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Endangered Habitats League Inc

EIN 95-4455451 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceWeak40 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EHL leads the way toward a better future for southern California through the creation of secure intact native landscapes where diverse, abundant wildlife thrives, by building sustainable human communities with a high quality of life for everyone, and by protecting rural and agricultural lands from being overrun by urban sprawl.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
11.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
2
Highest pay
$161,536, director

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

Financial health

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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. $431,004 spent. Since 1991, the Endangered Habitats League has worked on Californias Natural Communities Conservation Planning program. EHL works with local and state advisory groups, reviews and analyzes technical documents, appears in legal proceedings, comments on and/or initiates relevant scientific studies for regional climate action and land use programs. EHL served on the Tejon Ranch Conservancy Board of Directors and on advisory committees in San Diego and Orange Counties, in the former to adopt a new North County habitat plan and in the latter to direct Measure M funding to create connectivity between NCCP regions. In San Bernardino County, in 2025, EHL made progress in its goal to preserve vital habitat for the endangered San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat and restore the upper Santa Ana River. The launch of the Greater Prado Basin Habitat Conservation Plan complements this effort. In Riverside County, EHL worked to protect a regional wildlife linkage along Temecula Creek. EHL participated in a consortium that introduces fishermen to gear systems that do not entangle whales.
  2. $663,824 spent. EHL takes an active role in cross-border protection of habitats common to Baja California and southern California. EHL partners with Terra Peninsular and Jardin Botanico de San Quintin, Baja-based non-profits which protect habitat in Baja California through land purchases and conservation agreements with land owners, and through education programs for local residents. In 2007 and again in 2012, EHL assisted with important transactions that protected key coastal properties. In 2024, EHL continued assistance to Terra Peninsular for the stewardship of these lands, the undertaking of supporting scientific studies, and, in particular, by protecting legal rights to an essential estuary in the preserve.
  3. $180,000 spent. In 2006, EHL established the Endangered Habitats Conservancy for the purpose of holding land and conservation easements and managing them for their habitat values. The Conservancy has undertaken extensive habitat restoration programs along the San Diego River and elsewhere, primarily in San Diego County. In 2007, the first acquisition of 314 acres of coastal sage scrub habitat was completed, forming a southern extension of the Crestridge Ecological Preserve. Work continued on acquisition of a two-mile stretch of river basin for habitat restoration and park uses with additional purchases in 2008 and 2009 for a cumulative investment of more than 10,000,000. In 2013, EHL completed the transfer of ownership and management of these lands to EHC. In 2024, EHL continued facilitating the purchase of additional conservation property through a grant for transaction costs and operating support.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.