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Klamath Bird Observatory

EIN 93-1297400 · Ashland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

KLAMATH BIRD OBSERVATORY ADVANCES BIRD AND HABITAT CONSERVATION THROUGH SCIENCE, EDUCATION, AND PARTNERSHIPS.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 85%
Employees
21
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$179,956, director (ex-officio)

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    5 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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, 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 (1)
  1. $1.0 million spent. KLAMATH BIRD OBSERVATORY CONTINUES TO ADVANCE BIRD AND HABITAT CONSERVATION THROUGH SCIENCE, EDUCATION, AND PARTNERSHIPS. WE EMPHASIZE HIGH CALIBER SCIENCE AND THE ROLE OF BIRDS AS ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS. KBO IMPLEMENTS COST-EFFECTIVE BIRD MONITORING AND RESEARCH PROJECTS AND BRINGS RESULTS FROM OUR INTEGRATED SCIENCE PROGRAM TO BEAR THROUGH A SCIENCE DELIVERY APPROACH INVOLVING PARTNER-DRIVEN ENGAGEMENT IN CONSERVATION PLANNING. WE OFFER PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. OUR WORK PRIMARILY OCCURS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, WITH INTENSIVE FOCUS IN KLAMATH-SISKIYOU BIOREGION OF SOUTHERN OREGON AND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. OUR EFFORTS ALSO EXPAND THROUGHOUT THE MIGRATORY RANGES OF THE BIRDS OF OUR REGION, WITH INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS IN MEXICO, SOUTH AMERICA, AND THE CARRIBEAN.

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 November 2000.

    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.