Northwest Connecticut Land Conservancy Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
NORTHWEST CONNECTICUT LAND CONSERVANCY, INC. IS A NONPROFIT LAND TRUST THAT BENEFITS THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH EDUCATION AND THE CONSERVATION OF NATURAL AREAS, FISH AND WILDLIFE, AND WORKING FARMLAND THROUGHOUT NORTHWEST CONNECTICUT.
- Income
- $9.6 million
- Spending
- $2.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 92%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 96
- Highest pay
- $225,546, executive director and vp
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 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 74% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 69% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (4)
- $753,160 spent. STEWARDSHIP - THE LAND TRUST'S STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM ENSURES THE CONSERVED PROPERTIES ARE PROTECTED AND CARED FOR IN PERPETUITY. THE LAND TRUST'S STAFF PERFORM ANNUAL INSPECTIONS OF EACH CONSERVATION PROPERTY TO CONFIRM THERE ARE NO ENCROACHMENTS OR VIOLATIONS AND THE CONSERVATION VALUES ARE PROTECTED. THE LAND TRUST DEFENDS ITS CONSERVATION INTERESTS WHEN NECESSARY. IN ADDITION, THE LAND TRUST MAINTAINS 23 PUBLIC PRESERVES AND MANAGES, LEASES, OR PROTECTS THROUGH FEE OWNERSHIP AND EASEMENT 42 WORKING FARMS. STEWARDSHIP ALSO ENTAILS INVASIVE PLANT REMOVAL, BUILDING MAINTENANCE, ACTIVE PROTECTION FOR RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES, LAND MAINTENANCE, SUCH AS MOWING AND HAZARD TREE REMOVAL, AND WATER QUALITY TESTING AND PROTECTION.
- $936,889 spent. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH - THE LAND TRUST'S CONSERVED LANDS SERVE A RESIDENT POPULATION OF 200,000 PEOPLE. EACH YEAR, THE LAND TRUST PROVIDES FREE EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE. THESE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO NATURE AND HELP DEMONSTRATE BENEFITS OF NATURAL AND WORKING LANDS. THE LAND TRUST'S PROGRAMS INCLUDE GUIDED HIKES, LECTURES, AND OTHER FREE PUBLIC EVENTS. IN ADDITION, THE LAND TRUST PROVIDES INTERNSHIP AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WHICH INCLUDE EDUCATION AS A LEADING COMPONENT. THE LAND TRUST ALSO WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL LIBRARIES, SCHOOLS, AND EDUCATION-BASED NON-PROFITS TO REACH FURTHER INTO THE COMMUNITIES SERVED AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCUSSIONS ON ENVIRONMENTAL TOPICS FOR ALL AGES AND PHYSICAL ABILITIES.
- $284,933 spent. AQUISITIONS - AS CONNECTICUT'S LARGEST LAND TRUST AND THE 18TH LARGEST IN THE NATION, THE LAND TRUST PROTECTS 13,000 ACRES (AND GROWING) OF VAST, CONNECTED NATURAL AREAS IN LITCHFIELD AND NORTHERN FAIRFIELD COUNTIES. THE LAND TRUST'S CONSERVED LANDS INCLUDE 23 PUBLIC HIKING PRESERVES, 49 WORKING FARMS, OVER 3,000 ACRES OF HABITAT FOR RARE, THREATENED, AND ENDANGERED SPECIES, AND 45 MILES OF RIVERS, LAKES, AND STREAMS. THE LAND TRUST IS CONNECTICUT'S LAND ACQUISITION LEADER, PROTECTING MORE PROPERTIES FOR CONSERVATION EACH YEAR THAN ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION STATEWIDE. OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAND TRUST'S HISTORY, IT HAS CONSERVED, ON AVERAGE, 9 PROPERTIES A YEAR.
- $163,029 spent. THE LAND TRUST SAFEGUARDS NATURAL LANDS AND WATERS, CONSERVES WORKING FARMLAND, AND CREATES HEALTHY COMMUNITIES BY CONNECTING PEOPLE TO NATURE. IN WORKING TO ACHIEVE ITS MISSION, THE LAND TRUST INVESTS IN REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS THAT FOSTER CONSERVATION, SUPPORT THE WORK OF PARTNER LAND TRUSTS, TOWNS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND PROVIDE CONSERVATION BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITIES SERVED. ANNUALLY, THE LAND TRUST PROVIDES HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF STAFF SUPPORT TO ITS NONPROFIT AND GOVERNMENTAL PARTNERS FOR ACQUISITIONS, ADVOCACY, EDUCATION AND TRAININGS, EVENTS, GRANT WRITING, AND STEWARDSHIP. THE LAND TRUST'S STAFF SERVE IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS WITH THE CONNECTICUT LAND CONSERVATION COUNCIL, LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION COMMISSION, LITCHFIELD HILLS GREENPRINT COLLABORATIVE, AND WORKING LANDS ALLIANCE. THE LAND TRUST ALSO CONVENES MEET YOUR GREENS, LITCHFIELD COUNTY'S GREEN DRINKS, A MONTHLY GATHERING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS AND ENTHUSIASTS, ANDSMALL AREA LAND TRUSTS (SALT), A BI-ANNUAL MEETING OF PARTNER LAND TRUSTS, CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, AND AGENCIES TO DISCUSS ACQUISITION, STEWARDSHIP, GOVERNANCE AND OUTREACH ISSUES.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1966.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.