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Conservation Law Center Inc

EIN 20-2321854 · Bloomington, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CONSERVATION LAW CENTER PROVIDES LEGAL COUNSEL TO CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS USUALLY WITHOUT CHARGE, WORKS TO IMPROVE CONSERVATION LAW AND POLICY, AND OFFERS LAW STUDENTS A CLINICAL EXPERIENCE IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
22.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 46%
Employees
10
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$116,239, managing attorney

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 62% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 150% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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 February 28, 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 (1)
  1. $917,593 spent. CLC IS THE ONLY PUBLIC INTEREST ENVIRONMENTAL LAW FIRM IN INDIANA. WE ADDRESS THE STATE'S MOST PRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS THROUGH PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION, POLICY ADVOCACY, AND BY PROVIDING LEGAL SUPPORT TO FRONTLINE ORGANIZATIONS. CLC'S GROWING STAFF OF THIRTEEN FULL-TIME PROFESSIONALS CURRENTLY INCLUDES SEVEN ATTORNEYS EXPERIENCED IN THE PRACTICE OF REGULATORY, CONSERVATION, AND LAND USE LAW. CLC'S CORE MISSION IS TO PROVIDE PRO BONO REPRESENTATION TO CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS ENGAGED IN PROTECTING CLEAN WATER AND NATURAL HABITAT, AS WELL AS TO NONPROFITS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS TACKLING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. WE ARE ALSO COMMITTED TO TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF PUBLIC INTEREST ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYERS THROUGH THE CONSERVATION LAW CLINIC AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY'S MAURER SCHOOL OF LAW. BY WORKING ON ACTIVE CASES UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF CLC'S ATTORNEYS, LAW STUDENTS DEVELOP ESSENTIAL LAWYERING SKILLS NEEDED TO NAVIGATE COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATORY PROCESSES. THE CLINIC ALSO EXPOSES PARTICIPATING LAW STUDENTS TO THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN PERVASIVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND THE BROADER SOCIO-ECONOMIC, POLITICAL, AND CULTURAL CONTEXTS IN WHICH THEY OCCUR.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 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 February 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 February 2006.

    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.

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