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Sanctuary Forest Inc

EIN 94-2676195 · Whitethorn, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SANCTUARY FOREST, INC. IS A LAND TRUST WHOSE MISSION IS TO CONSERVE THE MATTOLE RIVER WATERSHED AND SURROUNDING AREAS FOR WILDLIFE HABITAT AND AESTHETIC, SPIRITUAL, AND INTRINSIC VALUES IN COOPERATION WITH OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-25.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 90%
Employees
11
Volunteers
28

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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (5)
  1. $974,782 spent. STEWARDSHIP-DEMONSTRATE ECOLOGICALLY SOUND LAND MANAGEMENT THROUGH IMPLEMENTATION OF STEWARDSHIP PROJECTS. MONITOR STREAM RESTORATION PROJECTS, CONSERVATION EASEMENT MONITORING AND LEGAL DEFENSE, PROMOTE WATER CONSERVATION AND DEVELOP DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS. INSTALL WATER STORAGE SYSTEMS WITH FORBEARANCE AGREEMENTS.
  2. $66,460 spent. LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION-PROTECT KEY LANDS AND WATER FLOWS THROUGH FEE ACQUISITION OR CONSERVATION EASEMENTS CONTRIBUTING TO A HEALTHY MATTOLE RIVER WATERSHED ECOSYSTEM.
  3. $37,230 spent. EDUCATION - PROMOTE ENJOYMENT AND UNDERSTANDING OF TEMPORATE RAINFOREST ECOSYSTEM AND ECOLOGICALLY SOUND LAND MANAGEMENT. SUMMER HIKE SERIES, NICK'S INTERNS, SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. 4,000 GRANT IS FOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
  4. $90,201 spent. COLLABORATION - CREATE AND BUILD CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS IN THE MATTOLE WATERSHED AND BEYOND. IMPLEMENT MATTOLE WATERSHED PLAN WITH MATTOLE RIVER AND RANGE PARTNERSHIP.
  5. COLLABORATION - CREATE AND BUILD CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS IN THE MATTOLE WATERSHED AND BEYOND. IMPLEMENT MATTOLE WATERSHED PLAN WITH MATTOLE RIVER AND RANGE PARTNERSHIP.

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 1982.

    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.