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Passes our checks

Yakima Area Arboretum a Nonprofit Corporation

EIN 91-6073776 · Yakima, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INSPIRE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO DISCOVER AND CONNECT WITH NATURE THROUGH A DIVERSE COLLECTION OF TREE AND SHRUBS HARDY TO THE INLAND NORTHWEST AND THROUGH NATURE BASED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN.

Income
$571,643
Spending
$648,437
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
11.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
16
Volunteers
285
Highest pay
$81,452, executive 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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 76 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $192,858 spent. MUSEUM DISPLAY - CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT AND CARE OF A 46 ACRE BOTANICAL GARDEN WITH OVER 1,100 LABELED TREES AND WOODY SHRUBS. A PUBLIC GARDEN THAT INCLUDES DEMONSTRATION SITES AND INTERPRETIVE TRAILS.
  2. $182,433 spent. INTERPRETIVE VISITOR CENTER - MANAGEMENT OF A 4,000 SQ FT. INTERPRETIVE CENTER FOR VISITOR INFORMATION, CLASSES, PRIVATE EVENTS, AND GROUNDS VIEWING. CENTER PROVIDES COMFORTS, PLANT AND AREA ECOLOGY INFORMATION, AND MEETING ROOMS.
  3. $145,946 spent. EDUCATION - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS, INCLUDING A SUMMER NATURE DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN, FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS, NATURALIST WALKS, EVENING AND WEEKEND CLASSES/LECTURES, INTERPRETIVE MATERIALS, AND THE LARGEST ARBOR DAY EVENT IN THE REGION.

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 December 1967.

    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.