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Texas Agricultural Land Trust

EIN 26-0161807 · San Antonio, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

See Schedule O

Income
$27.8 million
Spending
$23.4 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
12
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$173,759, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 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 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 130% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 March 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 (2)
  1. $22.3 million spent. TALT conserves working lands through voluntary conservation easements that allow landowners to retain ownership and management of their property while permanently limiting development. These easements protect agricultural viability, open space, and natural resources, while also serving as valuable tools for estate planning and reinvestment in land operations. Easements may be donated, purchased, or structured as a combination of both. TALT provides expert support throughout the easement process, offering professional, efficient, and responsive service. Once an easement is completed, TALT assumes responsibility for annual stewardship monitoring. (See Schedule O for continuation) (Continued from Part III) Our program is guided by best practices from the Land Trust Alliance (LTA) and the Partnership of Rangeland Trusts (PORT), and TALT has been nationally accredited since 2013 by LTA for meeting the highest standards in conservation. In the tax year, TALT closed 6 new conservation easements, bringing the total acreage under easement to over 286,000 acres. This milestone reinforces TALT's role as the largest state-based land trust in Texas and highlights our commitment to protecting the state's agricultural heritage and natural landscapes for future generations.
  2. $694,419 spent. TALT's education and outreach program is dedicated to empowering landowners with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about land conservation and succession planning. By focusing on the practical applications of conservation easements, TALT helps landowners understand how these tools can protect working lands, preserve family legacies, and support long-term land stewardship. Throughout the year, TALT engages with audiences across Texas through a variety of outreach channels, including in person events, digital media, and collaborative partnerships. (See Schedule O for continuation) (Continued from Part III) These initiatives are designed to foster a deeper understanding of conservation tools, promote the benefits of voluntary land conservation, and strengthen the connection between working lands and broader environmental and economic goals. Examples of such education and outreach programs includes a Landowner Workshop on Conservation Easements in Granbury, TX (April 2024); the Working Lands Innovation Summit (October 2024); the TALT YouTube Channel which houses a live recording of the Conservation Easements 101 webinar (December 2024) and narrative style videos about the families we work with; participation in the National Cattleman's Beef Association Cattle Con in San Antonio, TX (January 2025); multiple presentation sessions at the Texas Land Trust Council conference (February 2025).

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 March 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 December 2007.

    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.