Nonprofit · EIN 23-7393204
CHIHUAHUAN DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Tax-exempt · FORT DAVIS, TX 79734
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $1,087,041 | $406,714 | $680,327 | $6,085,105 | $45,167 | $6,039,938 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $577,543 | $380,891 | $196,652 | $4,983,582 | $13,522 | $4,970,060 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $530,408 | $369,222 | $161,186 | $4,533,310 | $39,360 | $4,493,950 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $604,996
- Membership dues
- $37,230
- Program service revenue
- $50,629
- Investment income
- $134,193
- Royalties
- $42,283
- Net income from fundraising events
- $196,462
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $58,478
- Other revenue
- $297,223
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $60,902
- Other salaries and wages
- $159,137
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $246,813
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $33,479
- Occupancy
- $12,476
- Depreciation
- $18,692
- Program services (functional)
- $373,061
- Management and general (functional)
- $31,185
- Fundraising (functional)
- $2,468
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $4,983,582
- Total assets, end of year
- $6,085,105
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $45,167
- Net assets, end of year
- $6,039,938
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $486,940
- Publicly traded securities
- $4,531,552
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $5,842,881
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $197,057
- Gross receipts
- $1,158,911
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 50
- Year formed
- 1974
- State of legal domicile
- TX
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa Gordon | Executive Director Key employee, Highest-paid employee | 55 | $74,625 |
| Jim Martinez | President Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 |
| Rick Gupman | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Rick Herrman | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 8 | $0 |
| Joe Williams | Vice President Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Pam Hall Duerr | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Jesse Kelsch | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Ed Pfiester | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Shirley Powell | Director Emeritus Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Pete Szilagi | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Julie Webb | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Matt Walker | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 12 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa Gordon | Executive Director Key employee, Highest-paid employee | 55 | $72,061 |
| Jim Martinez | President Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 |
| Rick Gupman | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Rick Herrman | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 8 | $0 |
| Joe Williams | Vice President Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Pam Hall Duerr | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Jesse Kelsch | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Ed Pfiester | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Shirley Powell | Director Emeritus Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Pete Szilagi | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Julie Webb | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| John Pritchett | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 12 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa Gordon | Executive Director Key employee, Highest-paid employee | 55 | $63,124 |
| Jim Martinez | President Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 |
| Anne Adams | Secretary Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Rick Herrman | Treasurer Trustee or director, Officer | 8 | $0 |
| Joe Williams | Vice President Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| Tom Edens | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Debbie Murphy | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Ed Pfiester | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Shirley Powell | Director Emeritus Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Reggie James | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| Chris Ritzi | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
| John Pritchett | Member at Large Trustee or director | 0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- PO BOX 905, FORT DAVIS, TX 79734-0905
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- Lisa Gordon, PO Box 905, Fort Davis, TX 79734
- Signed the 990
- Lisa Gordon, Executive Director
- Phone
- (432) 364-2499
- Website
- www.cdri.org
- Return prepared by
- Laura L Lannom CPA PC
Mission
The mission of the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute is to promote public awareness, appreciation, and concern for nature generally and the natural diversity of the Chihuahuan Desert region specifically, through education, the visitor experience, and through the support of research.
Program accomplishments
- Nature Center/Gardens/Public Outreach Program: CDRI operates from a 507 acre site named the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens. The Nature Center contains a wide range of features including: i) a 20 acre botanical and pollinator garden, ii) a cactus house, iii) over 5 miles of trails including a canyon with a year round spring and pools and an overlook trail featuring one of three geologic exhibits at the Nature Center, iv) a mining exhibit, v) a visitor center with a well merchandised gift shop and vi) a bird blind with a year round water feature. CDRI offers annual memberships of varying levels and benefits to nearly 450 members and hosts over 14,000 visitors annually to its site. CDRI employs three full time personnel: the Executive Director, Events Coordinator and gardener, and 2-3 part time personnel, depending on seasonal demands. CDRI also utilizes the help of volunteer Host Campers throughout the year. Consistent with its mission, CDRI offers educational programs for Grades Pre-K through 8th, all free to Region 18 students, in addition to adult workshops and the Conant Lecture program (2x annually), also free of admission fees. There are 2 fundraiser events each year: The Cactus & Succulent Sale and the Cookout & Auction, with the Cookout/Auction being the principal fundraiser.Expenses $294,719 · revenue $108,994
- Education Program: CDRI has three major mission tenets: i)visitor experience, ii)education and iii) the support of research. The educational focus centers on programs for school aged children in a served market of schools within an approximate distance of 100 or so miles from the Nature Center. CDRI hosts two spring programs for area 1st-3rd , a summer day camp for Pre-K through 8th grades, and two fall programs for area 4th & 5th graders. All programs are designed to comply with TX Essential Knowledge & Skills (TEKS) tests. In addition to the site-based student programs, throughout the year the Nature Center hosts schools from across the State who visit for guided hikes and tours focusing on Chihuahuan Desert plants, geology, anthropology and animals from this unique biome. These costs include payroll for the personnel who design and coordinate these programs, and include other education program related costs. Additionally, CDRI funds, subject to eligible applicants, one or two $1000 scholarships to graduate students attending Texas colleges, and is continuing its 8 week summer college internship program begun in 2023.Expenses $78,342
- Research and Conservation Program: The other major tenet of CDRIs mission is the support of research and both education and research support are linked to conservation and sustainable practices. CDRI actively and overtly promotes the use of the Nature Center site in furtherance of research initiatives. CDRI allocates a portion of its site based costs to this expense classification.0
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 23-7393204
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1974
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $6,085,105
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,158,911
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $1,087,041 | $406,714 | $6,085,105 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2024 | $577,543 | $380,891 | $4,983,582 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $530,408 | $369,222 | $4,533,310 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $555,543 | $324,523 | $3,910,307 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 23-7393204).
Questions about CHIHUAHUAN DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- What is the EIN of CHIHUAHUAN DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of CHIHUAHUAN DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE is 23-7393204.
- Is CHIHUAHUAN DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1974.
- Are donations to CHIHUAHUAN DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does CHIHUAHUAN DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of CHIHUAHUAN DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did CHIHUAHUAN DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of CHIHUAHUAN DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names Lisa Gordon.
- Who are the officers and directors of CHIHUAHUAN DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 12 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $74,625 (Lisa Gordon, Executive Director).
- How much revenue does CHIHUAHUAN DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $1,087,041, expenses of $406,714 and total assets of $6,085,105 at year end.
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