﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Return returnVersion="2012v2.0" xmlns="http://www.irs.gov/efile" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <ReturnHeader binaryAttachmentCount="0">
    <Timestamp>2013-05-06T21:16:27-07:00</Timestamp>
    <TaxPeriodEndDate>2012-12-31</TaxPeriodEndDate>
    <ReturnType>990EZ</ReturnType>
    <TaxPeriodBeginDate>2012-01-01</TaxPeriodBeginDate>
    <Filer>
      <EIN>770480093</EIN>
      <Name>
        <BusinessNameLine1>CLOUD FOREST INSTITUTE</BusinessNameLine1>
      </Name>
      <NameControl>CLOU</NameControl>
      <Phone>7077431287</Phone>
      <USAddress>
        <AddressLine1>PO Box 1435</AddressLine1>
        <City>Ukiah</City>
        <State>CA</State>
        <ZIPCode>95482</ZIPCode>
      </USAddress>
    </Filer>
    <Officer>
      <Name>Jenny Burnstad</Name>
      <Title>Treasurer</Title>
      <Phone>7078953243</Phone>
      <DateSigned>2013-05-10</DateSigned>
    </Officer>
    <TaxYear>2012</TaxYear>
    <BuildTS>2016-03-07 17:11:31Z</BuildTS>
  </ReturnHeader>
  <ReturnData documentCount="4">
    <IRS990EZ documentId="R000001" referenceDocumentId="R000004" softwareId="12000197" softwareVersion="v1.00">
      <MethodOfAccountingCash>X</MethodOfAccountingCash>
      <WebSite>www.cloudforest.org</WebSite>
      <Organization501c3 referenceDocumentId="R000002">X</Organization501c3>
      <GrossReceipts>181892</GrossReceipts>
      <InfoInScheduleOPartI>X</InfoInScheduleOPartI>
      <ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtc>165718</ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtc>
      <ProgramServiceRevenue>16174</ProgramServiceRevenue>
      <MembershipDues>0</MembershipDues>
      <InvestmentIncome>0</InvestmentIncome>
      <GrossAmountFromSaleOfAssets>0</GrossAmountFromSaleOfAssets>
      <CostOtherBasisAndSalesExpenses>0</CostOtherBasisAndSalesExpenses>
      <GainOrLossFromSaleOfAssets>0</GainOrLossFromSaleOfAssets>
      <GamingGrossIncome>0</GamingGrossIncome>
      <FundraisingGrossIncome contributionsReportedOnLine1a="0">0</FundraisingGrossIncome>
      <SpecialEventsDirectExpenses>0</SpecialEventsDirectExpenses>
      <SpecialEventsNetIncomeLoss>0</SpecialEventsNetIncomeLoss>
      <GrossSalesOfInventory>0</GrossSalesOfInventory>
      <CostOfGoodsSold>0</CostOfGoodsSold>
      <GroProfitLossSalesOfInventory>0</GroProfitLossSalesOfInventory>
      <OtherRevenueTotal>0</OtherRevenueTotal>
      <TotalRevenue>181892</TotalRevenue>
      <GrantsAndSimilarAmountsPaid>113646</GrantsAndSimilarAmountsPaid>
      <BenefitsPaidToOrForMembers>0</BenefitsPaidToOrForMembers>
      <SalariesOtherCompEmplBenefits>0</SalariesOtherCompEmplBenefits>
      <FeesAndOthPymtToIndContractors>46117</FeesAndOthPymtToIndContractors>
      <OccupancyRentUtilitiesAndMaint>5703</OccupancyRentUtilitiesAndMaint>
      <PrintingPublicationsPostage>2056</PrintingPublicationsPostage>
      <OtherExpensesTotal>2868</OtherExpensesTotal>
      <TotalExpenses>170390</TotalExpenses>
      <ExcessOrDeficitForYear>11502</ExcessOrDeficitForYear>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOY>64034</NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOY>
      <OtherChangesInNetAssets>0</OtherChangesInNetAssets>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOY>75536</NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOY>
      <CashSavingsAndInvestments>
        <BOY>64034</BOY>
        <EOY>75536</EOY>
      </CashSavingsAndInvestments>
      <LandAndBuildings>
        <BOY>0</BOY>
        <EOY>0</EOY>
      </LandAndBuildings>
      <OtherAssetsTotal>
        <BOY>0</BOY>
        <EOY>0</EOY>
      </OtherAssetsTotal>
      <TotalAssets>
        <BOY>64034</BOY>
        <EOY>75536</EOY>
      </TotalAssets>
      <SumOfTotalLiabilities>
        <BOY>0</BOY>
        <EOY>0</EOY>
      </SumOfTotalLiabilities>
      <NetAssetsOrFundBalances>
        <BOY>64034</BOY>
        <EOY>75536</EOY>
      </NetAssetsOrFundBalances>
      <PrimaryExemptPurpose>Educational and scientific</PrimaryExemptPurpose>
      <ProgramServiceAccomplishment>
        <DescriptionProgramServiceAccom>Service Learning Edu-Tour 2012: Cloud Forest Institute offered Service Learning workshops in Ecuador to 10 students. These students learned about Cloud Forest Ecology and Conservation. The greater community benefited through the service students provided to the upkeep of the recycling and greenhouse mushroom cultivation projects initiated by Cloud Forest Institute.</DescriptionProgramServiceAccom>
        <GrantsAndAllocations>16174</GrantsAndAllocations>
        <ProgramServiceExpenses>16028</ProgramServiceExpenses>
      </ProgramServiceAccomplishment>
      <TotalProgramServiceExpenses>16028</TotalProgramServiceExpenses>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
        <PersonName>Charles Payne</PersonName>
        <Title>President</Title>
        <AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>1</AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>
        <Compensation>0</Compensation>
        <ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>0</ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
        <PersonName>Lynda McClure</PersonName>
        <Title>Secretary</Title>
        <AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>2</AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>
        <Compensation>0</Compensation>
        <ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>0</ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
        <PersonName>Jenny Burnstad</PersonName>
        <Title>Treasurer</Title>
        <AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>5</AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>
        <Compensation>0</Compensation>
        <ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>0</ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
        <PersonName>Dara Zimmerman</PersonName>
        <Title>Director</Title>
        <AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>1</AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>
        <Compensation>0</Compensation>
        <ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>0</ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
        <PersonName>Govinda Dalton</PersonName>
        <Title>Director</Title>
        <AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>1</AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>
        <Compensation>0</Compensation>
        <ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>0</ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
        <PersonName>Julie Drucker</PersonName>
        <Title>Director</Title>
        <AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>1</AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>
        <Compensation>0</Compensation>
        <ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>0</ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
      <OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
        <PersonName>Anna Connell</PersonName>
        <Title>Director</Title>
        <AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>1</AvgHoursPerWkDevotedToPosition>
        <Compensation>0</Compensation>
        <ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>0</ContriToEmplBenefitPlansEtc>
        <ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>0</ExpenseAccountOtherAllowances>
      </OfficerDirectorTrusteeKeyEmpl>
      <ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRpt>0</ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRpt>
      <MadeChangesToOrgnzngEtcDoc>0</MadeChangesToOrgnzngEtcDoc>
      <OrganizationHadUBI>0</OrganizationHadUBI>
      <SubjectToProxyTax>0</SubjectToProxyTax>
      <OrganizationDissolvedEtc>0</OrganizationDissolvedEtc>
      <DirectIndirectPoliticalExpend>0</DirectIndirectPoliticalExpend>
      <DidOrgFileForm1120POLThisYear>0</DidOrgFileForm1120POLThisYear>
      <MadeLoansToFromOfficers>0</MadeLoansToFromOfficers>
      <TaxImposedUnderIRC4911>0</TaxImposedUnderIRC4911>
      <TaxImposedUnderIRC4912>0</TaxImposedUnderIRC4912>
      <TaxImposedUnderIRC4955>0</TaxImposedUnderIRC4955>
      <EngagedInExcessBenefitTrans>0</EngagedInExcessBenefitTrans>
      <AmountOfTaxImposedOnOrgMgr>0</AmountOfTaxImposedOnOrgMgr>
      <AmountOfTaxReimbursedByOrg>0</AmountOfTaxReimbursedByOrg>
      <ProhibitedTaxShelterTrans>0</ProhibitedTaxShelterTrans>
      <StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFiled>CA</StatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFiled>
      <TheBooksAreInCareOf>
        <NamePerson>Jenny Burnstad</NamePerson>
        <AddressUS>
          <AddressLine1>PO Box 1435</AddressLine1>
          <City>Ukiah</City>
          <State>CA</State>
          <ZIPCode>95482</ZIPCode>
        </AddressUS>
        <TelephoneNumber>7078953243</TelephoneNumber>
      </TheBooksAreInCareOf>
      <ForeignFinancialAccount>0</ForeignFinancialAccount>
      <ForeignOffice>1</ForeignOffice>
      <ForeignOfficeCountry>EC</ForeignOfficeCountry>
      <MaintainAnyDonorAdvisedFunds>0</MaintainAnyDonorAdvisedFunds>
      <DoesOrgHaveHospital>0</DoesOrgHaveHospital>
      <TanningServicesProvided>0</TanningServicesProvided>
      <RelatedOrgControlledEntity>0</RelatedOrgControlledEntity>
      <TransactionWithControlEntity>0</TransactionWithControlEntity>
      <EngagePoliticalCmpgnActivities>0</EngagePoliticalCmpgnActivities>
      <EngageInLobbyingActivities>0</EngageInLobbyingActivities>
      <OperatingSchool>0</OperatingSchool>
      <TrnsfrsExemptNonCharRelatedOrg>0</TrnsfrsExemptNonCharRelatedOrg>
      <PartVIOfCompOfHighestPaidEmpl>NONE</PartVIOfCompOfHighestPaidEmpl>
      <PartVIAHghstPaidCntrctProfSer>NONE</PartVIAHghstPaidCntrctProfSer>
      <FiledScheduleA>1</FiledScheduleA>
    </IRS990EZ>
    <IRS990ScheduleA documentId="R000002" softwareId="12000197" softwareVersion="v1.00">
      <PubliclySupportedOrg509a2>X</PubliclySupportedOrg509a2>
      <GiftsGrantsContribReceived509>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>34608</CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>25405</CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>24707</CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>146910</CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>
        <CurrentTaxYear>165718</CurrentTaxYear>
        <Total>397348</Total>
      </GiftsGrantsContribReceived509>
      <GrossReceiptsFromAdmissions>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>12200</CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>
        <CurrentTaxYear>16174</CurrentTaxYear>
        <Total>28374</Total>
      </GrossReceiptsFromAdmissions>
      <GrossReceiptsFromNonUBI>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>
        <Total>0</Total>
      </GrossReceiptsFromNonUBI>
      <TaxRevLeviedForOrgBenefit509>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>
        <Total>0</Total>
      </TaxRevLeviedForOrgBenefit509>
      <ValueOfSvcsFcltsFurnishdByGovt>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>
        <Total>0</Total>
      </ValueOfSvcsFcltsFurnishdByGovt>
      <Total509>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>34608</CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>25405</CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>24707</CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>159110</CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>
        <CurrentTaxYear>181892</CurrentTaxYear>
        <Total>425722</Total>
      </Total509>
      <PublicSupportTotal509>425722</PublicSupportTotal509>
      <GrossInvestmentIncome509>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>
        <Total>0</Total>
      </GrossInvestmentIncome509>
      <Post1975UBTI>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>
        <Total>0</Total>
      </Post1975UBTI>
      <InvestmentIncomeAndUBTI>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>
        <CurrentTaxYear>0</CurrentTaxYear>
        <Total>0</Total>
      </InvestmentIncomeAndUBTI>
      <NetIncomeFromOtherUBI>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>
        <Total>0</Total>
      </NetIncomeFromOtherUBI>
      <OtherIncome509>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>0</CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>
        <Total>0</Total>
      </OtherIncome509>
      <TotalSupportTotal>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>34608</CurrentTaxYearMinus4Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>25405</CurrentTaxYearMinus3Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>24707</CurrentTaxYearMinus2Years>
        <CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>159110</CurrentTaxYearMinus1Year>
        <CurrentTaxYear>181892</CurrentTaxYear>
        <Total>425722</Total>
      </TotalSupportTotal>
      <PublicSupportPercentage509>1</PublicSupportPercentage509>
      <PriorYearSupportPercentage>1</PriorYearSupportPercentage>
      <InvestmentIncomePercentage>0</InvestmentIncomePercentage>
      <PriorYrInvestIncomePercentage>0</PriorYrInvestIncomePercentage>
      <ThirtyThreePercntTestsCY509>X</ThirtyThreePercntTestsCY509>
    </IRS990ScheduleA>
    <IRS990ScheduleB documentId="R000003" softwareId="12000197" softwareVersion="v1.00">
      <ContributorInfo>
        <ContributorNumber>RESTRICTED</ContributorNumber>
        <ContributorNameBusiness>
          <BusinessNameLine1>RESTRICTED</BusinessNameLine1>
        </ContributorNameBusiness>
        <ContributorAddressUS>
          <AddressLine1>RESTRICTED</AddressLine1>
          <AddressLine2>RESTRICTED</AddressLine2>
          <City>RESTRICTED</City>
          <State>RESTRICTED</State>
          <ZIPCode>RESTRICTED</ZIPCode>
        </ContributorAddressUS>
        <AggregateContributions>RESTRICTED</AggregateContributions>
      </ContributorInfo>
    </IRS990ScheduleB>
    <IRS990ScheduleO documentId="R000004" softwareId="12000197" softwareVersion="v1.00">
      <GeneralExplanation>
        <Identifier>F99Z_P01_S00_L10</Identifier>
        <ReturnReference>Form 990-EZ, Part I, Line 10</ReturnReference>
        <Explanation>Grants and similar amounts paid - Common Vision $50,000, Organic Consumers Association $500, Mendocino Environmental Center $2,900, SherpaCares $11,500, TAP into Abundance $294, Share Jerusalem Project $174, Anderson Valley Food Shed $875, Hendy Woods State Park $500, InforAmazon $1,283, Cambugan Conservation Campaign, $45,620</Explanation>
      </GeneralExplanation>
      <GeneralExplanation>
        <Identifier>F99Z_P01_S00_L16</Identifier>
        <ReturnReference>Form 990-EZ, Part I, Line 16</ReturnReference>
        <Explanation>Educational Workshop fee Expense 900.00, Travel $1968</Explanation>
      </GeneralExplanation>
    </IRS990ScheduleO>
  </ReturnData>
</Return>