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Wildlands Trust Inc

EIN 04-2973205 · Plymouth, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WILDLANDS TRUST WORKS THROUGHOUT SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS TO CONSERVE AND PERMANENTLY PROTECT NATIVE HABITATS, FARMLAND, AND LANDS OF HIGH ECOLOGIC AND SCENIC VALUE THAT SERVE TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES HEALTHY AND OUR RESIDENTS CONNECTED TO THE NATURAL WORLD.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
20.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
19
Volunteers
117
Highest pay
$186,430, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.4 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 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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

    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 (2)
  1. $1.2 million spent. STEWARDSHIP: THE ORGANIZATION REMAINED DEDICATED TO THE GOALS OF CONSERVING LAND AND PRESERVING THE NATURAL HERITAGE OF SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS, INCLUDING IMPORTANT HABITATS AND LANDSCAPES, WOODLANDS, FIELDS, PONDS, COASTAL AREAS, AGRICULTURAL LANDS, AND RIVER SYSTEMS. STEWARDSHIP WORK FOCUSED ON THE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR WILDLIFE HABITATS AND OTHER CONSERVATION LANDS. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED TO SPONSOR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN AROUND THE REGION. WE HOSTED HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN ON FIELD TRIPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, LED TRAIL WALKS AND TRAIL RUNS, HELPED FARMERS TO PROTECT THEIR WORKING LANDS AND CONTINUE THEIR LIVELIHOOD, OFFERED TRAINING FOR MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES AND MENTORING FOR SCOUTING GROUPS AND YOUTH-AT-RISK.
  2. $12,010 spent. ACQUISITIONS: THE ORGANIZATION WORKED WITH LANDOWNERS TO PROTECT IMPORTANT CONSERVATION, DEED RESTRICTIONS AND AGRICULTURAL LANDS THROUGH PURCHASE, CONSERVATION, RESTRICTIONS AND/OR AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION RESTRICTIONS. SPECIFICALLY, THE ORGANIZATION PROTECTED 43 ACRES THROUGH CONSERVATION RESTRICTIONS.

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 September 2010.

    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.