Peconic Land Trust Incorporated
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PECONIC LAND TRUST CONSERVES LONG ISLAND'S WORKING FARMS, NATURAL LANDS AND HERITAGE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.
- Income
- $28.1 million
- Spending
- $8.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 85%
- Employees
- 53
- Volunteers
- 145
- Highest pay
- $245,933, president
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 87% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 71% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 61% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 36% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 14 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
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $1.6 million spent. STEWARDSHIP MANAGES LAND, MONITORS AND ENFORCES CONSERVATION RESTRICTIONS ON PROTECTED PROPERTIES, AND PROVIDES LAND MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR LANDOWNERS. OUR FARMS FOR THE FUTURE INITIATIVE PROMOTES REGIONAL AGRICULTURE AND LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION INCLUDING A NEW FARMER INCUBATOR PROGRAM. STEWARDSHIP CENTERS ALSO INCLUDE SHELLFISHER PRESERVE, AN AQUACULTURE FACILITY THAT PROVIDES CLAMS, SCALLOPS AND OYSTERS FOR LOCAL BAYS. THE TRUST ANNUALLY STEWARDS APPROXIMATELY 4,150 ACRES OF FIELDS, WETLANDS, WOODLAND AND FARMS. MOST PRESERVES PROVIDE PUBLIC ACCESS, INCLUDING MILES OF WALKING TRAILS.
- $675,391 spent. CONSERVATION PROGRAMS ASSIST FARMERS AND LANDOWNERS IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ALTERNATIVES TO OUTRIGHT DEVELOPMENT THROUGH CONSERVATION PLANNING. THE PROTECTION OF WORKING FARMS, NATURAL HABITATS AND ECOSYSTEMS, HISTORICAL STRUCTURES AND LANDSCAPES, WETLANDS, AND WATERSHEDS PROVIDES COMMUNITIES WITH FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE, SAFE DRINKING WATER, CLEANER BAYS, SCENIC BEAUTY, STRONGER LOCAL ECONOMY, AND SO MUCH MORE. PROJECTS INCLUDE ACQUISITIONS OF LAND AND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. IMPORTANT NOTE: WHILE THE VALUE OF TOTAL ASSETS ON PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 20 IS SUBSTANTIAL, THIS NUMBER PRIMARILY REFLECTS THE DONATED VALUE OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS SINCE 1983 THAT ARE BOOKED AS PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED NET ASSETS AND ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE TRUST'S OPERATING EXPENSES.
- $840,092 spent. QUAIL HILL FARM IS LOCATED ON 35 ACRES OF PRESERVED FARMLAND AND OPERATES AS AN ORGANIC COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURAL (CSA) FARM WITH OVER 250 MEMBERS. IT ALSO PROVIDES FOOD TO LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND FOOD PANTRIES IN THE COMMUNITY WHILE EDUCATING ADVANCED FARM APPRENTICES IN ORGANIC FARMING PRACTICES AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.
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 November 6, 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 March 1989.
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 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.