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Adobe in Action

EIN 90-0600529 · Silver City, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We promote earthen building and home ownership through education, field-support and diffusion of knowledge. Owner-builders are supported with the planning and construction of their adobe homes through education. Educational activities include online courses, in-person workshops, a podcast about adobe construction, and a biennial earthbuilding conference. Owner-builder support is also provided through design assistance, building plan consultation, and assistance with building codes and permitting.

Income
$76,056
Spending
$65,899
Reserves
13.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 91%
Highest pay
$41,828, executive director and instructor

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.3 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 13% of income.

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

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (4)
  1. $39,459 spent. Adobe in Action Courses - Adobe in Action's online certificate classes and field workshops focus on new construction and promote the continued qualification of adobe craftspeople through theoretical and practical coursework. To reach a wide range of students, our classes are offered as a blend of online and live instruction and synchronize with ongoing Adobe in Action owner builder projects. A certificate of completion is presented for each class successfully completed. Upon completion of all 8 classes (a total of 24 credits), the student is presented with a final Adobe in Action Certificate in Adobe Construction. We strive to align our classes with existing academic and professional earthbuilding institutions to contribute to a nationally recognized certification in adobe construction. In 2025 we served 202 students in 8 online courses and 10 field workshops / volunteer work days taught by 2 instructors and 3 independent contractors.
  2. $2,881 spent. Earth USA 2024 Earthbuilding Conference - Earth USA is Adobe in Action's biennial, international conference on architecture and construction with earthen materials. The conference was held from September 13 to 15, 2024 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It included three days of podium presentations and poster sessions on topics related to the current state of architecture and construction with earthen materials. The 2024 conference was attended by approximately 190 people representing 12 countries. In 2025, Adobe in Action began planning and preparing for Earth USA 2026 which will be taking place in Santa Fe, NM from September 18 to 20, 2026.
  3. $1,501 spent. Owner Builder Support Program - Adobe in Action's Owner Builder Support Program provides ongoing project support to graduates of our online Certificate in Adobe Construction Program during the planning and construction phases of their owner builder projects. Current and past project support has included (but is not limited to) lot selection/purchasing advice, cost estimation for owner-builder projects, design & building plan consultation, code & permit assistance, construction site planning, student-supported adobe brick production, student-supported adobe wall construction, student-supported natural plastering. Graduates of the online certificate program are eligible to apply for support in exchange for an annual fee of $400. In 2025, this program served 4 owner builder projects in New Mexico.
  4. $1,529 spent. Mud Talks Podcast - Mud Talks is Adobe in Action's podcast series with experts from the field on a variety of new construction and adobe preservation topics. In 2025 we released 7 episodes. Our Mud Talks podcast series has received a total of 16,281 downloads since Episode 1 was launched in 2018.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 2025.

    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 2012.

    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.