Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Mid-Atlantic Center for Herpetology and Conservation

EIN 27-2383011 · Shrewsbury, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair61 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To promote the public understanding and appreciation of amphibians, reptiles, and conservation of natural resources; to advance scientific research of amphibians and reptiles; and to contribute to the fields of herpetology and conservation biology.

Income
$329,269
Spending
$239,920
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
7.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 89%
Employees
5
Volunteers
2,500
Highest pay
$65,703, president

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 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 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (2)
  1. $102,706 spent. Continuation of the long-term Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey (PARS: paherpsurvey.org). The project reached over 2,700 registered participants/volunteers from the general public. Over 205,000 records of amphibians and reptiles in Pennsylvania have been collected, making the PARS project the largest repository of Pennsylvania amphibian and reptile data in the world. The data is used by our organization and governmental agencies to evaluate species statuses. The project is also one of the largest state-focused citizen science projects for herpetology in the country, providing an opportunity for the general public to contribute to scientific study in a way that is typically not available to lay persons.
  2. $117,762 spent. Our organization continued the first region-wide Bog Turtle project that tied states from the northeast United States, from Massachusetts to Maryland, together via unified sampling, data recording, and spatial methodologies. Work also included habitat management actions needed to maintain appropriate conditions to support healthy populations. Partners included state wildlife agencies, the USFWS, NRCS, and conservation NGOs. The Bog Turtle is a federally threatened species and listed as threatened or endangered in every state which it occurs in the northeastern USA. Data collection continued for the project including volunteer-based surveys. The data collected through this project has been vital to Bog Turtle conservations efforts, including long-term monitoring of populations and improving the suitability of northeastern habitats. The program has also allowed over 100 turtle biologists to volunteer with a very rare species and aid in the conservation of a globally rare turtle. Phase 2 of this project has continued from the conclusion of Phase 1.

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

  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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2023 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2023.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 June 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 2025.

    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 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.