Arboretum San Antonio
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Arboretum San Antonio (ASA), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2021, is building a world-class arboretum on the former Republic Golf Course in the heart of San Antonios historic Southside. The first in San Antonio and the second largest in the state, the Arboretum will be a leading recreational, ecological, economic, and educational resource for residents and visitors of all ages in the San Antonio area, and a critical part of the regional infrastructure, bringing equity balance to an area severely lacking in green space, mitigating heat and air pollution, advancing environmental and biological research, educating our community about the ecological and health benefits provided by trees, and beautifying the Arboretum area and throughout the city. Most important, the Arboretum, will be the center of a powerful movement to define San Antonio as a city of trees and one that prioritizes the natural world and the health and wellness of our residents. The mission of ASA is to esta
- Income
- $1.5 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- -15.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 59%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 12
- Highest pay
- $189,583, chief executive officer
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
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 42% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 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 (1)
- $952,438 spent. ASA has selected nationally-renowned landscape and design firm Sasaki to develop a master plan for the design of the Arboretum. While the 188-acre space has not yet been transformed into the Arboretum, the natural area is already ideal for promoting physically and mentally healthy lifestyles. Research confirms the significant physical, mental, and cognitive health benefits experienced by time spent in nature, including decreasing symptoms of anxiety and depression, improving mood, reducing stress, and increasing self-esteem. ASA is currently developing walking thrive as our climate changes, and a comprehensive roster of nature-based and health and is under development. Once developed, the Arboretum will feature pedestrian and bicycle trails, recreational amenities and activities, a tree nursery to propagate native and naturalized trees that are able to adapt and thrive as our climate changes, and a comprehensive roster of nature-based and health and wellness bilingual education programs to be offered in the Arboretum and targeted locations around San Antonio. ASA will also offer an outdoor educational curriculum pertaining to the science of trees to be developed through partnerships with regional schools and youth organizations, and environmental research opportunities for botanists, biologists, arborists, and other natural resource professionals that will enhance knowledge of nature-based solutions and native species relevant to the San Antonio River Basin and surrounding areas. Additionally, the Arboretum will be an important expansion of San Antonios greenway network by connecting to the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trails System, a network of approximately 82 miles.
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
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.
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2022.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.