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Flanders Nature Center Inc Van Vleck Farm

EIN 06-0791823 · Woodbury, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Flanders' mission is to provide opportunities to appreciate nature's wonders and preserve land, inspiring lifelong learning about our natural world. Flanders' vision is to be a leading resource and destination of choice for environmental and outdoor education, research, land preservation and stewardship, farm experiences and arts activities, reflecting the needs of our changing and inclusive communities and evolving partnerships.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
-8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 48%
Employees
64
Volunteers
506
Highest pay
$98,793, executive dir.

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

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 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 (3)
  1. $577,337 spent. Education: Flanders is a destination of choice for nature,farm, and art activities, as well as next generation science standard aligned classes. In 2023, Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust provided year-round childrens science classes and educational workshops, including popular summer camps and academies. Over 500 children participated in summer and vacation programs. Thousands more participated in school day programs -either in-person field trips, Flanders at-your-school programs, or part of our new Live-Virtual programs. Flanders adult education and family offerings around the themes of art, farm, nature and conservation continued to grow.
  2. $120,667 spent. Land Stewardship: Flanders serves as the steward of 50 plus open space properties, totaling 2,423 acres in Woodbury, Middlebury, Bethlehem, and Southbury. We are dedicated stewards of the land and manage each property to retain its ecological habitat and ensure that the open space is protected for future generations to enjoy. In its role as steward, Flanders manages and monitors the properties each year while preserving their natural beauty and caring for the eco-system as a whole. These open spaces provide the community with wonderful places for quiet contemplation and low impact recreation including a number of terrific hiking preserves. Flanders maintains the health of its open spaces and nature preserves, so that the woodlands, wetlands and trails remain open for everyone to appreciate and respect, use and enjoy.
  3. $96,703 spent. Land Acquisition: Flanders continues to manage easement and fee holdings of 2,423 acres. Since 1973, through its land trust activities, Flanders works to retain the rural character, ecological integrity and quality of life in the greater Waterbury area.

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 November 6, 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 March 1964.

    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 November 4, 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.