Friends of Fossil Forests
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
1 To support petrified wood research education and conservation. 2 To educate individuals and groups on petrified wood identification fossilization and conservation. 3 To inspire students to become paleobotanists. 4 To bring together researchers and citizen scientists.
- Income
- $2,831
- Spending
- $27,124
- Reserves
- 25.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Highest pay
- $23,592, executive director and director
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
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
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 (2)
- $26,574 spent. Two-year National Geographic Society Grant June 2023. Three areas of focus: 1 Research - study fossil wood specimens from the collections at University of Florida Smithsonian Natural History Museum and Harvard University. 70% completed. 2 Education - Community engagement: create curriculum and conduct a 10-day summer program for Wyoming Indian High School teachers and students. 100% completed. 3 Paleobotanical kits: contract with Colorado State University CSU STEM department to create 15 classroom kits for student grades 4-12. FFF provided independent contractors to design build and train teachers in the region. The kits became part of CSUs STEM lending library. Also create a set of kits adapted for Indonesian students. 100% complete. 4 Storytelling: two videographers accompany the team during the project to film the work and to interview prominent paleobotanist. 100% complete.
- A National Geographic Society Grant to explore the lost flora and fauna from the stone age in Mount Popa geopark Myanmar. The project has been postponed due to instability in the region causing unsafe conditions for the field team.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2023.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.