Tregaron Conservancy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To restore and maintain 13 acres of historic landscape.
- Income
- $731,708
- Spending
- $311,116
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 65%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 110
- Highest pay
- $82,917, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 57% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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)
- $234,954 spent. In 2025, the Tregaron Conservancy continued to pursue its mission to restore, rehabilitate and maintain its historically landmarked property, inspired by landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman's original, early 20th century designs, for the benefit of the public. The Conservancy's landscape stewardship work in 2025 included the following: mapping, tagging, inventorying and evaluating over 800 trees on Tregaron property; designing and planting historically inspired "wild gardens," featuring predominantly native trees, shrubs, and perennials; maintaining trails; improving storm-water management; and clearing non-native vines and other invasive species. The Conservancy continued to manage and improve its native grass and wildflower meadows. The Conservancy also worked with its arborists and professional maintenance crew to undertake tree care and pruning. Extensive tree removal work was performed as needed. The Conservancy's stewardship and historic rehabilitation work was performed under staff supervision, based on guidance in its cultural landscape report, and pursuant to an annual management calendar. The Conservancy landscape remained open to the public every day, dawn to dusk, during 2025. The Conservancy offered a wide variety of well-attended community programs free of charge in 2025, including bird walks, landscape design, climate adaptation and tree tours, music performances, tai chi, yoga, and programs for students, including guided nature walks and story-time. The Conservancy hosted visits by over 500 students from both under-resourced communities participating in the Horizons Greater Washington summer camp program and from local public elementary schools. The Conservancy also maintained a robust volunteer service program, with hundreds of hours contributed by volunteers, both adults and students.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 2025.
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 2007.
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 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.