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The Trust for Hidden Villa

EIN 94-1539836 · Los Altos Hls, CA

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

TO PROVIDE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES THAT BUILD CONNECTIONS AND INSPIRE A DEEPER APPRECIATION AND RESPECT FOR NATURE, FOOD, AND ONE ANOTHER.

Income
$5.0 million
Spending
$5.0 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
18 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 62%
Employees
85
Volunteers
900
Highest pay
$152,958, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 18.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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

    16 of 16 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 August 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 (7)
  1. $1.8 million spent. SUMMER CAMP: BUILDS RELATIONSHIPS AMONG YOUTH FROM DIVERSE SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS FOR SHARED ACTIVITIES IN HIDDEN VILLA'S UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT. (900 PARTICIPANTS ANNUALLY).
  2. $968,443 spent. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM: TEACHES ELEMENTARY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS KEY CONCEPTS OF ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP THROUGH EXPERIENCES ON THE FARM AND IN THE WILDERNESS. HIDDEN VILLA'S TEACHING TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES ARE UNIQUE, STRIKING A BALANCE BETWEEN SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION AND FEELINGS OF WONDER, AWARENESS, APPRECIATION, AND FUN. (11,000+ STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS PARTICIPATE ANNUALLY).
  3. $425,011 spent. COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE PROGRAM: BRINGS SEASONAL VEGETABLE, FRUIT, AND FLOWER BOUNTY TO LOCAL FAMILIES: 75% PROVIDES NEIGHBORHOOD SHAREHOLDERS AND MARKET GOERS WITH FRESH, ORGANIC PRODUCE AND 25% IS DONATED TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW FOR DISTRIBUTION TO ITS LOCAL FOOD PANTRY CLIENTS.
  4. $285,629 spent. FACILITY RENTALS: INCLUDES THE HOSTEL, JOSEPHINE'S RETREAT, WHERE GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS STAY, AND THE DANA CENTER AND DUVENECK HOUSE FOR LARGE AND SMALL EVENTS AND MEETINGS.
  5. $205,497 spent. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: PROVIDES WORKSHOPS AND FORUMS FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, AND NATURE. (4,000 PARTICIPANTS AND 11,000 CASUAL VISITORS ANNUALLY).
  6. $129,798 spent. VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT: TRAINS AND SUPPORTS VOLUNTEERS IN FARMING, GARDENING, TRAIL MAINTENANCE, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND ANIMAL CARE. FROM HARVESTING ORGANIC PRODUCE FOR DONATION TO GUIDING SCHOOL GROUPS AND MAINTAINING TRAILS, VOLUNTEERS MAKE A LASTING IMPACT ON HIDDEN VILLA'S PROGRAMS AND THE 1,600-ACRE PROPERTY, HELPING BUILD A SUSTAINABLE AND ENGAGED COMMUNITY. (800 PARTICIPANTS).
  7. $70,682 spent. ANIMAL HUSBANDRY: DEMONSTRATES SUSTAINABLE MEANS OF ANIMAL AGRICULTURE WHEREIN, ANIMAL WELFARE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP ARE PARAMOUNT FOR A WORKING FARM. COWS, SHEEP, CHICKENS, GOATS, PIGS, AND SEASONAL TURKEY PROVIDE BROAD EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND REAL-WORLD, HANDS-ON LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIDDEN VILLA'S PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS AND FOR CASUAL VISITORS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 August 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 April 1960.

    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.