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Whiterock Conservancy

EIN 27-0110952 · Coon Rapids, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WHITEROCK CONSERVANCY IS A 5,500 ACRE NON-PROFIT LAND TRUST THAT BALANCES SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION AND PUBLIC RECREATION ON THE LANDSCAPE. WHITEROCK CONSERVANCY WORKS FOR A RESILIENT FUTURE BY HELPING LAND FLOURISH AND TRANSFORMING PEOPLE'S RELATIONSHIP TO AGRICULTURE AND NATURE. WHITEROCK CONSERVANCY ASSISTS AND SUPPORTS THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, PRACTICAL FARMERS OF IOWA AND THE IOWA NATURAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION (THE SUPPORTED ORGANIZATIONS) IN CARRYING OUT THEIR PURPOSES RELATING TO LAND PRESERVATION, LAND RESTORATION, CONSERVATION, SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION AND RECREATION.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
17.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 68%
Employees
20
Volunteers
82
Highest pay
$146,005, 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 14 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

    9 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, 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 (2)
  1. $655,055 spent. LAND STEWARDSHIP AND CONSERVATION PROGRAM: WHITEROCK CONSERVANCY IS DEDICATED TO PROTECTING, RESTORING AND ENHANCING THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE MIDDLE RACCOON RIVER VALLEY BY: 1) PURSUING A LAND STEWARDSHIP AND CONSERVATION PROGRAM THAT DEMONSTRATES INNOVATIVE ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION AND STEWARDSHIP TECHNIQUES ON WHITEROCK CONSERVANCY'S 1,261 ACRES OF PRAIRIE, 1,164 ACRES OF SAVANNA/TIMBER, AND 136 ACRES OF WETLANDS; AND 2) WORKING WITH NEIGHBORS, PROJECT PARTNERS, AND OTHER RURAL LANDOWNERS TO DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, DEMONSTRATE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE AND ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE PRACTICES ON WHITEROCK CONSERVANCY'S 690 ACRES OF CROP LAND, 684 ACRES OF PASTURE, AND 1,998.04 ACRES OF CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROPERTIES.
  2. $459,975 spent. OUTDOOR RECREATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: A GOAL OF WHITEROCK CONSERVANCY IS TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO ACCESS AND ENGAGE WITH THE OUTDOORS FOR RECREATION, RENEWAL, AND EDUCATION TO INCREASE APPRECIATION OF THE CULTURAL, NATURAL AND SCENIC RESOURCES OF RURAL IOWA. THIS GOAL IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE OPERATION OF WHITEROCK GUEST SERVICES, DESIGNED TO FACILITATE ACCESS AND ENGAGEMENT BY PROVIDING VARIOUS OVERNIGHT ACCOMODATIONS AND A RANGE OF PROGRAMS AND EVENTS FROM GUIDED TOURS, NATURE WALKS, FISHING, BOATING, BIRD WATCHING, ETC., ALONG WITH RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS. WHITEROCK GUEST SERVICES OPERATES AS A FEE FOR SERVICE PROGRAM; HOWEVER, MANY ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE. FUNDS RAISED HAVE BEEN USED FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF RECREATIONAL TRAILS THROUGHOUT WHITEROCK CONSERVANCY'S LAND AND ON 1,400 ACRES OF LAND OWNED BY THE GARST FAMILY, ON WHICH A TRAIL COORIDOR EASEMENT HAS BEEN SECURED. OUTDOOR RECREATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: A GOAL OF WHITEROCK CONSERVANCY IS TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO ACCESS AND ENGAGE WITH THE OUTDOORS FOR RECREATION, RENEWAL, AND EDUCATION TO INCREASE APPRECIATION OF THE CULTURAL, NATURAL AND SCENIC RESOURCES OF RURAL IOWA. THIS GOAL IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE OPERATION OF WHITEROCK GUEST SERVICES, DESIGNED TO FACILITATE ACCESS AND ENGAGEMENT BY PROVIDING VARIOUS OVERNIGHT ACCOMODATIONS AND A RANGE OF PROGRAMS AND EVENTS FROM GUIDED TOURS, NATURE WALKS, FISHING, BOATING, BIRD WATCHING, ETC., ALONG WITH RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS. WHITEROCK GUEST SERVICES OPERATES AS A FEE FOR SERVICE PROGRAM; HOWEVER, MANY ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE. FUNDS RAISED HAVE BEEN USED FOR CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF RECREATIONAL TRAILS THROUGHOUT WHITEROCK CONSERVANCY'S LAND AND ON 1,400 ACRES OF LAND OWNED BY THE GARST FAMILY, ON WHICH A TRAIL COORIDOR EASEMENT HAS BEEN SECURED.

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

  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 2024.

    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 October 2006.

    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.