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Cornwall Conservation Trust Inc

EIN 06-1203660 · West Cornwall, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Acquisition or control and conservation of land in Litchfield County and the Town of Cornwall, Connecticut. To promote scientific study and educational endeavors. To use all the properties held or controlled for the benefit of the general public.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$104,961
Spent on programs
54%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
0
Volunteers
30

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 91% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 80% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    54% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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.

  • 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, 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 (6)
  1. $1.0 million spent. Land acquisition - CCT accepted a donation of 65.269 acres of undeveloped land located on Johnson Road in the Town of Cornwall. The property's appraised value is $1,000,000 and Costs related to the acceptance of the donated land of $6,912, are capitalized. Total FMV + costs = $1,006,912.
  2. $47,240 spent. Stewardship expenditures: o Cornwall Conservation Trust's land manager works on mapping, staking, laying out trails and other stewardship activities relating to the Trust's properties. o Insurance on the Trust's properties; o Mapping; o Communication with members and townspeople, including enhancements to newsletter and invitations to townspeople to enjoy newly created trails. o Construction of viewing platform at Rattlesnake Preserve.Expenses $47,240.
  3. $41,700 spent. Ancillary land acquisition costs - Legal fees of $2,900, survey fees of $36,800 and appraisal fees of $2,000, associated with the anticipated land acquistions in future years. Total cost $41,700.
  4. $9,000 spent. The Trust awarded nine scholarships to Housatonic Regional High School graduates, who are enrolled or entering college to assist them in studies relating to conservation. Expenses $9,000
  5. Less surveying, appraisal, and legal fees associated with anticipated future land acquisitions capitalized $41,700.
  6. Less donated land acquisition capitalized.1,006,912

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 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 September 1987.

    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.