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Southern Nevada Conservancy

EIN 20-0714837 · Las Vegas, NV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE IS TO ENHANCE VISITOR APPRECIATION AND ENJOYMENT OF NEVADA'S PUBLIC LANDS. THE ORGANIZATION USES COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA AND ENGAGES IN OTHER ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE THE UNDERSTANDING OF HISTORICAL, SCIENTIFIC, GEOLOGICAL, INTERPRETIVE AND OTHER ATTRIBUTES OF SUCH AREAS, INCLUDING RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND ITS MEMBERS.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 73%
Employees
63
Volunteers
1,637
Highest pay
$101,045, former executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 71% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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

    13 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.

  • 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, 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. $960,733 spent. EDUCATION AND INTERPRETIVE EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT GRANTS AND CONTRACTS WHICH ASSIST WITH OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS AT RED ROCK CANYON NCA AND THE CALIFORNIA TRAIL INTERPRETIVE CENTER.
  2. $224,579 spent. AID TO USDA FOREST SERVICE
  3. $990,128 spent. EXPENSES RELATED TO SALES BY THE CONSERVANCY TO ENHANCE THE UNDERSTANDING OF HISTORICAL, SCIENTIFIC, GEOLOGICAL, BIOLOGICAL, INTERPRETIVE AND OTHER ATTRIBUTES OF THE BUREAU OF LAND MANGEMENT SITES RED ROCK CANYON NCA AND CALIFORNIA TRAIL INTERPRETIVE CENTER, THE USDA FOREST SERVICE MANAGED SPRING MOUNTAINS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA AND THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE SITES CORN CREEK AND PAHRANAGAT ON THE DESERT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE COMPLEX.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 September 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 2004.

    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.