS SUCH AS ANSWERING PHONES, GREETING VISITORS, PREPARING MAILINGS, HELPING TEACH CLASSES, AND TAKING CARE OF THE COLLECTION OF LIVE ANIMALS. VOLUNTEERS ARE PROVIDED TRAINING AND/OR OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS.
  5. VOLUNTEER- THE OGDEN NATURE CENTER PROVIDES SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AND INVITES THE COMMUNITY TO ASSIST IN THE CARE OF THE FACILITIES AND GROUNDS, AS WELL AS ASSIST WITH MANY OF THE OTHER DAY TO DAY OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS SUCH AS ANSWERING PHONES, GREETING VISITORS, PREPARING MAILINGS, HELPING TEACH CLASSES, AND TAKING CARE OF THE COLLECTION OF LIVE ANIMALS. VOLUNTEERS ARE PROVIDED TRAINING AND/OR OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS.

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 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 2024.

    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 April 1976.

    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.