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Chocorua Lake Conservancy

EIN 02-0277083 · Tamworth, NH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PRESERVE THE ECOSYSTEM AND PRISTINE WATERS OF CHOCORUA LAKE, PROTECT THE NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION VALUES OF THE CHOCORUA LAKE BASIN, MAINTAIN TRAILS ON MOUNT CHOCORUA AND SURROUNDING LANDS, AND PROVIDE WELCOMING ACCESS TO CHOCORUA LAKE FOR NEARBY RESIDENTS, VISITORS, AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Income
$728,027
Spending
$652,235
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
55.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
9
Volunteers
170

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 55.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 92% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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, 2024, 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. $91,607 spent. PUBLIC LAKE ACCESS, MANAGEMENT OF CONSERVATION PROPERTIES & WATER QUALITY MONITORING - MANAGED 800 ACRES ACROSS 17 PROPERTIES OWNED BY CHOCORUA LAKE CONSERVANCY (CLC) IN THE CHOCORUA LAKE BASIN, INCLUDING THREE PUBLIC LAKE ACCESS RECREATIONAL AREAS OPEN TO ALL AND VISITED MORE THAN 100,000 PEOPLE YEARLY. STAFF INSPECTED THESE AREAS TWICE-DAILY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, FROM MAY THROUGH OCTOBER TO KEEP THEM CLEAN OF TRASH. PROVIDED THREE PORTABLE TOILETS FOR USE BY VISITORS. RECRUITED, TRAINED, AND MANAGED 90 VOLUNTEERS TO HELP MAINTAIN CLC PUBLIC ACCESS AREAS - SPREADING WOOD CHIPS TO PROTECT TREE ROOTS, REMOVING INVASIVE PLANTS, CREATING WILDLIFE HABITAT, MULCHING NATIVE PLANTINGS, AND MAINTAINING 24 MILES OF HIKING AND WALKING TRAILS ON MOUNT CHOCORUA, MOUNT PAUGUS, AND CLC CONSERVATION LANDS. MONITORED WATER QUALITY IN CHOCORUA LAKE BI-WEEKLY FROM MAY TO OCTOBER.
  2. $88,490 spent. EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND MEMBERSHIP - ORGANIZED MORE THAN 50 EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS ATTENDED BY OVER 1,400 PEOPLE. ENGAGED 170 VOLUNTEERS WHO CONTRIBUTING 1,400 HOURS TOWARD FULFILLING CLC'S MISSION. HELD OUTDOOR NATURE EXPLORATIONS AND WORKSHOPS ON DIVERSE TOPICS IN ECOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY, INCLUDING REGULAR PROGRAMS AIMED AT CHILDREN 3 TO 9 YEARS OF AGE. PUBLISHED TWO PRINT NEWSLETTERS SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT CLC'S WORK AND STEWARDSHIP OF THE CHOCORUA LAKE BASIN, ALONG WITH MONTHLY E-NEWS TO 1,900 SUBSCRIBERS. HELD 'WINTER FEST' COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENT ATTENDED BY 140 PEOPLE. BROADENED BASE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO 706 HOUSEHOLDS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES ACROSS 81 NEW HAMPSHIRE TOWNS AND 32 STATES.
  3. $273,547 spent. LAND CONSERVATION VISITED 94 PRIVATELY-OWNED PROPERTIES COVERING 2,500 ACRES PROTECTED BY CLC PERPETUAL COVENANTS, CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, AND DEED RESTRICTIONS. TRAINED 20 VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARDS AND MONITORS TO HELP MAINTAIN 17 CLC-OWNED CONSERVATION PROPERTIES. DURING 2024, CLC SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED THE FIRST PHASE OF A SHORELINE RESTORATION PROJECT ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF CHOCORUA LAKE. THIS PROJECT WILL PREVENT EROSION AND INCREASE RESILIENCY AGAINST INTENSE STORM EVENTS. ALSO DURING 2024, CLC BEGAN THE PROCESS OF REPAIRING THE 63-YEAR-OLD CONCRETE DAM AT THE OUTFLOW OF LITTLE CHOCORUA LAKE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2010.

    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 2024.

    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 August 2012.

    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.