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Marin Audubon Society Incorporated

EIN 94-6076664 · Mill Valley, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MARIN AUDUBON SOCIETY IS DEDICATED TO ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AND ENJOYMENT OF OUR NATURAL HERITAGE. WE ADVOCATE SOUND LAND AND WATER RESOURCE PLANNING, AND ACT TO RESTORE, ENHANCE, AND SAFEGUARD OUR WETLANDS AND OTHER NATURAL HABITATS. BIRDS AND OTHER WILDLIFE ARE THE INDICATORS OF THE HEALTH OR OUR ENVIRONMENT, AND WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO THEIR PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$690,971
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
52.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
0
Volunteers
446

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 52.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 69% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 119% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    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 June 30, 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 (2)
  1. $621,316 spent. CONSERVATION: We continued work on a sea-level rise adaptation project to expand marsh habitat and increase flood protection and provide public access for nearby underserved communities. The project, to be completed on our 20-acre property in San Rafael, includes refining design, coordinating among agencies and conducting public outreach.Our continued stewardship activities on our other properties (comprising over 500 acres), includes revegetation with over 5,000 native plants, and removal of Non-native Limonium. We also are involved in the recruitment of local high school students to help restore habitat.We advocated for the protection of wildlife and habitats on proposed projects and activities having potential impact on natural resources.We partnered with other organizations in legal efforts to protect wildlife in GGNRA and Pt Reyes National Seashore, including providing financial support to the Protection of Farallon Islands.We act as a fiscal sponsor for two independent charitable projects, the Marin County Breeding Bird Atlas and the Marin Baylands Advocates. These projects operate under our oversight. The Breeding Bird Atlas is a multi-year project that is mapping the distribution of birds that nest in Marin County, with a goal of determining the current distribution and composition of breeding birds. The Marin Baylands Advocates is an all-volunteer group dedicated to permanently protecting Baylands by raising funds to purchase Baylands at risk of being lost and educating decision-makers and the public about the value of Baylands.
  2. $44,149 spent. EDUCATION: We offered 66 field trips and 10 speaker series programs on birds and other natural history topics; sponsored 3 Marin County Christmas Bird counts; published 10 newsletters, distributed electronically or by mail to our members. Newsletters included field trip reports, articles about climate change initiatives, and reports of our ongoing efforts to protect the environment. We also offered volunteer opportunities for adults and community service workdays for students working on habitat enhancement on our properties.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 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 April 1963.

    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.