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Hoyt Arboretum Friends Foundation Inc

EIN 93-0919495 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HOYT ARBORETUM FRIENDS BRINGS PEOPLE AND TREES TOGETHER. WE CREATE MEANINGFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCES IN A UNIQUE GLOBAL TREE COLLECTION THAT WE NURTURE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PORTLAND PARKS & RECREATION.

Income
$4.6 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
21.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
17
Volunteers
859
Highest pay
$131,175, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 72% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 211% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 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)
  1. $722,879 spent. EDUCATION AND VISITOR SERVICES: 500,000 PEOPLE VISIT HOYT ARBORETUM EACH YEAR. HAFF PROVIDES SERVICES SO THAT VISITORS CAN SEE, UNDERSTAND, AND APPRECIATE OVER 6,000 SPECIAL TREES AND FIND THEIR WAY ALONG 12 MILES OF TRAILS COVERING 189 ACRES. THESE SERVICES INCLUDE FREE MAPS AND BROCHURES IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH, A WEBSITE WITH EVENTS, SEASONAL HIGHLIGHTS AND OUR ONLINE PLANT DATABASE, STAFFED VISITOR CENTER, INTERPRETIVE SIGNS, EVENTS, AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, INCLUDING VOLUNTEER TREE AND TRAIL MAINTENANCE. EACH YEAR HAFF HOSTS THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE CITY THROUGH OUR FIELD TRIP PROGRAM AND SERVES SCHOOLS FROM ALL AROUND THE PORTLAND REGION. OVER TWO-THIRDS OF PARTICIPATING CHILDREN DO SO THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THAT COVERS THE COST OF TRIP FEES AND SCHOOL BUSES. HAFF ALSO SUPPORTS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO MAINTAIN AND EXTEND ACCESSIBLE TRAILS SO THAT ALL PEOPLE CAN ENJOY OUR TRAILS.
  2. $63,699 spent. TREES & TRAILS: HAFF PAYS FOR A VARIETY OF MAINTENANCE AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE TREES AND TRAILS INCLUDING NEW TREES AND PLANTINGS, BASIC GARDENING AND TREE CARE, TRAIL RESTORATION, TREE COLLECTION RENOVATIONS, TREE LABELING, AND SCIENTIFIC RECORD-KEEPING.

Source: Form 990 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 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 2025.

    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 May 1991.

    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.