Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Westerly Land Trust

EIN 22-2864907 · Westerly, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 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 WESTERLY LAND TRUST CONSERVES OPEN SPACE, REVITALIZES CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT PROPERTIES, AND PROVIDES ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS FOR THE ENDURING BENEFIT OF OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$898,650
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
-7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
6
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$152,869, 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

Weak: 40 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 66% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Strong: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 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 (3)
  1. $94,376 spent. THE WESTERLY LAND TRUST, A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION, OPERATES THROUGHOUT WESTERLY TO CONSERVE SPACE AND ENHANCE COMMUNITY RESOURCES. SPECIFIC PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE PRESERVATION OF OPEN SPACE, REHABILITATION AND REDEVELOPMENT OF ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOODS, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF EDUCATION AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC. THE TRUST'S PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES ARE DIRECTED TO THE PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT, AGRICULTURE, AND WATER RESOURCES AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY'S "SENSE OF PLACE." WESTERLY IS RECOGNIZED AS A PLACE WITH SPECIAL CHARM AND ATTRACTIONS WHICH ARE A SOURCE OF PRIDE TO ITS RESIDENTS AND A MAGNET FOR TOURISTS AND NEW RESIDENTS. THE TRUST AIMS TO PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN THAT REPUTATION.
  2. $394,851 spent. THE LAND TRUST CURRENTLY HOLDS 32 PROPERTIES TOTALING MORE THAN 1,900 ACRES. THE MOST RECENT ACQUISITIONS WERE CAMP QUEQUATUCK IN DECEMBER 2025. IN 2004, THE WESTERLY LAND TRUST EXPANDED ITS MISSION TO INCLUDE RE-DEVELOPMENT OF BLIGHTED COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES IN AREAS OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE IN DOWNTOWN WESTERLY. THE CONCEPT IS THAT SMART GROWTH WILL BENEFIT THE TOWN AND REDUCE DEVELOPMENT PRESSURE ON ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS. IN ADDITION TO THE HISTORIC UNITED THEATER, MONTGOMERY WARD, AND INDUSTRIAL TRUST BUILDINGS, THE LAND TRUST AND ITS PARTNERS OWN PROPERTIES BETWEEN MAIN STREET AND THE PAWCATUCK RIVER. AS PART OF WLT'S 2023 STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS, THE BOARD AND STAFF EXTENDED THE URBAN INITIATIVE TO INCLUDE MORE THAN JUST DOWNTOWN, WITH THE NEW GOAL READING: TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO NATURE FOR EVERYONE, WLT WILL CONTINUE TO STEWARD OUR CURRENT URBAN PROPERTIES AND WORK TO CONSERVE GREEN SPACES IN OTHER DEVELOPED AREAS OF WESTERLY.
  3. $158,267 spent. SINCE 2016, THE WESTERLY LAND TRUST HAS PRIORITIZED YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AS A CRITICAL OBJECTIVE. THIS CAME IN THE FORM OF FIELD TRIPS AND CLASSROOM SESSIONS, BUT COVID ALTERED THE TRAJECTORY AND OPENED MINDS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF OUTDOOR LEARNING. LIVING LABORATORIES CAME TO LIFE DURING THE PANDEMIC TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO EXPERIENCE NATURE TOGETHER, AND THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN GROWING AND EVOLVING EVER SINCE. TODAY LIVING LABORATORIES IS A MUCH NEEDED AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER OPTION THAT COMBINES SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL ELEMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY. ALL YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED FREE OF CHARGE TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. IN 2025 THE LAND TRUST BEGAN OFFERING TAILORED PROGRAMS FOR HOMESCHOOL GROUPS. WLT PRIORITIZES PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER LOCAL NON-PROFITS TO EXPAND OUR REACH AND OFFERINGS.

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

  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 December 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 1988.

    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.