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Passes our checks

Columbia Springs

EIN 91-2127405 · Vancouver, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

COLUMBIA SPRINGS' MSSION IS TO PROVIDE A UNIQUE SETTINGS AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES THAT FOSTER A GREATER AWARENESS OF THE NATURAL WORLS AND INSPIRE STEWARDSHIP.

Income
$769,798
Spending
$904,248
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
-9.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
14
Volunteers
250

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

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 72% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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. $570,360 spent. THE EXPENSE FOR "OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES" RELATED TO SUPPORT OF THE GROUNDS USED BY OUR PROGRAMS
  2. $200,465 spent. Our on-site education program worked with the two largest local school districts in Clark County, with a required field trip for all 5th grade students in those districts. These students experience a full day of experiential learning opportunities where they participate in activities that support nest generation science standards, while providing an opportunity to see themselves as successful scientists and belonging in nature. This programming also provides a series of week-long summer day camp experiences for area students; 10 percent of the students participate via a scholarship program.
  3. $71,488 spent. Salmon in the Classroom (SITC) is a program of Columbia Springs in partnership with Clark Public Utilities. It was created in 1991 by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to provide students for hands-on environmental education. By studying salmon, their habitats, and water quality, students discover the interrelationships of species within their local watershed. Students ultimately learn how to care for the health of their own environment by learning how to protect salmon habitat. All schools, public and private, throughout Clark County are eligible to participate in the Salmon in the Classroom Program. In 2024, we served over 40 schools throughout the County which included in person lessons and fish release events.
  4. $449 spent. Repair Clark County is a program that is supported by grant funding and powered by volunteers. Partnering with local agencies, Repair Clark County (RCC) organizes events at local community spaces throughout the County where anyone can bring broken household items to be repaired by a team of skilled volunteer fixers. These free community events often include multi-lingual interpretation to ensure accessibility for all participants. After pausing in 2023 due to a shortfall in grant funding, the programs was redesigned and successfully relaunched in 2024 as a volunteer-led initiative.

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 October 2001.

    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.