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Scenic Hudson Inc

EIN 13-2898799 · Poughkeepsie, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Scenic Hudson was founded in 1963 when six community members came together to stop a massive power plant from defacing the iconic Storm King Mountain. (Please see Schedule O explaination for further context of Organization's mission statement.)

Income
$18.6 million
Spending
$13.5 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
46.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 47%
Employees
74
Volunteers
325
Highest pay
$635,834, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 46.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    33 of 33 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 June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $3.0 million spent. Connecting communities with the landscapes that shape them - Every piece of land conserved is not only an opportunity to protect our region's air, water, vistas, and wildlife, but also an opportunity for meaningful connection. That's why we are focused on creating beautiful parks and outdoor spaces where people can commune with nature and one another. We have more than 45 featured parks and have contributed to more than two dozen additional preserves, historic sites, and trails. In Kingston, Newburgh, and Poughkeepsie, we are keeping a special focus on urban conservation and farming to close the nature and fresh food gaps in the cities along the Hudson.
  2. $2.6 million spent. Protecting the health and vitality of the land that sustains us What started with a targeted push to save Storm King from an industrial project has evolved into the steady conservation of more than 50,000 acres of land across the region almost four times the size of the island of Manhattan. We remain committed to making the Hudson Valley a great place to live, work, and play by protecting and enhancing the region's great assets beautiful open spaces, working farms, and historic cities and town centers. Our work doesn't stop once land is conserved. We are leading innovative projects to protect the long-term health of Hudson Valley forests and increase regeneration.
  3. $2.2 million spent. Partnering to power and feed a changing Hudson Valley We are working to counter the threats from our warming planet to the beautiful landscapes, vibrant communities, and quality of life in the Hudson Valley by advancing the region's transition to renewable energy. We're also focused on sustaining the farmland that has defined and nourished this region for centuries. We have partnered with farmers to protect 23,000 acres on more than 150 farms over the last three decades. We also promote regenerative practices that not only reduce agricultural carbon emissions but support soil health and resiliency in the face of destructive flooding, droughts, and storms, helping farmers stay in business.
  4. $1.9 million spent. Innovating to create inspiring spaces and lasting solutions for generations to come - While much of our work is focused on preserving the natural treasures of the Hudson Valley, what sets us apart is our ability to see untapped potential and to back ideas with action. We've cleaned up more than a dozen industrial sites on both sides of the Hudson, from Yonkers to Albany including our new offices and community space at the Northside Hub in Poughkeepsie. Community powers our solutions, from community-led observation to bridge the data gap in urban ecosystems, to our 40-year campaign urging the Environmental Protection Agency to require General Electric to fully clean up PCBs in the Hudson River.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 2025.

    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 July 1977.

    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.