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South Hero Land Trust Inc

EIN 04-3391477 · South Hero, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LAND CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. THE SOUTH HERO LAND TRUST IS DEDICATED TO PROTECTING FARMLAND, WOODLAND, NATURAL AND RECREATIONAL AREAS AND OPEN SPACES IN SOUTH HERO, VERMONT.

Income
$366,492
Spending
$294,946
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
47.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
4
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$57,401, executive director

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 47.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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 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 (2)
  1. $78,422 spent. LAND CONSERVATION - THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO WORK ON AN ONGOING BASIS TO CREATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH LANDOWNERS INTERESTED IN CONSERVING THEIR LAND. AFTER COMPLETING WORK ON A MAJOR CONSERVATION PROJECT IN 2014, THE LAND TRUST SPENT 2015, 2016 AND 2017 WORKING WITH SEVERAL LANDOWNERS ON POTENTIAL NEW CONSERVATION PROJECTS. IN 2017, THE SOUTH HERO LAND TRUST COMPLETED THE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FOR THE TRACY WOODS CONSERVATION PROJECT WHICH CLOSED IN JUNE 2018. THE SOUTH HERO LAND TRUST ALSO BUILDS AND MAINTAINS PUBLIC ACCESS TRAILS IN SOUTH HERO. THE LAND TRUST COMPLETED AND OPENED THE TRACY WOODS TRAIL IN 2019 AND WORKED TO IMPROVE PUBLIC ACCESS IN 2020 AND 2021. THE LAND TRUST CONTINUES TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY WITH OVER 400 MEMBERS.
  2. $127,671 spent. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH - THE SOUTH HERO LAND TRUST CONDUCTS A NUMBER OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDING "THE LAND, THE FARMS AND ME" WHICH PARTNERS WITH THE LOCAL SCHOOL, FARMERS AND PARENTS TO BRING LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN INTO CLOSER CONTACT WITH THEIR NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SURROUNDINGS. THE "SOUTH HERO LAND TRUST FARM INITIATIVE" SEEKS TO IMPROVE THE VIABILITY OF LOCAL FARMS THROUGH MULTIPLE PROJECTS INCLUDING THE CREATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE "CHAMPLAIN ISLANDS GROWN GUIDE TO AGRICULTURE", EVENTS AT THE FARMER'S MARKET AND PROMOTING NETWORKS WITH FARMERS THROUGHOUT GRAND ISLE COUNTY.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 1998.

    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.