San Diego Bird Alliance
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Together we defend the regions birds, unique biodiversity and threatened habitats through advocacy, education and restoration.
- Income
- $2.5 million
- Spending
- $2.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 7.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 78%
- Employees
- 53
- Volunteers
- 1,939
- Highest pay
- $167,062, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 44% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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)
- $606,832 spent. Fee Based Programs - Bird Festival This program is an annual 5-day event with more than 130 education and conservation trips and/or classes. The Education focus includes workshops on topics such as bird identification, photography, drawing, and sounds. The Conservation focus includes field trips and workshops on a range of environmental topics that include visiting coastal National Wildlife Refuges, designated important bird areas, and native habitat restoration. Conservation workshops include conservation success stories, community science, and what people can do to help birds. The event attendance is approximately 1,800 people. These attendees come from the local area as well as across the USA.
- $338,229 spent. Sanctuaries - Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary 85 acres along Wildcat Canyon Road in Lakeside, CA were donated to SDBA in 1966 as a nature preserve. Currently the sanctuary has expanded to 785 acres of natural habitat for approximately 30 species of native mammals, 25 species of reptiles, and 160 bird species. Silverwood provides the native habitat that allows the community the opportunity to enjoy the nature preserve through nature hikes and educational events. Over 2,000 visitors come to Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary annually. Anstine Audubon Nature Preserve is an 11-acre property located in Northern San Diego County that was donated to SDBA as a permanent Refuge for wildlife and as a resource for the local community to learn about nature, habitat restoration techniques, and wildlife friendly gardening.
- $826,806 spent. Grants - Education Program - Bring environmental instruction to students throughout San Diego County through field trips and other active hands-on nature experiences. SDBA core education programs include Outdoor Explore, Silverwood Science Discovery, Sharing our Shores, and Anstine Adventures. Collectively SDBA serves nearly 1,652 students and provide 2,238 student visits to nature in addition to 2,070 on campus student interactions throughout San Diego County. Conservation Program - Focuses on protecting endangered species and the places that they rely on. This includes habitat management including coastal dune and salt marsh restoration, supporting species recovery with community science programs, participating in conservation planning and environmental advocacy projects, and creating opportunities for the public to learn about, engage with, and actively protect wildlife. Field Trips - SDBA conducts local birding and nature field trips in the community to increase the publics awareness of birds and their native habitat. Local field trips are conducted 4-12 times per month with 10-50 people per field trip. Workshops and Classes - Education classes are conducted in bird identification, native plant gardening and water conservation, and natural habitat. Tabling Events - Members of SDBA are present at key public events with information and guidance for the public on conservation, birding, native habitat, water conservation landscaping, etc. Publications - Sketches is published four times per year and distributed to SDBA members as well as provided at no charge at various locations such as local libraries, nature centers, colleges and universities, and retail outlets. The publication contains information on conservation issues of concern in the local communities as well as a listing of activities for members and the public to attend in support of SDBAs conservation and educational efforts.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending May 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 1965.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.