Point Lobos Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To protect and nurture point lobos state natural reserve, to educate and inspire visitors to preserve its unique natural and cultural resources, and to strengthen the network of Carmel area state parks.
- Income
- $1.0 million
- Spending
- $851,114
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 23.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 81%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 240
- Highest pay
- $91,001, executive dir.
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.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 23.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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.
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $301,810 spent. Visitors ServicesEducate visitors to enhance their appreciation, understanding, and support of Point Lobos State Natural Reserve through various channels including magazines, newsletters, website, digital app, multilingual brochures, public events, and meetings. In 2024, we served 5,326 students by funding the Docent-led School Outreach Program which provides guided walks to schools in the Monterey and Salinas Valley area. Total expenses $301,810.45, restricted funding of $69,833.91.Including funding for the following projects in 2024:Improving visitor safety by re-painting crosswalks and adding safety signage throughout the Reserve.Improvements to and expansion of the Point Lobos entrance area including improved signage, interpretive materials, and trails. Supported the interpretive materials and program needs of the School Outreach Committee at Point Lobos including funding the transportation and entry costs of Title 1 students and summer walks with underserved youth from CHISPA at Point Lobos, interpretive materials and equipment for virtual and in-person learning, and bookmarks, coloring books, and tote bags given to out to Title 1 students and teachers visiting the Reserve.Provided free informational brochures on the flora and fauna located within the Reserve.Supported the Summer Adventures summer camp hosted by CA State Parks and awarded scholarships to 28 local children from underserved communities through Community Partnership for Youth to attend the summer camp. Supported public bird walks led by CA State Parks at Ishxenta State Park. Purchased updated filming equipment used for digital, educational programing by the CA State Parks PORTS program. Continued to support the migration of our current archive of historical items to an online database to be used as a future teaching resource for the Docent Corps and public and continued to support the maintenance of historical Whalers Cabin and the museumCreation of a scat and tracks identification brochure and life-like scat castings for visitors to learn about the animals within the Reserve. Funded (2) issues of the Point Lobos Magazine as a free membership benefit and also available for purchase at the Reserve.Hosted our annual member appreciation event, the Moonlight Walk which included live music and free, guided walks.
- $277,593 spent. Reserve Stewardship: Including natural and cultural resource protection and public use improvements to enhance visitor experience and safety, and support of the Carmel Area State Parks General Plan. Total Expenses $277,593.46; restricted funding of $195,820.09.Including funding for the following projects in 2024:Important trails and maintenance at the Reserve. Purchase and installation of wildlife-proof trash and recycling receptacles throughout the Reserve and Carmel River State Beach. Removal of invasive species and restoration of habitat within the Reserve. Purchase of trail cameras for CA State Parks research projects. Important maintenance projects at Hudson House including refinishing the hardwood flooring, exterior painting, gate and fence repairs, and chimney repairs. Utilities assessment for Hudson House to determine future utilities needs. Continued commitment to ParkIT!, a community-based initiative to improve traffic safety and sustainability and parklands access on the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur with Phase 1 focusing solely on solving the traffic safety issues at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
- $78,080 spent. Docent Support:To enhance the visitor experience by supporting Point Lobos Docents, State Park volunteers who greet visitors, interpret the natural and cultural resources and lead walks for visitor groups. In 2024, the number of long-term Docents increased to 218 and their volunteer hours totaled 30,580 hours. Total expenses $89,050.65 restricted funding of $36,193.25.Docent administration and support including docent and school walk guide uniforms and office supplies and maintenance expenses. Docent training and continuing education support, including monthly docent meetings, informational guest speakers, and training materials. Purchase of interpretive materials and maintenance for the location-based services at the Reserve (Information Station, MINT, and Whalers Cabin). Docent events and recognition including the annual docent appreciation dinner.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1979.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.