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Berkshire Natural Resources

EIN 04-2430091 · Lenox, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEUDLE OBERKSHIRE NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL, INC. (BNRC) WORKS WITH THE COMMUNITY TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE NATURAL BEAUTY AND ECOLOGICAL HEALTH OF THE BERKSHIRES FOR PUBLIC BENEFIT AND ENJOYMENT. BNRC PLACES SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON KEEPING LAND PRODUCTIVE AND OPEN FOR PUBLIC BENEFIT, THROUGH INITIATIVES SUCH AS CREATING WALKING TRAILS, RESTORING WILDLIFE HABITAT AND SUPPORTING COMMUNITY-BASED AGRICULTURAL INITIATIVES. BNRC SEEKS TO ENSURE ALL FEEL WELCOME IN NATURE, AND THAT OUR WILD AND UNDEVELOPED AREAS ARE PROTECTED TO ENSURE HABITAT FOR ANIMALS, PLANTS, POLLINATORS AND OTHER SPECIES, AND TO PROMOTE CLIMATE RESILIENCE.

Income
$6.3 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
95.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
30
Volunteers
115
Highest pay
$179,075, president

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: 88 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 95.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 56% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% 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 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 (1)
  1. $1.7 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE OPROVIDE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE TO PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO PLACE LAND UNDER PERPETUAL PRESERVATION, WHETHER BY CONVEYANCE OF FEE OR CONVEYANCE OF INTEREST IN LAND, BY GIFT OR SALE; ACQUIRE LAND AND INTERESTS IN LAND BY GIFT OR PURCHASE FOR PERPETUAL CONSERVATION; PROVIDE INFORMATION, ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO GOVERNMENTAL CONSERVATION AGENCIES PURSUING PERPETUAL CONSERVATION ACQUISITIONS; MANAGE AND ENFORCE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS; MANAGE FEE-OWNED LAND FOR PURPOSES OF PUBLIC RECREATION, EDUCATIONAL ACCESS, WILDLIFE HABITAT, ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND AGRICULTURAL/SILVICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY; PROVIDE FORMAL AND INFORMAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES ON CONSERVED LAND; SUPPORT AND COLLABORATE WITH PUBLIC AGENCIES AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE MISSIONS COMPLEMENT BNRC'S.

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 June 1968.

    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.

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