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Ecology Center

EIN 94-1703351 · Berkeley, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

INSPIRING AND BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE, HEALTHY, AND JUST FUTURE FOR THE EAST BAY, CALIFORNIA, AND BEYOND.

Income
$18.1 million
Spending
$17.8 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 95%
Employees
57
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$202,200, executive director

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 50% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 36% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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 (2)
  1. $16.4 million spent. INTERNAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE RECYCLING PROGRAM AND OTHER INTERNAL PROGRAMS:RECYCLING: THE CENTER OPERATES THE RESIDENTIAL CURBSIDE RECYCLING PROGRAM FOR THE CITY OF BERKELEY. CURBSIDE RECYCLING COLLECTIONS IS A KEY FORM OF WASTE REDUCTION AND DIVERTS RECYCLING MATERIALS FROM INCINERATORS AND LANDFILLS. THE CENTER ALSO EDUCATES ON THE ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF RECYCLING.OTHER INTERNAL PROGRAMS: THE CENTER ALSO OPERATES THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS:* EDUCATION AND ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INFORMATION AND EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON SUSTAINABLE LIVING PRACTICES.* STORE TO SUPPLY THE COMMUNITY WITH A UNIQUE AND HARD-TO-FIND SELECTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS, GIFTS, BOOKS, AND OTHER RESOURCES.* A YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL ACADEMY TO EDUCATE AND PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS.* FARMER'S MARKET TO PROVIDE A MARKET FOR SMALL SCALE REGIONAL FARMERS BY LINKING THEM TO URBAN COMMUNITIES AND TO PROMOTE AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE.
  2. $84,213 spent. FISCALLY SPONSORED PROJECTS: THE CENTER SUPPORTS COMMUNITY GROUPS FOCUSED ON ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE THE CENTER'S MISSION BY PROVIDING FISCAL SPONSORSHIP. THE SPECIAL PROJECTS CONSIST OF BAY AREA COALITION FOR HEADWATERS, BERKELEY COMMUNITY GARDENING COLLABORATIVE, BAY AREA SEED INTERCHANGE LIBRARY, ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY CURRICULUM PROJECT, INDIGENOUS PERMACULTURE PROJECT, WEST BERKELEY ALLIANCE FOR CLEAN AIR AND SAFE JOBS, AND GREYWATER ACTION.

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 October 1969.

    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.