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Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

EIN 93-1168833 · Morongo Vly, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 41% 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

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR BIG MORONGO CANYON PRESERVE. WE ARE DEDICATED TO THE EXPLORATION, PRESERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP OF THE PRESERVE BY PROTECTING AND MANAGING ITS RESOURSES ANY BY PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, WILDLIFE VIEWING AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR VISITORS

Income
$249,091
Spending
$182,126
Spent on programs
41%
Reserves
27.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
2
Volunteers
25

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 27.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    41% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $44,275 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMING: FRIENDS OF BMCP COVERS ALL ELEMENTS OF EXPLORATION AND PRESEVATION OF THIS VALUABLE RESOURCE. WE HAVE INFORMALLY REACHED OVER 40,000 VISITORS, PROVIDING THEM WIHA A VARIETY OF PRINTED MATERIALS TO FURTHER THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE AREA THEY ARE VISITING. WE PROVIDE DOCENT-LED SCHOOL TOURS REACHING OVER 500 SCHOOL CHILDREN AND 200 ADULTS.
  2. $14,758 spent. ACCESS TO WILDLIFE VIEWING AND HABITAT PROTECTION:KEEPING THE NETWORK OF TRAILS ACCESSIBLE TO OUR VISITORS IS AN ONGOING PROJECT. THIS ALSO INVOLVES REMOVAL OF FIRE FUEL AND THE ENCROACHMENT OF INVASIVE SPECIES INTO THIS ACEC PROTECTED AREA. TO FURTHER THIS EFFORT WE HAVE OVER 9432 VOLUNTEER HOURS.
  3. $14,758 spent. ENSURING A QUALITY RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCE: THE PRESERVE PROVIDES A VARIETY OF HIKING TRAILS THAT ARE GEARED TO ALL LEVELS OF EXPERTISE FROM THE CASUAL HIKER TO THE MOST EXPERIENCED. ONE OF THE TRAILS IS WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE. THE PRESERVE IS WORLD RENOWNED FOR ITS WIDE VARITY OF SONGBIRDS. WE PROVIDE ORGANIZED BIRD WATCHING AS WELL AS CASUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIRDING WITH OUR VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF

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 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 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 August 1996.

    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.