Central Pennsylvania Conservancy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Central Pennsylvania Conservancy (CPC) is to acquire, preserve, and protect local land and natural resources in a five-county, South-Central PA region. Our vision is to create a local network of permanently protected and preserved lands by fostering a community committed to conservation and acquiring key lands and easements.The organization is an accredited land trust with the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, a mark of distinction in land conservation. Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards of sound finances, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship. They uphold the public trust and ensure that conservation efforts are permanent.
- Income
- $2.7 million
- Spending
- $88,143
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 77.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 89%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $3,150, pres/interim ed
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 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 77.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 97% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 304% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% 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
Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 52% 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
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 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)
- $72,347 spent. Land Protection Program. CPC's Land Protection Committee directs the land protection activities of the organization within a five-county service area: Cumberland, Franklin, Perry, Dauphin, and Juniata Counties. CPC has prioritized the protection of key landscapes in our region: the Kittatinny Ridge Corridor and the South Mountain Landscape, targeting healthy forests, wildlife habitat, watershed and riparian protection, agricultural preservation, public access for outdoor recreation, and culturally important areas that define our natural heritage. The committee also oversees stewardship and annual monitoring of 31 conservation easement properties and 5 nature preserves. During 2024, CPC purchased 900+ acres of Camp Tuckahoe that will be transferred from CPC to DCNR and related entities for public use.
- Letort Spring Garden Preserve. In 2018, CPC acquired and is now actively managing its flagship nature preserve, the Letort Spring Garden Preserve. This former commercial watercress farm consists of springs, seeps, headwaters, meadows, and forest buffer to the Letort Spring Run, a coldwater limestone stream important to fly anglers, naturalists, historians, and local residents. CPC aims to manage and improve the site for public access, recreation, historic preservation, interpretation, and ecological health and function.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1982.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.