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Weconservepa

EIN 23-2789029 · Harrisburg, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WECONSERVEPA HELPS PEOPLE PROTECT, WISELY USE, AND ENJOY WHAT NATURE OFFERS. WE ADVOCATE FOR PRO-CONSERVATION, LIFE SUSTAINING GOVERNMENT POLICY. WE ASSIST INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN CONSERVING NATURAL AREAS, FARMS, FORESTS, PARKS, URBAN GARDENS, AND OTHER GREEN SPACES THAT SAFEGUARD OUR DRINKING WATER, PREVENT FLOODING, PROTECT WILDLIFE, PROVIDE RECREATIONAL AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, AND PRESERVE SCENIC BEAUTY. WE FOSTER PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF CONSERVATION, PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES, AND CONNECT PEOPLE TO THE OUTDOORS.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
22 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 57%
Employees
6
Volunteers
240
Highest pay
$248,452, executive di

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or 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 (5)
  1. $722,704 spent. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE -- DIRECTLY ASSIST CHARITABLE CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND INDIVIDUALS IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND INCREASING THE QUANTITY OF LAND CONSERVATION WORK AND IN PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING PRACTICES TO IMPROVE THEIR COMMUNITIES; PROVIDE ASSISTANCE BY PHONE, EMAIL AND IN PERSON. RESEARCH, DEVELOP, AND UPDATE TECHNICAL GUIDANCE INCLUDING 165 ORIGINAL GUIDES REGARDING CONSERVATION, LAND USE PLANNING, AND OTHER TOPICS AND 28 MODEL LEGAL DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE AT LIBRARY.WECONSERVEPA.ORG. MAKE GRANTS TO LAND TRUSTS AND TRAILS GROUPS FOR CONSERVATION AND TRAIL-RELATED PROJECTS.
  2. $53,872 spent. CONSERVATION ADVOCACY -- ADVOCATE FOR PRO-CONSERVATION, LIFE-SUSTAINING GOVERNMENT POLICY IN THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT. ADVISE THE COURTS IN UPHOLDING CONSERVATION-FRIENDLY POLICIES CONSISTENT WITH OUR CONSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS. PROMOTE CONTINUED AND INCREASED STATE, FEDERAL, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT INVESTMENTS IN CONSERVATION-RELATED PROJECTS AND ENCOURAGE GOOD STEWARDSHIP OF NATURAL RESOURCES ALREADY CONSERVED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS. FOSTER PRODUCTIVE, ETHICAL, AND EQUITABLE LAND TRUST MOVEMENT AND INDIVIDUAL ORGANIZATION POLICIES AND PRACTICES.
  3. $322,563 spent. CONNECTING, TRAINING, AND INSPIRING. ORGANIZE AND DELIVER THE ANNUAL PENNSYLVANIA LAND CONSERVATION CONFERENCE, THE ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (EAC) NETWORK CONFERENCE, THE BIENNIAL PENNSYLVANIA GREENWAYS & TRAILS SUMMIT, AS WELL AS DOZENS OF FREE-STANDING SEMINARS, ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS, AND OTHER GATHERINGS, TO HELP PEOPLE HELP ONE ANOTHER, RECEIVE EXPERT TRAINING IN CONSERVATION, ENVIRONMENTAL, TRAIL, AND RELATED SUBJECTS, AND BE INSPIRED IN TAKING ON PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.
  4. $144,163 spent. OUTREACH AND EDUCATION. REACH OUT TO AND EDUCATE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS AS WELL AS THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON CONSERVATION. DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL CONTENT AND COMMUNICATE VIA E-NEWSLETTERS (E.G., CONSERVE LAND UPDATES, PROJECT & PEOPLE NEWS, GREENWAY & TRAIL NEWS) AND OTHER EMAIL, SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITES, PRESENTATIONS, AND PRINT PUBLICATIONS.
  5. OUTREACH AND EDUCATION. REACH OUT TO AND EDUCATE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS AS WELL AS THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON CONSERVATION. DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL CONTENT AND COMMUNICATE VIA E-NEWSLETTERS (E.G., CONSERVE LAND UPDATES, PROJECT & PEOPLE NEWS, GREENWAY & TRAIL NEWS) AND OTHER EMAIL, SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITES, PRESENTATIONS, AND PRINT PUBLICATIONS.

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 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 December 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 June 1996.

    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.