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Columbia Land Conservancy Inc

EIN 22-2757332 · Chatham, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE COLUMBIA LAND CONSERVANCY, INC. IS A NON-PROFIT LAND TRUST WORKING IN COLUMBIA COUNTY, NY TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO CONSERVE, APPRECIATE, AND ENJOY LAND.

Income
$5.8 million
Spending
$4.9 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
23
Volunteers
152
Highest pay
$171,404, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (5)
  1. $702,599 spent. PUBLIC CONSERVATION AREA MANAGEMENT: CLC OWNS 13 PUBLIC CONSERVATION AREAS (PCA). TEN PCAS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR HIKING AND OUTDOOR ENJOYMENT. THEY ARE MAINTAINED FOR WILDLIFE HABITAT, RECREATION, AND CLC'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, THE AREAS OFFER A DIVERSITY OF EXPERIENCES AND ECOSYSTEMS. THREE PCAS ARE NOT YET OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. CLC ALSO MANAGES ONE PUBLIC RESERVE FOR SCENIC HUDSON LAND TRUST, INC. CLCS PCAS ARE VISITED BY APPROXIMATELY 100,000 PEOPLE EACH YEAR.
  2. $383,207 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION: CLC WORKS TO COMMUNICATE ITS MISSION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WITH AN ACTIVE AND DIVERSE PROGRAM OF PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ADVOCACY FOR CONSERVATION VALUES. AMONG OTHER THINGS, CLC PROVIDES NUMEROUS INFORMATIONAL PROGRAMS TO COMMUNITY GROUPS, ISSUES FREQUENT PRESS RELEASES ABOUT THEIR PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS, MAINTAINS A SUBSTANTIVE AND ACTIVE WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PRESENCE. CLC ALSO OFFERS REGULAR OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO PROMOTE AN APPRECIATION FOR THE NATURAL RESOURCES AND LANDSCAPES WITHIN COLUMBIA COUNTY. IN 2024, CLC PROVIDED AN ARRAY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS AS WELL AS A VARIETY OF DIGITAL ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES VIA SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS AND OUR WEBSITE. CLC HELD 85 PROGRAMS SERVICING 3,294 INDIVIDUALS. COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION: CLC WORKS TO COMMUNICATE ITS MISSION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WITH AN ACTIVE AND DIVERSE PROGRAM OF PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ADVOCACY FOR CONSERVATION VALUES. AMONG OTHER THINGS, CLC PROVIDES NUMEROUS INFORMATIONAL PROGRAMS TO COMMUNITY GROUPS, ISSUES FREQUENT PRESS RELEASES ABOUT THEIR PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS, MAINTAINS A SUBSTANTIVE AND ACTIVE WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PRESENCE. CLC ALSO OFFERS REGULAR OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO PROMOTE AN APPRECIATION FOR THE NATURAL RESOURCES AND LANDSCAPES WITHIN COLUMBIA COUNTY. IN 2024, CLC PROVIDED AN ARRAY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS AS WELL AS A VARIETY OF DIGITAL ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES VIA SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS AND OUR WEBSITE. CLC HELD 85 PROGRAMS SERVICING 3,294 INDIVIDUALS.
  3. $2.8 million spent. LAND PROTECTION ACTIVITIES: CLC EMPLOYS A THREE-PRONGED PROGRAMMATIC APPROACH TO ITS LAND PROTECTION MISSION. CONSERVATION EASEMENTS: CLC HELPS FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS PROTECT PRIVATELY OWNED LAND WITH HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE BY CREATING, ACCEPTING, AND STEWARDING CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, ENSURING THE OWNER'S CONSERVATION VISION WILL BE UPHELD FOREVER. CLC CURRENTLY HAS 268 LANDOWNER RELATIONSHIPS UNDER THIS PROGRAM. SUPPORT OF LAND USE PLANNING & COMMUNITY PROJECTS: WORKING WITH MUNICIPALITIES, COMMUNITIES AND CONSERVATION GROUPS, CLC ENCOURAGES LAND USE PLANNING PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES THAT SUPPORT PROTECTION OF THE COUNTY'S RICH CONSERVATION RESOURCES AND HELPS TO IMPLEMENT LOCAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS, INCLUDING FUNDRAISING, ACQUISITION, SITE PLANNING, AND THE LIKE FOR CREATION OF PUBLIC OPEN SPACES, TRAINING OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AND VOLUNTEERS AND STEWARDSHIP OF LAND FOR HABITAT, RECREATION, AND EDUCATION. IN 2024, CLC'S OUTREACH EFFORTS SERVED APPROXIMATELY 507 INDIVIDUALS. SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURE: CLC BELIEVES THAT A STRONG AND VIBRANT FARM SECTOR IS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AN IMPORTANT CONSERVATION ASSET TO THIS AREA, WHERE CENTURIES OF FARMING HAVE LEFT AN INCREDIBLE MARK ON THE COUNTY'S LANDS, CONSERVATION RESOURCES, AND SCENIC ATTRIBUTES. CLC WORKS TO FIND WAYS TO SUPPORT AN ACTIVE AND RESURGENT AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES INCLUDING CONSERVATION MEASURES AND OTHER PROGRAMS TO HELP NEW FARMERS AND FARMERS WHO WANT TO EXPAND THEIR OPERATION ACCESS FARMLAND THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE UNACCESSIBLE TO THEM. THIS PROGRAM SERVED 541 PEOPLE IN 2024. LAND PROTECTION ACTIVITIES: CLC EMPLOYS A THREE-PRONGED PROGRAMMATIC APPROACH TO ITS LAND PROTECTION MISSION. CONSERVATION EASEMENTS: CLC HELPS FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS PROTECT PRIVATELY OWNED LAND WITH HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE BY CREATING, ACCEPTING, AND STEWARDING CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, ENSURING THE OWNER'S CONSERVATION VISION WILL BE UPHELD FOREVER. CLC CURRENTLY HAS 268 LANDOWNER RELATIONSHIPS UNDER THIS PROGRAM. SUPPORT OF LAND USE PLANNING & COMMUNITY PROJECTS: WORKING WITH MUNICIPALITIES, COMMUNITIES AND CONSERVATION GROUPS, CLC ENCOURAGES LAND USE PLANNING PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES THAT SUPPORT PROTECTION OF THE COUNTY'S RICH CONSERVATION RESOURCES AND HELPS TO IMPLEMENT LOCAL CONSERVATION EFFORTS, INCLUDING FUNDRAISING, ACQUISITION, SITE PLANNING, AND THE LIKE FOR CREATION OF PUBLIC OPEN SPACES, TRAINING OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AND VOLUNTEERS AND STEWARDSHIP OF LAND FOR HABITAT, RECREATION, AND EDUCATION. IN 2024, CLC'S OUTREACH EFFORTS SERVED APPROXIMATELY 507 INDIVIDUALS. SUPPORT FOR AGRICULTURE: CLC BELIEVES THAT A STRONG AND VIBRANT FARM SECTOR IS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, AN IMPORTANT CONSERVATION ASSET TO THIS AREA, WHERE CENTURIES OF FARMING HAVE LEFT AN INCREDIBLE MARK ON THE COUNTY'S LANDS, CONSERVATION RESOURCES, AND SCENIC ATTRIBUTES. CLC WORKS TO FIND WAYS TO SUPPORT AN ACTIVE AND RESURGENT AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES INCLUDING CONSERVATION MEASURES AND OTHER PROGRAMS TO HELP NEW FARMERS AND FARMERS WHO WANT TO EXPAND THEIR OPERATION ACCESS FARMLAND THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE UNACCESSIBLE TO THEM. THIS PROGRAM SERVED 541 PEOPLE IN 2024.
  4. $242,909 spent. EASEMENT STEWARDSHIP AND MANAGEMENT: CLC IS RESPONSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT THE GOALS OF EVERY EASEMENT CLC HOLDS ARE RESTRICTED IN PERPETUITY. CLC MONITORS ITS EASEMENT PROPERTIES (31,407 ACRES AT 6/30/25) ANNUALLY (ALL ARE AERIALLY MONITORED AND/OR VISITED IN PERSON BY A STAFF PERSON IN ALTERNATING YEARS) TO ENSURE THE TERMS OF THE EASEMENT ARE BEING UPHELD AND APPROPRIATE ACTION IS TAKEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BEST PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND PRACTICES IF AND WHEN NECESSARY.
  5. EASEMENT STEWARDSHIP AND MANAGEMENT: CLC IS RESPONSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT THE GOALS OF EVERY EASEMENT CLC HOLDS ARE RESTRICTED IN PERPETUITY. CLC MONITORS ITS EASEMENT PROPERTIES (31,407 ACRES AT 6/30/25) ANNUALLY (ALL ARE AERIALLY MONITORED AND/OR VISITED IN PERSON BY A STAFF PERSON IN ALTERNATING YEARS) TO ENSURE THE TERMS OF THE EASEMENT ARE BEING UPHELD AND APPROPRIATE ACTION IS TAKEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BEST PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND PRACTICES IF AND WHEN NECESSARY.

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 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 November 6, 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 June 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 February 1987.

    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 November 4, 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.