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The Rhode Island Association of Conservation Districts

EIN 05-0427057 · Johnston, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak29 out of 100GovernanceWeak42 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To attract public and charitable monies that can be used by the three State of Rhode Island conservation districts for their work in stewardship of the state's natural resorces through education, outreach, technical assistance and to assist and support the districts in their endeavors.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
1

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

Weak: 29 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 93% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 61% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (10)
  1. $1.4 million spent. East Providence Emergency Watershed Protection - to provide funds that allow the voluntary purchasing of flood-impacted homes at their pre-flood value in a flood prone area of East Providence, RI. Homes are demolished and a conservation easement is placed on the land to prevent further building in a flood-prone area and restore the natural floodplain.
  2. $207,479 spent. IRA
  3. $184,268 spent. AT535 - Providing technical assistance to farm and forest land owners.
  4. $165,773 spent. NACD Technical Assistance Agreement to provide outreach to farm and forest land owners.
  5. $103,328 spent. USDA 2501: Rhode Island's three conservation districts and their sub-grantee partners from Southside Community Land Trust and the RI Food Policy Council work to increase participation in USDA programming among historically underserved agricultural producers such as black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) producers, veterans, and those with limited English proficiency.
  6. $101,028 spent. PL 566 - floodplain reclamation in the Pocasset River watershed in Providence County.
  7. $90,283 spent. Outreach - to provide education and outreash to land owners about federal conservation programs.
  8. $40,816 spent. Middletown Emergency Watershed Proection program that allows the voluntary purchasing of flood-impacted homes at their pre-flood value in a flood prone area of Middletown, RI. Homes are demolished and a conservation easement is placed on the land to prevent further building in a flood-prone area and restore the natural floodplain.
  9. $8,798 spent. Dam Atlas
  10. $1,707 spent. Narragansett EWP

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 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 December 2024.

    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 January 2003.

    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.