Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Joshua Tree National Park Assoc

EIN 95-2312513 · Twentynin Plm, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$5.2 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
5.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 82%
Employees
57
Volunteers
34
Highest pay
$138,538, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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

    12 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.

  • 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 September 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 (3)
  1. $3.4 million spent. JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK ASSOCIATION (JTNPA) IS A PRIVATE, NONPROFIT CORPORATION ORGANIZED AND OPERATING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. IT IS A 'COOPERATING ASSOCIATION', 'FRIENDS GROUP', AND 'CONCESSIONAIRE' AS DEFINED IN REGULATIONS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, OPERATING IN A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NPS WITH RESPECT TO ITS JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK. THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTS THE NPS IN ITS ACHIEVEMENT OF PROGRAMMING GOALS IN EDUCATION, INTERPRETATION, SCIENTIFIC AND HISTORIC RESEARCH ACTIVITIES. WE ACHIEVE THIS MISSION VIA A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, THE PRIMARY OF WHICH IS THE OPERATION OF 5 (FIVE) VISITOR CENTER/PARK STORES AND A RELATED ONLINE RETAIL OUTLET. REVENUES ARE GENERATED VIA THE SALES OF GOODS AND SAFETY ITEMS, AND THESE REVENUES ARE USED TO PROVIDE DIRECT FINANCIAL AID TO JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK TO HELP SUPPORT PARK PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE HISTORIC KEYS RANCH TOURS, TORTOISE TELEMETRY AND BIGHORN SHEEP COLLARING PROGRAMS, AND FIELD TRIPS FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS. ADDITIONALLY, JTNPA STAFF WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH PARK RANGERS AND VOLUNTEERS AT THE VISITOR CENTERS TO PROVIDE SAFETY AND RECREATIONAL INFORMATION TO VISITORS TO THE PARK, IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS PARK SAFETY OUTCOMES AND PROTECTION OF THE RESOURCE.
  2. $348,781 spent. THE DESERT INSTITUTE IS OPERATED BY JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK ASSOCIATION (JTNPA) AND SERVES AS AN EXTENSION OF JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM. IT OFFERS CLASSES IN CULTURAL HISTORY, NATURAL SCIENCE, SURVIVAL SKILLS, DESERT NATURALIST STUDIES, WOMEN'S PROGRAMS, CITIZEN SCIENCE, AND CREATIVE ARTS. ALL PROGRAMS ARE TAUGHT BY EXPERT INSTRUCTORS WHO PROVIDE A PERSONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE ON THESE EDUCATIONAL ADVENTURES. THE DESERT INSTITUTE IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A RICH, INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AIMED AT INPSIRING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS TO APPRECIATE AND PRESERVE CULTURAL RESOURCES AND NATURAL PLACES ASSOCIATED WITH JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK AND SURROUNDING PUBLIC LANDS. DISCOVER JTREE IS JTNPA'S NEWEST PROGRAM. ENTIRELY GRANT-FUNDED, THIS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON IN SCHOOL AND FIELD TRIP PROGRAMMING FOR TK-12TH GRADE STUDENTS IN THE MORONGO BASIN, AS WELL AS PROVIDING PARK RELATED AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING FOR THE MORONGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT VIA THEIR ELOP PROGRAM.
  3. $410,479 spent. THE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SERVES AS THE MEMBERSHIP ARM OF THE JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK ASSOCIATION AND A FUNDRAISING ENTITY FOR JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK. THE PROGRAM ACHIEVES ITS GOALS VIA A VARIETY OF METHODS, INCLUDING SPECIAL EVENTS, MEMBERSHIP DRIVES, DONATION BOXES, PRIVATE DONATIONS, AND MEMORANDA OF INTENT. AN ANNUAL WORK PLAN IS AUTHORED BY PARK PERSONNEL EACH FISCAL YEAR TO DELINEATE PARK NEEDS AND FUNDING GOALS FOR THAT YEAR. PROGRAMS FUNDED RANGE FROM WILDLIFE RESEARCH AND PRESERVATION TO THE JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM TO THE DESERT PLANT RESTORATION PROGRAM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 February 1967.

    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.