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The Living Desert

EIN 95-3385354 · Palm Desert, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE LIVING DESERT MISSION IS TO ENHANCE DESERT CONSERVATION THROUGH PRESERVATION, EDUCATION AND APPRECIATION.

Income
$48.0 million
Spending
$28.8 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
8.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 36%
Employees
327
Volunteers
643
Highest pay
$696,748, president/ceo & asst. sec

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 22 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (3)
  1. $4.6 million spent. CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMING: THE LIVING DESERT IS AN AGENT OF CONSERVATION WITH 100+ PROJECTS IN 12 COUNTRIES ON 3 CONTINENTS, COLLABORATING WITH 70+ IN-COUNTRY ORGANIZATIONS. WE ARE GLOBAL LEADERS IN COMMUNITY-BASED CONSERVATION USING SUCCESSFUL BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE-BASED TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS ALL AROUND THE WORLD, WHILE ALSO INSPIRING RESOURCE SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS AMONG OUR VISITORS. THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OF THE LIVING DESERT COVER ALL ELEMENTS OF DESERT CONSERVATION AWARENESS TO PROVOKE CONSERVATION ACTIONS AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGE. WE REACH OVER 600,000 GUESTS ANNUALLY. WE PROVIDE INFORMAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO MORE THAN 50,000 ADULTS AND CHILDREN, INCLUDING OVER 30,000 SCHOOL CHILDREN. WE OFFER A DIVERSITY OF ENGAGING PROGRAMING THAT SPARKS A PASSION TO CARE FOR THE NATURAL WORLD.
  2. $11.5 million spent. COLLECTIONS: THE PLANTS AND ANIMALS AT THE LIVING DESERT HAVE IMPORTANT ROLES, AS THEY ARE AMBASSADORS FOR THEIR WILD COUNTERPARTS. THE LIVING DESERT MAINTAINS ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE AND EXTENSIVE COLLECTIONS OF DESERT FLORA AND FAUNA IN THE UNITED STATES. AS ONE OF ONLY TWO ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS IN THE COUNTRY WITH DESERT CONSERVATION AS ITS MISSION, WE PROUDLY PROVIDE A HOME TO ALMOST 600 INDIVIDUAL DESERT ANIMALS OF OVER 152 SPECIES AND OVER 10,000 DESERT PLANTS OF OVER 1000 SPECIES IN OVER 50 THEMED GARDENS AND HABITATS. THE ZOO AND GARDENS IS SET WITHIN THE NATURAL SONORAN DESERT ENVIRONMENT IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE SANTA ROSA MOUNTAINS. THE CARETAKERS OF THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL CARE AND WELL-BEING FOR ALL OF THESE SPECIES. THESE CARETAKERS PROVIDE CONNECTIONS WITH THESE ANIMALS AND PLANTS WITH OUR GUESTS SO THEY CAN BE INSPIRED TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE FOR THE DESERTS OF THE WORLD.
  3. $9.2 million spent. MEMBERSHIP/PARK SERVICES: THE LIVING DESERT HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR ALMOST 55 YEARS. VARIOUS MEMBERSHIPS ARE OFFERED INCLUDING SINGLE, FAMILY, AND OTHER LEVELS, UP TO DONATIVE MEMBERSHIPS. THE LIVING DESERT'S MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM EXPANDS THE GUEST EXPERIENCE TO INCLUDE AN ONGOING CONNECTION TO THE MISSION AND SPECIAL EVENTS. EACH DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE LIVING DESERT TEAM STRIVES TO ASSURE EXCELLENCE IN THEIR AREA OF EXPERTISE TO PROVIDE OPTIMAL ANIMAL WELL- BEING, PARK PRESERVATION AND MEANINGFUL GUESTS CONNECTIONS. THE EXPERIENCE BEGINS WITH THE EASE OF PARKING AND PARK ENTRY; TO THE ENJOYMENT OF THE ANIMAL AND BOTANICAL COLLECTIONS; TO THE OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY EVENTS. THE LIVING DESERT BRINGS IN AN AUDIENCE FROM AROUND THE WORLD, BUT PARTICULARLY ACROSS THE COACHELLA VALLEY, A REGION NOTED FOR ITS RESORTS AND INFORMAL LEARNING PROCESSES.

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 August 1979.

    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.