Nonprofit · EIN 33-0241242
FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS
Tax-exempt · PALM DESERT, CA 92261
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $1,045,172 | $1,019,006 | $26,166 | $24,526,182 | $35,782 | $24,490,400 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $1,139,044 | $1,650,121 | -$511,077 | $24,407,089 | $72,661 | $24,334,428 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $906,532 | $932,219 | -$25,687 | $24,757,800 | $26,420 | $24,731,380 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $883,702
- of which government grants
- $286,471
- Program service revenue
- $5,860
- Investment income
- $232,536
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $120,923
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$73,150
- Net income from sales of inventory
- -$3,776
- Other revenue
- -$76,926
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $103,988
- Other salaries and wages
- $493,039
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $697,687
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Accounting fees
- $12,400
- Occupancy
- $12,166
- Depreciation
- $3,211
- Program services (functional)
- $816,132
- Management and general (functional)
- $153,203
- Fundraising (functional)
- $49,671
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $24,407,089
- Total assets, end of year
- $24,526,182
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $35,782
- Net assets, end of year
- $24,490,400
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $3,483
- Publicly traded securities
- $2,605,011
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $2,498,222
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $21,992,178
- Gross receipts
- $1,594,287
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 100
- Year formed
- 1987
- State of legal domicile
- CA
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 | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAMMY MARTIN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $103,989 | $12,212 |
| DR ROBERT REED | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| TARA MULALLY | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT GONDA | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH MCGARREY | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TED LENNON | CHAIRMAN EMERITUS Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| JOAN TAYLOR | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNE KANE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0 | $0 | $0 |
| CHERYL MCKINLEY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| REBECCA DRISCOLL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHY COLEMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN CRISTE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GORDON FIDLER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BOB HARGREAVES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN HOCKETT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0 | $0 | $0 |
5 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIENNA THOMAS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| BOB BERRIMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| KATHLEEN LEWIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JIM KARPIAK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| EVAN TRUBEE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 18 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAMMY MARTIN | EXEC. DIRECT Officer | 40 | $97,172 | $11,293 |
| DR ROBERT REED | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| TARA BRAVO | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT GONDA | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH MCGARREY | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TED LENNON | CHAIRMAN EME Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOAN TAYLOR | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNE KANE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| CHERYL MCKINLEY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| REBECCA DRISCOLL | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHY COLEMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN CRISTE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GORDON FIDLER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| BOB HARGREAVES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN HOCKETT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| SIENNA THOMAS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MELINA DUARTE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BOB BERRIMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 18 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAMMY MARTIN | EXEC. DIRECT Officer | 40 | $96,035 | $10,495 |
| REBECCA DRISCOLL | BOARD CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| DR ROBERT REED | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT GONDA | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH MCGARREY | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TED LENNON | CHAIRMAN EME Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHERYL MCKINLEY | PAST CHAIR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| TARA BRAVO | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| JOAN TAYLOR | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN HOCKETT | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BOB BERRIMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| ANNE KANE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KATHY COLEMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN CRISTE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GORDON FIDLER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BOB HARGREAVES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SIENNA THOMAS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MELINA DUARTE | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- PO BOX 1281, PALM DESERT, CA 92261-1281
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- MATT GONDA, PO BOX 1281, PALM DESERT, CA 92261
- Signed the 990
- MATT GONDA, TREASURER
- Phone
- (760) 568-9918
- Return prepared by
- Coachella Valley Accounting and Auditing
California records
California keeps its own records of charities and corporations. Search them by EIN 33-0241242 or by the name FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS.
- Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers
- Registration status and filed reports (CT-TR-1, RRF-1)
- Secretary of State, bizfile Online
- Corporation status, entity number, agent for service
- Franchise Tax Board
- Entity status letter (state tax exemption, good standing)
Mission
THE MISSION OF THE FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS IS TO PRESERVE LAND TO SUPPORT EDUCATION, CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY, AND TO ACT AS THE SUPPORT ORGANIZATION FOR THE SANTA ROSA & SAN JACINTO MOUNTAINS NATIONAL MONUMENT.
Program accomplishments
- LAND ACQUISITION: SINCE 1987, FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS HAS BEEN A DRIVING FORCE IN PROTECTING THE BREATHTAKING LANDSCAPE OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY-SAFEGUARDING OVER 63,000 ACRES OF PRISTINE DESERT. WE WORK HAND-IN-HAND WITH WILLING LANDOWNERS TO PURCHASE UNDEVELOPED, ECOLOGICALLY VITAL PROPERTIES AT FAIR MARKET VALUE. EACH ACRE WE CONSERVE HELPS ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY MULTIPLE SPECIES HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN, PROTECTING THE REGIONS RARE WILDLIFE AND FRAGILE ECOSYSTEM FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.Expenses $183,780
- EDUCATION: FROM SCENIC GUIDED HIKES TO ENGAGING LECTURES AND INTERACTIVE PRESENTATIONS, WE OPEN EYES AND INSPIRE HEARTS-ALL AT NO COST TO THE PUBLIC. OUR PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES, CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH THE DESERTS RICH AND NATURAL HERITAGE AND EMPOWERING THEM TO BECOME STEWARDS OF THE LAND. BEHIND THE SCENES, WE ALSO INVEST IN RIGOROUS TRAINING FOR OUR TEAM AND VOLUNTEERS, DEEPENING THEIR EXPERTISE IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND THE UNIQUE STORY OF CALIFORNIAS DESERT LANDSCAPES.Expenses $348,679
- COMMUNITY OUTREACH: WE BELIEVE THAT CONSERVATION THRIVES WHEN PEOPLE CARE DEEPLY-AND THEY CAN NOT CARE IF THEY DONT KNOW. THAT IS WHY FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS IS EVERYWHERE: SPEAKING AT COMMUNITY EVENTS, CRAFTING COMPELLING MEDIA STORIES, AND SHARING OUR MISSION WITH ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN-FROM EARLY MORNING ROTARY CLUBS TO LOCAL CLASSROOMS. OUR PASSIONATE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ARE RELENTLESS ADVOCATES, KEEPING THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC LANDS AND DESERT PRESERVATION AT THE FOREFRONT OF COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS.Expenses $283,673
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
- 33-0241242
- 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
- 1987
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Animal-related (D30)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $24,526,182
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,594,287
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $1,045,172 | $1,019,006 | $24,526,182 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $1,139,044 | $1,650,121 | $24,407,089 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $906,532 | $932,219 | $24,757,800 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $501,216 | $696,143 | $24,838,897 | 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 33-0241242).
Questions about FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS
- What is the EIN of FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS is 33-0241242.
- Is FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1987.
- Are donations to FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS 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 FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS 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 FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS 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 FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names MATT GONDA.
- Who are the officers and directors of FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 20 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $103,989 (TAMMY MARTIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does FRIENDS OF THE DESERT MOUNTAINS have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $1,045,172, expenses of $1,019,006 and total assets of $24,526,182 at year end.
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