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Ventana Wildlife Society

EIN 94-2795935 · Monterey, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CONSERVATION OF NATIVE WILDLIFE,INCLUDING RECOVERY PROJECTS FOR THE BALD EAGLE AND CALIFORNIA CONDOR,PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES, AND OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF TWO WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
-3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
33
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$161,779, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (animals, $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 14% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $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.

  • 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 March 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 (4)
  1. $1.2 million spent. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: Using nature as a classroom, the Society helps children and adults understand and appreciate wildlife conservation and the outdoors while exploring ways they can contribute to its protection or enhancement. Largely funded by government grants intended for under served populations, the Society operates a year-round active youth education program that includes Natural Science Discovery Camp, Wee Ones in the Woods, Condor Wilderness Camp and After School Program for Teens during the school year. The Society serves as training grounds for recent college graduates by offering internships in a professional, hands-on setting. In addition, the Society provides timely and meaningful information through its newsletter, press releases, special events, exhibits, videos, films, and scientific presentations and publications.
  2. $1.0 million spent. SPECIES RECOVERY: FOCUSING ON NATIVE SPECIES OF WILDLIFE, THE SOCIETY REINTRODUCES, MANAGES, AND MONITORS WILD POPULATIONS OF ANIMALS. THE SOCIETY RESTORED A POPULATION OF BALD EAGLES IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA, ALONG WITH PARTNERS, AND CONTINUES TO RELEASE EAGLES AND OTHER BIRDS OF PREY AS NEEDED. THE SOCIETY IS ACTIVELY REINTRODUCING CALIFORNIA CONDORS TO CENTRAL CALIFORNIA. WORKING CLOSELY WITH LANDOWNERS AND GOVERNMENT, THE SOCIETY HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE AT ENCOURAGING A SWITCH FROM LEAD TO NONLEAD AMMUNITION IN KEY CONDOR AREAS SINCE THE INGESTION OF SPENT LEAD AMMUNITION REMAINS THE GREATEST THREAT TO THEIR RECOVERY. THE SOCIETY IS ALSO PARTICIPATING IN A COLLABORATION TO RESTORE CONDORS TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AND BUILDING A PROGRAM-WIDE, INTER-AGENCY, ONLINE DATABASE TO FACILITATE SHARING AND RESEARCH.
  3. $30,012 spent. ECOLOGICAL SERVICES: Through research and monitoring projects, the Society determines the status, health, and distribution of wildlife species, with an emphasis on birds. Clients include government and private enterprise and often involve consultation by Society experts to assess risk to birds from wind power and overhead powerlines, large-scale land use changes, and other projects to help safeguard wildlife in the future.
  4. $2,729 spent. REBUILDING THE CONDOR SANCTUARY IN BIG SUR, CA: The Dolan Wildfire of August 2020 destroyed all facilities at this remote property where California Condor Recovery work has taken place since 1997 when the first release of captive-bred condors in central California. The rebuilding effort is underway to build bigger and better facilities including a new Condor Release Facility and a Bunkhouse / Research Facility for use by biologists.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 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 March 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 March 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.

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