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Weekapaug Foundation for Conservation

EIN 22-3018145 · Westerly, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WEEKAPAUG FOUNDATION FOR CONSERVATION PRESERVES THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IN OUR LOCAL POND COMMUNITIES. ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE PRESERVING OPEN SPACE, PROTECTING THE BARRIER BEACHES, ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND ENSURING THE INTEGRITY AND WATER QUALITY OF THE PONDS THEMSELVES.

Income
$471,871
Spending
$254,197
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
78.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 78.8 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 46% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (2)
  1. $88,699 spent. DURING 2024 THE WEEKAPAUG FOUNDATION FOR CONSERVATION WORKED TO PRESERVE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IN OUR LOCAL POND COMMUNITIES. OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE PRESERVING AND PROTECTING OPEN SPACE, RESTORING OUR LOCAL BARRIER BEACHES, AND WORKING TO ENSURE A HEALTHY ECOSYSTEM IN AND AROUND OUR PONDS. DURING 2024, THE FOUNDATION'S ACTIVITIES INCLUDED STEWARDSHIP OF THE VARIOUS PROPERTIES IN OUR CONSERVATION PORTFOLIO OF FEE-OWNED LANDS AND CONSERVATION EASEMENT HOLDINGS. ONE NEW STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITY INCLUDED WORKING WITH VOLUNTEERS TO BUILD OVER ONE HUNDRED LINEAR FEET OF MUCH NEEDED "BOG BRIDGES" FOR THE TRAILS AT OUR NOYES NECK PRESERVE. WE CONNECTED OUR TRAIL TO A TRAIL CREATED BY ANOTHER LAND PRESERVE CREATING THE ONLY PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION BETWEEN THE WEEKAPAUG AND HAVERSHAM COMMUNITIES. THE NEW BOARDWALKS CREATE A MORE INVITING AND ACCESSIBLE PATH THROUGH THE WOODED AREA BETWEEN OUR TWO COMMUNITIES. IN ADDITION TO THE NOYES NECK - HAVERSHAM TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS, THIS AREA SAW ONGOING MAINTENANCE OF ITS STONE WALLS AND FURTHER UPGRADES TO THE COMMUNITY AND POLLINATOR GARDENS. WE CONTINUED OUR WORK ON THE FEN, WITH PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE, FOR THE CONTINUED REMOVAL OF INVASIVE SPECIES FROM THIS ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA. WE INCLUDED THE COMMUNITY IN INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DELICATE PROCESS. THE FOUNDATION WAS EXCITED TO RECEIVE A GRANT FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THREE OSPREY NESTS ON ONE OF OUR PROPERTIES. THE PROCESS OF PERMITTING, CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF THOSE STRUCTURES WAS WELL UNDERWAY BY END OF THE YEAR. THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF 2024, THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO RENEW ITS COMMUNITY PRESENCE BY GENEROUSLY FUNDING ITS DUMOUCHEL AND HOFFMAN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE SUPPORT OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND. DURING 2024 THE WEEKAPAUG FOUNDATION FOR CONSERVATION WORKED TO PRESERVE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IN OUR LOCAL POND COMMUNITIES. OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE PRESERVING AND PROTECTING OPEN SPACE, RESTORING OUR LOCAL BARRIER BEACHES, AND WORKING TO ENSURE A HEALTHY ECOSYSTEM IN AND AROUND OUR PONDS. DURING 2024, THE FOUNDATION'S ACTIVITIES INCLUDED STEWARDSHIP OF THE VARIOUS PROPERTIES IN OUR CONSERVATION PORTFOLIO OF FEE-OWNED LANDS AND CONSERVATION EASEMENT HOLDINGS. ONE NEW STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITY INCLUDED WORKING WITH VOLUNTEERS TO BUILD OVER ONE HUNDRED LINEAR FEET OF MUCH NEEDED "BOG BRIDGES" FOR THE TRAILS AT OUR NOYES NECK PRESERVE. WE CONNECTED OUR TRAIL TO A TRAIL CREATED BY ANOTHER LAND PRESERVE CREATING THE ONLY PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION BETWEEN THE WEEKAPAUG AND HAVERSHAM COMMUNITIES. THE NEW BOARDWALKS CREATE A MORE INVITING AND ACCESSIBLE PATH THROUGH THE WOODED AREA BETWEEN OUR TWO COMMUNITIES. IN ADDITION TO THE NOYES NECK - HAVERSHAM TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS, THIS AREA SAW ONGOING MAINTENANCE OF ITS STONE WALLS AND FURTHER UPGRADES TO THE COMMUNITY AND POLLINATOR GARDENS. WE CONTINUED OUR WORK ON THE FEN, WITH PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE, FOR THE CONTINUED REMOVAL OF INVASIVE SPECIES FROM THIS ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREA. WE INCLUDED THE COMMUNITY IN INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DELICATE PROCESS. THE FOUNDATION WAS EXCITED TO RECEIVE A GRANT FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THREE OSPREY NESTS ON ONE OF OUR PROPERTIES. THE PROCESS OF PERMITTING, CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF THOSE STRUCTURES WAS WELL UNDERWAY BY END OF THE YEAR. THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF 2024, THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO RENEW ITS COMMUNITY PRESENCE BY GENEROUSLY FUNDING ITS DUMOUCHEL AND HOFFMAN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE SUPPORT OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND.
  2. $116,773 spent. IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED AN ENDOWED MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN CONSERVATION. THE FUND WILL SUPPORT A SCHOLARSHIP FOR DESERVING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS WITH A DEMONSTRATED CONSERVATION ETHIC AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT ENROLLED IN THE COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND LIFE SCIENCES. RECIPIENTS SHALL BE FROM WASHINGTON COUNTY, RHODE ISLAND WITH A PREFERENCE TO STUDENTS FROM WESTERLY AND CHARLESTOWN.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 April 1994.

    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 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.