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Sequoia Parks Conservancy

EIN 94-1379633 · Three Rivers, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SEQUOIA PARKS CONSERVANCY FUNDS AND ENABLES PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT PROTECT, PRESERVE, AND PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES OF SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS.

Income
$4.8 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
16.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 57%
Employees
48
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$136,984, develpment directo

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

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

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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, 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. $1.4 million spent. IN 2023 THE SEQUOIA PARKS CONSERVANCY FUNDED PROGRAMS THAT FOCUSED ON PUBLIC ACCESS AND INCLUSIVITY; VISITOR SAFETY AND PREVENTATIVE SEARCH AND RESCUE AND NATURE WILDLIFE STEWARDSHIP.RANGERS IN THE CLASSROOM, POPULAR WITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ALIKE. TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND TULARE AND KINGS COUNTY STUDENTS GET FIRST-HAND, GRADE-LEVEL LEARNING WITH A RANGER FOCUSED ON NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES OF SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON. PARTICIPATING STUDENTS ARE GIVEN A PARK ENTRANCE FEE WAIVER TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO BRING THEIR FAMILIES TO THE PARKS AFTER THEIR RANGER IN THE CLASSROOM VISIT.MAINTAINING, UPDATING AND IMPROVING PARK ACCESSIBLE TRAILS AND EXPERIENCE IS A CORE VALUE. THE CONSERVANCY CREATED THE FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING TOUR OF CRYSTAL CAVE, FINANCIALLY SUPPORTED MAINTAINING AND REBUILDING ACCESSIBLE TRAILS FOR THOSE WITH MOBILITY CONSTRAINTS, AND PROMOTED THOSE FOR THE PUBLIC.SEASONAL SAFETY IN THESE TWO PARKS IS ALWAYS A PRIORITY AND NEEDS SUPPORT. THE CONSERVANCY SUPPORTED SEARCH AND RESCUE WITH SWIFTWATER TRAINING AND TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT.WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT THE PARK'S WILD BEAR PROJECT AND THE RESTORATION OF HIGH ELEVATION LAKE ECOSYSTEMS, TO NAME A FEW PROJECTS. THESE HIGHLY IMPACTFUL PROGRAMS PRESERVE AND PROTECT PARK WILDLIFE AND THE PUBLIC'S ABILITY TO EXPERIENCE THEM FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.
  2. $1.3 million spent. THE CONSERVANCY WORKS WITH THE PARK TO CAREFULLY CREATE, PRODUCE, OR CHOOSE PRODUCTS THAT CAPTURE THE INTELLECTUAL, RECREATIONAL AND EMOTIONAL CONNECTIONS PEOPLE MAKE IN THESE TWO PARKS. THE PRODUCT LINE RECOGNIZES AND VALUES THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF A WIDE VARIETY OF VISITORS. PRODUCTS TEACH ABOUT THE NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES OF THESE PARKS FOR YOUNGSTERS THROUGH A PLUSH NATIVE ANIMAL LINE, BOOKS, POSTCARDS, AND MAPS OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL AREA, AND WEARABLE PRODUCTS SUCH AS T-SHIRTS OR HATS THAT CONVEY A SPECIFIC PARK THEME, CONNECTION OR MESSAGE. RETAIL STORES SEE VISITATION OF UP TO ONE MILLION PEOPLE ANNUALLY.
  3. $4,173 spent. THE U.S. ARMY CORPS LAKE KAWEAH IS A LOCAL FAVORITE FOR BOATING AND WATER RECREATION. THE SEQUOIA PARKS CONSERVANCY RUNS A SMALL STORE INSIDE THE VISITOR CONTACT STATION.

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 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 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 January 1970.

    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.