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Independence Conservancy Inc

EIN 25-1840358 · Industry, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PRESERVING OPEN SPACE BY ACQUISITION, EASEMENT OR DEED RESTRICTION TO PROTECT WILDLIFE HABITAT, NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES, SCENIC VIEWS AND QUALITY OF LIFE; PROVIDING STEWARDSHIP OF WATERSHEDS IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, SITE RESTORATION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.

Income
$394,362
Spending
$353,826
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
2.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
0
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$4,762, land steward

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $318,529 spent. Land Stewardship:Independence Conservancy is one of PAs 90 land trusts working to preserve open space and natural places for future generations. We have protected 52 acres by conservation easement and 47 acres by fee ownership. These lands help to preserve the rural character and environmental well-being of the Raccoon Creek watershed. Preserved lands include the JB2 Abandoned Mine Discharge Treatment System near Burgettstown,PA which removes 62 tons of iron and aluminum yearly from Raccoon Creek; the Solar Mine and Treatment System near Bald Knob in Allegheny County which removes 96 tons of iron from St. Patricks Run; Red Oak Farm in Raccoon Twp., Beaver County which contains 44 acres of mature hardwood forest, open meadows and active crop land; Little Blue Wetland in Greene Twp., Beaver County which provides wildlife habitat and water quality values to the Little Blue Run Watershed; Rocky Bend Nature Preserve which contains 27 acres of riparian forest with 3/4 mile of frontage on Raccoon Creek, managed by the Independence Conservancy for low impact non-motorized public recreation. Independence Conservancy belongs to the Land Trust Alliance, a national network of nonprofit organizations
  2. $3,694 spent. Community Tire Collections:Provide convenient and economic solution to the problem of what to do with waste tires. Since 2004 have processed and properly disposed of over 66,000 scrap tires from municipal collections in Beaver and Allegheny counties. Seven public collections are offered each year in cooperation with host municipal governments. Independence Conservancy partners with other nonprofits and local businesses to hold yearly Raccoon Creek Watershed cleanups which have netted over 280 tons of illegally dumped trash and 25,000 tires since 1999.
  3. $5,554 spent. Environmental Education: Independence Conservancy conducts seasonal tours and events at Rocky Bend Nature Preserve where all are welcome to learn about trees, wildlife, watersheds,geology and local history. The Conservancy promotes passive treatment to restore streams impaired by abandoned coal mine drainage. The Conservancy offers technical assistance to local governments, industry, other nonprofits and the general public in abandoned mine reclamation techniques, stream bank restoration, riparian buffer installation, mitigation wetland construction and invasive plant control. The Conservancys website is home to the Raccoon Creek Region Conservation Plan, a blueprint for the wise use of natural resources within this 330 square mile region of Beaver, Washington and Allegheny Counties in Pennsylvania. Independence Conservancys websitealso hosts the Raccoon Creek Recovery study, a two year scientific investigation of the overall health of Raccoon Creek. The study will identify potential pojects to improve biodiversity and water quality

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 March 2000.

    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.