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Hudson Highlands Land Trust Inc

EIN 13-3528266 · Garrison, 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

The Hudson Highlands Land Trust conserves and cares for the lands and waters of the Hudson Highlands so that people and nature can flourish together for generations to come. (Continued on Schedule O)Our mission supports a vision of the Hudson Highlands, where wildlife thrives in a healthy, connected, climate-resilient landscape and people enjoy equitable access to nature's benefits. We cannot achieve this vision alone. HHLT engages in inclusive and creative partnerships across the Highlands region to ensure we address the interconnected needs of the human and natural communities we serve.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
10
Volunteers
106
Highest pay
$158,129, executive director

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

Financial health

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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

    26 of 26 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 September 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. $148,271 spent. Land Conservation: The Land Trust's primary focus is conserving land to protect natural resources, climate resilience, ecological integrity, and the Hudson Highlands' scenic landscape for the benefit of the public. At September 30, 2025 HHLT held 94 conservation easements protecting 2,594 acres of land and owned an additional 1,310 acres, including Granite Mountain Preserve, Canopus Creek Preserve, Humble Bee Hollow Preserve, Lane Gate Preserve, a former farm/camp, and a buffer to Peekskill's Wiccopee Reservoir. We have also helped other conservation organizations and partners conserve thousands more acres. All of HHLT's land conservation services are provided for the benefit of the resident public and several million visitors to this federally recognized region.
  2. $283,555 spent. Stewardship and Natural Resources Protection: HHLT is involved in a variety of program initiatives focused on stewardship and natural resouce protection. In addition to active stewardship and defense of our conservation portfolio, we work with partners to address issues as diverse as invasive species management, drinking water protection, biodiversity conservation, and safeguarding resilient/connected natural areas.
  3. $375,322 spent. Outreach and Education: Through the Organization's outreach events and programs, HHLT seeks to create public awareness on a number of issues (including land conservation, flora/fauna biodiversity, climate resilience, and connectivity), and celebrates the natural splendor of the Hudson Highlands with community members of all ages. Our outreach programming aims to instill a sense of the importance of stewardship in residents and visitors to the Hudson Highlands, through a diverse array of activities and events. Major outreach programs include: free webinars and training, hikes and volunteer days on conserved properties, and partnerships with trail groups to educate the many visitors to our area about our natural resources.
  4. $133,427 spent. Public Policy and Planning: HHLT works with local municipalities on planning initiatives to document their important natural resources and beloved open spaces, then help them plan ways to achieve an optimal balance between protection and development. This is accomplished through things like community preservation plans, natural resource and open space inventories, as well as water resource studies that can be used as tools to guide municipal planning. Further, HHLT also founded and coordinates the "New York Highlands Network" - a coalition of land trusts and government agencies that conserve land throughout the New York Highlands.In addition to its work in the primary areas of land conservation, stewardship/natural resource protection, public policy/planning, and outreach and education, HHLT also works to build greater inclusivity of people of diverse backgrounds into our work.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 October 13, 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 September 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 June 1994.

    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 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.