Friends of Sutters Fort Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The Organization is a cooperating association which supports the educational, historical and interpretive programs of Sutter's Fort State Historic Park which is operated by California State Parks.
- Income
- $116,943
- Spending
- $190,407
- Reserves
- 10.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 74%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 63 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.5 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 20% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 63% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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)
- $170,548 spent. Interpretive and educational programs such as Virtual Field Trips, Living History, Pioneer Events, Trader's Faire, Candlelight Tours, Kids Teaching Kids, and Sutter's Fort Trade Store are the programs which support Sutter's Fort State Historic Park. These programs enhance the visitor experience and educate them about the history of the beginnings of the State of California and the City of Sacramento. These programs served over 5,000 visitors in the current calendar year.
- $10,644 spent. The Environmental Living Program (ELP) is the beloved "Sutter's Fort Overnight" that has lent its magic to the Fort since 1976. This is a special program that allows children to "live" history. Available to school and home school groups, the students, along with their teacher and trained parent helpers, spend 24 hours portraying characters of 1840's California and partake in the various trades, activities, and entertainment of the era.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 November 6, 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 October 1996.
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 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.