Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Dungeness River Nature Center

EIN 91-1632949 · Sequim, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 44% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION IS TO INSPIRE UNDERSTANDING, RESPECT, AND STEWARDSHIP OF OUR NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES. THE RIVER CENTER SUPPORTS ITS MISSION BY PRESENTING A RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, LEARNING EXPERIENCES, AND SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.

Income
$504,755
Spending
$755,453
Spent on programs
44%
Reserves
40.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 75%
Employees
0
Volunteers
153

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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 40.4 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 50% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    44% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $145,968 spent. Classes and education programs: Staff and volunteers conducted a wide variety of educational programs and presentations for members and guests ranging from weekly bird walks, art classes, photography presentations, and Tai Chi classes to lectures and films on cultural influences, diversity, and local flora and fauna. The Center hosted 207 different education programs attended by almost 6300 members and guests. The Center also hosted 59 different school educational programs for over 1300 students including school field trips to the Center and classroom visits. Almost 900 Center volunteer hours were recorded for participation in community programs, work parties, training, and providing tours.
  2. $109,855 spent. The facilities are part of the Railroad Bridge Park which features the historic Howe truss Railroad Bridge that spans the Dungeness river. In 2023, there were almost 334,000 crossings of the Railroad Bridge at the Center. Due to technical difficulties that prevented a count in 2024, we estimate that the bridge activity was at least the same in 2024. The Centers main building houses an exhibit room with interactive dioramas, videos, visual instruments, and taxidermy wildlife exhibits. These provide a hands-on education experience on the history, ecology, and inhabitants of the Dungeness watershed. Center staff and volunteers use the facilities to provide school and adult education programs on conservation, ecological diversity, and stewardship of our natural resources. The Center building was host to over 38,600 walkthrough visitors. Almost half of these visitors were from out of town.
  3. $28,412 spent. Festivals: In association with the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society, the River Center hosts an annual BirdFest event. The River Center coordinates all the classes, lectures, cruises, and tours for a three-day event that brings many visitors to the Olympic Peninsula. In 2024, over 500 participants engaged in educational lectures bird watching cruises, tribal facility tours, and instructor-led hikes, etc., to raise awareness of the River Centers leadership in resource and cultural stewardship activities. In addition to participating in other community festivals, the Center hosts an annual River Festival with over 1200 participants. The festival had 500 registered participants for the various classes and cruises and all events were sold out.
  4. Program service expenses relating to camp and school 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 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 October 13, 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 November 1995.

    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 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.