The Clearwater Conservancy of Central Pennsylvania Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO CONSERVE AND RESTORE THE NATURAL RESOURCES THROUGH LAND CONSERVATION, WATER RESOURCES STEWARDSHIP AND ENVIRONMENTAL OUTREACH ACROSS CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA.
- Income
- $2.9 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 53%
- Reserves
- 45.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 77%
- Employees
- 16
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $60,516, executive director
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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 45.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 49% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 37% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1553% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 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 (3)
- $318,434 spent. CLEARWATER CONSERVANCY'S LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM CONSERVES ECOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT HABITATS IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA CLEARWATER PROTECTS AND ENHANCES BOTH THE QUALITY OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH STRATEGIC LAND CONSERVATION, PLANNING AND STEWARDSHIP. WE ARE ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION COMMISSION, A DISTINCTION THAT CONFIRMS ADHERENCE TO NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR EXCELLENCE AND ENSURES OUR CONSERVATION EFFORTS ARE PERMANENT TO DATE, CLEARWATER CONSERVANCY HAS CONSERVED NEARLY 11,000 ACRES OF LAND THROUGH FACILITATED LAND TRANSFERS, CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND OWNERSHIP, FOREVER PROTECTING UNIQUE HABITATS AND IMPORTANT LANDSCAPES.
- $326,395 spent. CLEARWATER'S WATER RESOURCE PROTECTION PROGRAM PROTECTS AND CONSERVES WATERSHEDS BY EMPLOYING SOUND SCIENCE AND BY WORKING HAND IN HAND AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL WITH LANDOWNERS AND THE COMMUNITY. WE IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF OUR STREAMS, RIVERS, AND GROUNDWATER FOR THE LONG TERM BENEFIT OF PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE. WE HAVE CLEANED UP MORE THAN 6 MILLION POUNDS OF ILLEGALLY DISPOSED TRASH, RESTORED FISH PASSAGE BY REMOVING THREE DAMS, RESTORED 26 MILES OF STREAM BUFFERS AND ACTIVELY MAINTAIN MORE THAN 45 STREAM-SIDE BUFFERS ON THOSE RESTORED SITES.
- $151,257 spent. CLEARWATER'S ENVIRONMENTAL OUTREACH PROGRAM PLACES HIGH VALUE ON THE HUMAN COMPONENT OF OUR LANDSCAPE. PRESERVING OUR LAND AND WATER FOR ALL SPECIES IS VITAL TO OUR WORK, AND PEOPLE PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN OUR LANDSCAPE. THE MORE PEOPLE KNOW AND EXPLORE NATURE, THE MORE THEY WILL TO DO KEEP IT HEALTHY. OUR OUTREACH AND EDUCATION APPROACH IS TO GET PEOPLE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN PROGRAMS LIKE OUR ANNUAL WATERSHED CLEANUP DAY, CENTRED OUTDOORS. IN 2024, MORE THAN 4,500 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN CLEARWATER'S PROGRAMMING.
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 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 November 6, 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 December 2024.
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 April 1982.
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 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.