Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Caring for the lands, waters, and communities of the Damariscotta-Pemaquid Region.
- Income
- $3.4 million
- Spending
- $2.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 67%
- Reserves
- -17.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 73%
- Employees
- 39
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $141,652, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 25% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1567% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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 June 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 (3)
- $890,317 spent. Conservation efforts center on the Damariscotta-Pemaquid Region, encompassing eight towns. As of 6/30/25, Coastal Rivers owns 106 preserves, holds 67 conservation easements, and co-manages more than 15 additional properties, together totaling more than 7,100 acres under permanent conservation. We work in partnership with private landowners, agencies, and other non-profits. Gifts of land and conservation easements from generous donors, as well as targeted purchases, help us grow and connect our network of conserved lands for public benefit - wildlife, water quality, scenic integrity, historical preservation, and public access.
- $537,300 spent. Operation and maintenance of two historic farm houses and surrounding land. These serve as nature centers, educational facilities, and administrative offices. In addition, these resources provide a community hub for the Damariscotta region, farmers' market, and central meeting space for nature education and community programs.
- $343,494 spent. Education, outreach, and marine and freshwater programs and materials, including the School for Field Naturalists and related programs. Connecting people and place is central to our mission. We are convinced that engaging youth and adults alike with the natural world in this exceptional region builds a stronger community of caring stewards dedicated to the integrity of the Damariscotta-Pemaquid Region.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 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 June 2025.
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 September 1973.
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.