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Hanover Conservancy

EIN 02-6011149 · Hanover, NH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE HANOVER CONSERVANCY, THE OLDEST LOCAL LAND TRUST IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, PROTECTS THE LAND AND WATERS OF OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH LAND CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY FOR CONSERVATION-ORIENTED PUBLIC POLICY.

Income
$572,999
Spending
$286,213
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
87 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
2
Volunteers
60
Highest pay
$97,776, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 87.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 50% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 59% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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)
  1. $73,758 spent. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH - THE HANOVER CONSERVANCY REACHES OUT TO THE COMMUNITY TO ENGAGE IT IN LAND CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP. A REGULAR CALENDAR OF 24 FREE EVENTS ATTRACTED OVER 1,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO GUIDED TRIPS ON CONSERVED LANDS AND INDOOR NATURE-ORIENTED PROGRAMS. THE CONSERVANCY CONTINUED TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN NEW VOLUNTEERS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ON IMPORTANT CONSERVATION ISSUES THROUGH ITS COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE, ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. WE ALSO EXPANDED OUR OFFERINGS OF SELF-GUIDED EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING THE SUMMER HANOVER TRAILS CHALLENGE AND HANOVER HIKES OF THE MONTH. WE OFFER A $2,000 SCHOLARSHIP TO A DESERVING HANOVER HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR WHO PLANS TO PURSUE ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE IN COLLEGE.
  2. $58,431 spent. LAND CONSERVATION - THE HANOVER CONSERVANCY PURSUES A GOAL OF PROTECTING AT LEAST 30 PERCENT OF OUR TOWN'S LAND AREA BY 2030, USING A CAREFULLY CRAFTED SET OF STRATEGIC CONSERVATION PRIORITIES CUSTOMIZED FOR EACH REGION OF OUR TOPOGRAPHICALLY DIVERSE TOWN. IN THE CONNECTICUT RIVER CORRIDOR, WE ACCEPTED THE GIFT OF A CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON NATHAN'S GARDEN, A BELOVED NATURALIZED SPACE NEAR DOWNTOWN. IN THE RURAL PART OF HANOVER, WE ARE NEARING COMPLETION OF A PROJECT WITH THE USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE TO PROTECT A PIECE OF VALUABLE AGRICULTURAL LAND. IN THE REMOTE, MOUNTAINOUS REGION OF HANOVER, WE MOVED QUICKLY TO SECURE A CONTRACT ON A 37-ACRE PIECE OF HIGH-CLIMATE-RESILIENT LAND ABUTTING OUR OWN PROTECTED LANDS AND THE FEDERAL APPALACHIAN TRAIL CORRIDOR. THIS PURCHASE WAS COMPLETED JUST AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE FISCAL YEAR. IN THIS REGION OF TOWN, WE ALSO SOLD A PIECE OF PRIME AGRICULTURAL LAND AFTER PLACING CONSERVATION RESTRICTIONS ON IT AND ARE PREPARING TO ACCEPT THE GIFT OF 92 ACRES OF VALUABLE MOUNTAINSIDE WILDLIFE HABITAT. WE CONTINUED WORK ON THREE PROJECTS TO EXPAND THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CORRIDOR AND PROTECT VALUABLE HABITAT WITH A CONSERVATION PARTNER.
  3. $58,851 spent. LAND STEWARDSHIP - THE CONSERVANCY HAS EIGHT FEE LAND HOLDINGS, INCLUDING THE 112-ACRE MINK BROOK NATURE PRESERVE, THE 113-ACRE GREENSBORO RIDGE NATURAL AREA, 22 ACRES AT THE BALCH HILL NATURAL AREA, THE 38-ACRE LOWER SLADE BROOK NATURAL AREA, THE 92-ACRE MAYOR-NILES FOREST, THE 79-ACRE BRITTON FOREST, THE 140-ACRE HEADWATERS FOREST, AND THE 1.5-ACRE TUNIS BROOK MILL LOT, SOON TO BE JOINED BY THE 37-ACRE HEWES RAVINE AND 92-ACRE BLACK BEAR GLEN. ALL ARE MANAGED TO PROTECT THE NATURAL FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE LAND, PROMOTE CLIMATE CHANGE RESILIENCE, AND ALLOW PUBLIC RECREATIONAL ACCESS. THE CONSERVANCY ALSO HOLDS AND MONITORS CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND DEED RESTRICTIONS ON AN ADDITIONAL 576.9 ACRES AND MANAGES NEARLY 20 MILES OF PUBLIC TRAILS. SIGNAGE, TRAIL MAPS, AND AN EXTENSIVE WEBSITE HELP THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF THESE LANDS AND HOW THEY MAY BE ENJOYED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 2026.

  2. 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1966.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.