The Monadnock Conservancy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO WORK WITH COMMUNITIES AND LANDOWNERS TO CONSERVE THE NATURAL RESOURCES, WILD AND WORKING LANDS, RURAL CHARACTER, AND SCENIC BEAUTY OF THE MONADNOCK REGION.
- Income
- $6.9 million
- Spending
- $1.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- 12.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 13
- Volunteers
- 85
- Highest pay
- $121,386, executive director through october 2024
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 73% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 78% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 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
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 September 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)
- $653,422 spent. LAND PROTECTION THE ORGANIZATION SECURED A PERMANENT CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON 46 ACRES OF FARMLAND. IT ALSO AMENDED A CONSERVATION EASEMENT TO ADD 133 ADDITIONAL ACRES TO AN EXISTING 312-ACRE CONSERVATION EASEMENT. THESE EASEMENTS PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC BENEFITS PROTECTION OF SIGNIFICANT WILDLIFE HABITAT AS IDENTIFIED BY THE N.H. WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE CORRIDORS EXPANSION AND CONNECTION OF EXISTING CONSERVED LAND CONSERVATION OF HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE SOILS THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR BOTH FARMING AND FORESTRY CONSERVATION OF LAND IDENTIFIED BY THEIR TOWNS AS BEING IMPORTANT FOR PROTECTION AND PROTECTION OF WATER RESOURCES, INCLUDING STREAMS, WETLANDS, AND GROUNDWATER AQUIFER. THE ORGANIZATION ACQUIRED FEE OWNERSHIP OF TWO PROPERTIES TOTALING 105 ACRES. THESE PROPERTIES PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC BENEFITS PUBLIC ACCESS PROTECTION OF WATER RESOURCES, SUCH AS STREAMS WETLANDS PROTECTION OF LAND WITHIN A WELLHEAD PROTECTION AREA FOR PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY PROTECTION OF SIGNIFICANT WILDLIFE HABITAT AND WILDLIFE CORRIDORS CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O LAND PROTECTION CONTINUED AND CONSERVATION OF LAND IDENTIFIED BY THE TOWN AS BEING IMPORTANT FOR PROTECTION. A STAFF MEMBER SERVED AS BOARD PRESIDENT OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE LAND TRUST COALITION NHLTC, AN ORGANIZATION THAT ADVANCES LAND CONSERVATION IN THE STATE THROUGH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, POLICY ADVOCACY, AND EDUCATION. SHE ALSO SERVED ON THE NHLTC GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE AND OUTREACH AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE. A STAFF MEMBER SERVED AS AN ASSOCIATE SUPERVISOR FOR THE CHESHIRE COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT, AS CHAIR OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE CONSERVATION COMMITTEE NHSCC, AND AS A MEMBER OF THE NHSCC-ADMINISTERED MOOSE PLATE CONSERVATION GRANT COMMITTEE. STAFF PRESENTED ABOUT LAND CONSERVATION TO LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOLERS. THE ORGANIZATION INITIATED NEW EASEMENT PROJECTS AND CONTINUED TO ADVANCE OTHER PROJECTS TOWARDS COMPLETION.
- $262,868 spent. CONSERVATION EASEMENT STEWARDSHIP THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED AND COORDINATED 14 VOLUNTEERS AND FOUR STAFF MEMBERS TO MONITOR 236 CONSERVATION EASEMENT-ENCUMBERED AND DEED-RESTRICTED PROPERTIES TOTALING OVER 21,000 ACRES. STAFF RESOLVED ONE SIGNIFICANT CONSERVATION EASEMENT VIOLATION INVOLVING A LANDOWNER REPLACING A STONE WALL THEY HAD REMOVED FROM THE EASEMENT BOUNDARY AND EIGHT MINOR VIOLATIONS INCLUDING DUMPING, NONCOMPLIANT STRUCTURES, TIMBER TRESPASS, AND CAMPING. STAFF REACHED OUT TO LANDOWNERS TO ARRANGE MONITORING VISITS, CONFIRM CONTACT INFORMATION AND DISCUSS CHANGES IN LAND MANAGEMENT AND OTHER USES, OFFERING TO MEET WITH THEM ON THEIR LAND AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, POINTING THEM TOWARD LAND MANAGEMENT RESOURCES SUCH AS TRAININGS, GRANTS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS. STAFF WORKED WITH LANDOWNERS ON 18 REQUESTS RELATED TO INTERPRETATION OF EASEMENT TERMS, EXERCISE OF RESERVED RIGHTS, AND LAND MANAGEMENT APPROVALS. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O CONSERVATION EASEMENT STEWARDSHIP CONTINUED STAFF WORKED WITH SURVEYORS TO RE-MARK BOUNDARIES ON SELECTED PROPERTIES TO ASSIST WITH ANNUAL MONITORING AND AVOID POSSIBLE FUTURE ENCROACHMENT ISSUES. STAFF CREATED A BASELINE DOCUMENTATION REPORT FOR ONE NEW CONSERVATION EASEMENT AND ONE CONSERVATION EASEMENT THAT WAS AMENDED TO ADD ACREAGE. THEY CONTINUED TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IN DIGITAL RECORD-KEEPING PROCEDURES IMPLEMENTED IN THE PRIOR YEAR. STAFF WORKED TO TEST AND DEVELOP PROCEDURES FOR REMOTE SATELLITE MONITORING OF CONSERVED PROPERTIES TO INCREASE MONITORING QUALITY AND CAPACITY. STAFF ALSO RESPONDED TO MANY PUBLIC INQUIRIES REGARDING TOPICS SUCH AS HUNTING, CAMPING, AND HIKING ON CONSERVED LAND AND MET WITH SEVERAL PROSPECTIVE BUYERS AND NEW OWNERS OF CONSERVATION EASEMENT-ENCUMBERED PROPERTIES.
- $99,753 spent. LAND MANAGEMENT AND RECREATION STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS MONITORED AND MANAGED LANDS OWNED BY THE MONADNOCK CONSERVANCY FEE-OWNED LANDS AND INCREASED RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES DURING THE 2025 FISCAL YEAR. STAFF MONITORED 28 FEE-OWNED LANDS, TOTALLING OVER 2500 ACRES. STAFF, INCLUDING ONE PART-TIME SEASONAL EMPLOYEE, WORKED ALONGSIDE 53 COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS TO MAINTAIN FEE LANDS. COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS INCLUDED INDIVIDUALS, A LOCAL BUSINESS, A CHARTER SCHOOL, AND A SUMMER CAMP. PROJECTS INCLUDED REMOVING AN OLD ICE SHACK, CLEARING FALLEN WOODY DEBRIS FROM PARKING AREAS AND TRAILS, REMOVING INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES, AND PLANTING NATIVE SHRUBS TO PREVENT SOIL EROSION. VOLUNTEERS ASSISTED IN CREATING NEW HIKING TRAILS AT ONE PROPERTY, ADDING ONE-HALF MILE OF TRAIL THROUGH TWO TOWNS AND INCORPORATING HISTORICAL AND NATURAL FEATURES. STAFF PLANNED AND MARKED THE ROUTE FOR A FUTURE TRAIL-BUILDING PROJECT THAT WOULD ADD A HALF-MILE SKIING AND WINTER SPORTS TRAIL TO A PROPERTY BORDERING A RESERVOIR. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O LAND MANAGEMENT AND RECREATION CONTINUED STAFF ENGAGED IN A VARIETY OF MANAGEMENT TASKS IN FY25. STAFF SUPERVISED THE CREATION OF A FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN AND NRCS-CONTRACTED TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ON A MULTI-PARCEL PROPERTY THAT WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BY A NATIVE INSECT OUTBREAK. STAFF FENCED OFF AND DESIGNATED AN OLD FIELD AS POLLINATOR HABITAT TO SUPPORT DOCUMENTED MONARCH BUTTERFLY POPULATIONS IN THE AREA. STAFF REMOVED HAZARD TREES AND ENLARGED THE PARKING AREA AT A POPULAR HIKING TRAIL. STAFF CONTINUED TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, INCLUDING LOCAL SNOWMOBILE CLUBS, THE STATE OF NH TRAILS BUREAU, NEW HAMPSHIRE FISH GAME DEPARTMENT, LOCAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, AND LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS INVOLVED IN TRAILS AND WATER BODY PROTECTION. CONSERVATION OFFICERS ASSISTED WITH RESOLVING INSTANCES OF ILLEGAL BAITING ON FEE-OWNED LANDS, UNAPPROVED GAME HUNTING CAMERAS, AND HUNTING TREE STANDS. STAFF UPDATED AND INSTALLED SIGNAGE ON MULTIPLE PROPERTIES TO DIRECT PUBLIC ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING CLOSING AN ISLAND TEMPORARILY TO VISITORS TO PROTECT LOON NESTING ACTIVITY. STAFF ALSO MET WITH LANDOWNERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT THE FUTURE COLLABORATIVE MANAGEMENT OF POPULAR HIKING TRAILS. STAFF HOSTED RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL EVENTS INCLUDING COMMUNITY HIKES, EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, AND OTHER EVENTS.
- Program Service Expenses 163,921, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 EDUCATION AND OUTREACH THE ORGANIZATION PUBLISHED AN ANNUAL REPORT, TWO PRINT NEWSLETTERS, AND MONTHLY ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS ABOUT LAND CONSERVATION IN SOUTHWESTERN NEW HAMPSHIRE. SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS ENGAGED MORE THAN 4,000 FOLLOWERS ON SUCH TOPICS AS THE REGIONS BEAUTY, HIKING, SMALL FARMING, LOCAL WILDLIFE, STAFF WORKING ON THE LAND, AND UPCOMING EVENTS. MULTIPLE PRESS RELEASES WERE SENT TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT THREE COMPLETED CONSERVATION PROJECTS, WHICH WERE PICKED BY LOCAL NEWSPAPERS BOTH IN PRINT AND ONLINE AND STAFF CONTRIBUTED TO OTHER PUBLISHED PIECES ON TRAIL MAINTENANCE AND THE IMPACT OF VOLUNTEERING. THE ORGANIZATION HOSTED FREE, PUBLIC OUTREACH EVENTS INCLUDING NINE STAFF-GUIDED HIKES, ONE SELF GUIDED HIKE, A WILDLIFE TRIVIA SERIES, AN IN-PERSON STORYTELLING EVENT, AND AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION EVENT AT A LOCAL PARK WHICH FEATURED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND CONSERVATION.
- Program Service Expenses 61,862, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 COMMUNITY CONSERVATION THE ORGANIZATION PLANNED AND LED A PROGRAM OF WEEKLY HIKES FOR LOCAL SENIOR CITIZENS DURING THE SPRING AND FALL OF 2025. THREE HIKES WERE HELD IN THE SPRING OF 2025 WITH A TOTAL OF 31 PARTICIPANTS, AND THREE HIKES WERE HELD IN THE FALL OF 2025 WITH A TOTAL OF 36 PARTICIPANTS. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION COLLABORATED WITH OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE A BIRDING WORKSHOP SERIES. FINALLY, THE ORGANIZATION COMPLETED A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN THAT WILL FUND A NEW STAFF POSITION DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ENGAGING IN COMMUNITY CONSERVATION EFFORTS AND PARTNERSHIPS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 May 1990.
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.