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The Livestock Conservancy Inc

EIN 03-0270281 · Pittsboro, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROTECT AMERICA'S ENDANGERED LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY BREEDS FROM EXTINCTION.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$894,882
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
9.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
12
Volunteers
56
Highest pay
$82,308, interim 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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (4)
  1. $163,137 spent. SPECIES SUPPORT: THE LIVESTOCK CONSERVANCY DOCUMENTS AND PROMOTES RARE BREEDS AND WORKS AS A CATALYST TO REINTEGRATE THEM BACK INTO AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS. FAMILY FARMS RELY UPON THIS RESEARCH AND EDUCATION TO CHOOSE THE LIVESTOCK THAT WILL WORK ON THEIR FARMS. THE LIVESTOCK CONSERVANCY SERVES AS EXPERTS TO BEGINNING AND EXPERIENCED FARMERS ON TOPICS RELATED TO ENDANGERED BREEDS. THE SHAVE 'EM TO SAVE 'EM INITIATIVE PROMOTES WOOL FROM RARE-BREED SHEEP, WHICH HAS INCREASED PRODUCER SALES BY 60% WITHIN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
  2. $179,989 spent. BREED SUPPORT: THE LIVESTOCK CONSERVANCY MAINTAINS THE DEFINITIVE LIST OF ENDANGERED LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY BREEDS IN THE UNITED STATES. MORE THAN 1/3 OF THESE BREEDS WERE DEVELOPED IN NORTH AMERICA, AND THESE ARE OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE TO GENETIC CONSERVATION. SINCE 2013, FOURTEEN BREEDS HAVE GRADUATED FROM THE CONSERVATION LIST. THE LIVESTOCK CONSERVANCY WORKS WITH BREEDERS AND BREED ORGANIZATIONS TO SECURE RARE BREEDS THROUGH CONSERVATION BREEDING, BREEDER EDUCATION, STRENGTHENING BREEDER NETWORKS, AND CRYOPRESERVATION. THE LIVESTOCK CONSERVANCY SUPPORTS BREED ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH EDUCATION AND PEDIGREE REGISTRY SERVICES. MICROGRANTS PROVIDE FARM IMPROVEMENTS FOR GROWING FLOCKS AND HERDS OF RARE LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY BREEDERS OF ALL AGES. THIS WORK IS POSSIBLE THROUGH BROAD PARTNERSHIP WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS.
  3. $69,162 spent. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROVIDE FARMERS WITH KNOWLEDGE TO SECURE THE FUTURE OF ENDANGERED LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY. EDUCATION COVERS ALL FACETS OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION, BREEDING, AND MARKETING THROUGH BOOKS, VIDEOS, ONLINE MATERIALS, AND EVENTS. VIRTUAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES CONTINUE TO EDUCATE BREEDERS ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY. THE LIVESTOCK CONSERVANCY ALSO RAISED PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT ENDANGERED BREEDS THROUGH OUR INTERNATIONAL HERITAGE BREEDS WEEK IN MAY AND NUMEROUS PUBLIC-FACING EVENTS AND APPEARANCES IN MAINSTREAM MEDIA.
  4. $104,624 spent. MANY OF AMERICA'S ONCE COMMON FARM ANIMALS FACE EXTINCTION IF WE DO NOT TAKE ACTION NOW. RARE FARM ANIMALS REPRESENT AN IRREPLACEABLE PIECE OF EARTH'S BIODIVERSITY AND OFFER INCREDIBLE VARIETY THAT MAY BE NEEDED FOR FUTURE FARMS ROBUST HEALTH, MOTHERING INSTINCTS, FORAGING, AND THE ABILITY TO THRIVE IN A CHANGING CLIMATE. THESE FARM ANIMALS ARE A VITAL PART OF ENSURING FOOD SECURITY FOR OUR PLANET NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE.

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 September 7, 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 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 June 2025.

    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 November 1982.

    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.