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Land Conservancy of Adams County

EIN 23-2827874 · Gettysburg, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PRESERVE AREAS OF SCENIC, NATURAL, GEOLOGICAL, BIOLOGICAL OR HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE IN ADAMS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, THROUGH ACQUISITION OF FEE SIMPLE TITLE OR CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON IMPORTANT OPEN SPACE LANDS.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
7.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 58%
Employees
3
Volunteers
0

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $915,113 spent. ACQUIRED 5 QUALIFIED CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON 304 ACRES OF CONSERVATION PROPERTY IN ADAMS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
  2. $57,215 spent. PURSUED 21 ADDITIONAL QUALIFIED CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON 1,715 ACRES OF CONSERVATION PROPERTY IN ADAMS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, INCLUDING DRAFTING EASEMENTS, LEGAL REVIEW, APPRAISALS, SURVEYS, TITLE SEARCHES AND DOCUMENTATION OF CONSERVATION VALUES. THESE EASEMENTS WERE WORKS IN PROGRESS ON DECEMBER 31, 2025.
  3. $27,313 spent. MONITORED, INSPECTED AND ENFORCED 200 CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON 13,980 ACRES OF QUALIFIED CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROPERTY AND 1 FEE SIMPLE PROPERTY. AMENDED 1 EASEMENT.
  4. $40,215 spent. EDUCATIONAL AND OUTREACH SERVICES TO MEMBERS AND THE ADAMS COUNTY, PA, COMMUNITY AT LARGE. MAINTAINED AND PLANNED AN EXTENSION OF A PUBLIC HIKING TRAIL ON A PRESERVED PROPERTY.

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 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 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 September 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 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.