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Guanacaste Dry Forest Conservation Fund

EIN 94-3280315 · Hinesburg, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the GDFCF is to carry out any project or initiative that will increase the chances of survival of the ecosystems and biodiversity of Area de Conservacion Guanacaste in Northern Costa Rica. See Schedule O for additional details.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$3.6 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
32 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
2
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$152,199, exec dir/sec'y

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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 32.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $2.3 million spent. ACG BIODIVERSITY INVENTORY:FUNDED BIODIVERSITY INVENTORY OF THE AREA DE CONSERVACION GUANANACASTE (ACG) FOR DIRECT SCIENTIFIC BASIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, AND FOR USE IN MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION DECISIONS BY ACG. EXPENSES INCLUDE THE OPERATING COSTS OF 13 RESEARCH STATIONS STAFFED BY LOCALLY-TRAINED PARATAXONOMISTS, FUNDING FOR RESEARCHERS AND ASSISTANTS, THE COST OF DNA BARCODING OF SPECIMENS COLLECTED AND GRANTS TO RESEARCHERS ASSISTING IN THE RELATED WORK.
  2. $660,915 spent. MADE DIRECT GRANTS TO AND OTHER PAYMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE AREA DE CONSERVACION GUANACASTE TO SUBSIDIZE EQUIPMENT PURCHASES AND OTHER COSTS OF ITS OPERATIONS.
  3. $121,607 spent. PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF LAND FOR PRESERVATION:THE ORGANIZATION ACQUIRED NO NEW LAND DURING 2024. CURRENT YEAR COSTS INCLUDE PROPERTY TAXES, LEGAL FEES, AND OTHER EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S EXISTING LAND HOLDINGS. THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED $241,746 OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES PAYMENTS FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF COSTA RICA AS COMPENSATION FOR PRESERVING THESE FOREST LANDS, PLUS $140,130 FROM AN ELECTRICAL UTILITY COMPANY AS A MITIGATION PAYMENT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF WIND ENERGY UTILITY LINES OVER THE ORGANIZATION'S PROPERTY.
  4. $84,981 spent. EDUCATION PROGRAM:FUNDED GRANTS TO PROGRAMS PROVIDING BIOLOGICAL EDUCATION TO LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN.

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 October 13, 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 November 1998.

    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 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.