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Native Conservancy

EIN 30-0131766 · Cordova, AK

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF NATIVE CONSERVANCY IS TO SUPPORT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S EFFORTS TO PRESERVE, REPATRIATE AND RESTORE ANCESTRAL LANDS THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF INDIGENOUS LAND CONSERVATION TRUSTS ON SCARRED LANDS AND WATERS THAT ARE INHERENT TO THE PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF SOVEREIGNTY, SUBSISTENCE, SPIRITUALITY AND NATIVE CULTURE.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$3.6 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
26
Volunteers
3
Highest pay
$169,727, president

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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 52% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 4 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 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 (5)
  1. $1.3 million spent. OCEANBACK HABITAT RESTORATION: OCEANBACK ADVANCES MARICULTURE PROGRAMMING THROUGH COMMUNITY TRAINING, SEED PRODUCTION, AND PILOT SCALE PROCESSING INNOVATION IN SOUTHEAST AND SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA. DURING THE YEAR, THE PROGRAM TESTED A FLOATING, AT SEA KELP PROCESSING MODEL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AN ALASKA BASED ORGANIZATION, HARVESTING AND PROCESSING SUGAR AND RIBBON KELP TO EXPAND LOCAL PROCESSING CAPACITY. THE PROGRAM ALSO CONDUCTED A HANDS ON KELP FARMING TRAINING IN KAKE, ALASKA, PROVIDING INSTRUCTION IN CULTIVATION, HARVEST METHODS, AND BUSINESS PLANNING. THESE ACTIVITIES SUPPORTED INDIGENOUS LED MARINE STEWARDSHIP, LOCAL CAPACITY BUILDING, AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN ALASKA.
  2. $1.2 million spent. PEOPLEBACK: PEOPLEBACK FOCUSES ON FOOD SOVEREIGNTY, FOOD SECURITY, AND CONTRIBUTING TRADITIONAL PRACTICES IN LINE WITH CULTURAL RESTORATION PROGRAMMING IN SUPPORT OF INDIGENOUS ELDERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THROUGH MONTHLY DISTRIBUTIONS, FROZEN SUBSISTENCE FOODS AND PREPARED MEALS WERE PROVIDED TO SUPPORT NUTRITIONAL SECURITY AND THE PRESERVATION OF TRADITIONAL FOODS. THESE DISTRIBUTIONS HAVE ALSO BEEN SHARED OUTSIDE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S BASE OF OPERATIONS, REACHING COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT ALASKA. PEOPLEBACK ALSO ADVANCED A CULTURAL CARVING INITIATIVE THROUGH THE TRANSPORT AND STORAGE OF TWO YELLOW CEDAR LOGS TO CORDOVA, ALASKA, FOR FUTURE HEALING POLE DEVELOPMENT. THE ORGANIZATION COORDINATED LOGISTICS, AND COMMUNITY CONSULTATION WITH ELDERS, CULTURAL PRACTITIONERS, AND TRIBAL LEADERS TO ENSURE THE PROJECT IS GROUNDED IN TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND CULTURAL PROTOCOLS. PEOPLEBACK: PEOPLEBACK FOCUSES ON FOOD SOVEREIGNTY, FOOD SECURITY, AND CONTRIBUTING TRADITIONAL PRACTICES IN LINE WITH CULTURAL RESTORATION PROGRAMMING IN SUPPORT OF INDIGENOUS ELDERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THROUGH MONTHLY DISTRIBUTIONS, FROZEN SUBSISTENCE FOODS AND PREPARED MEALS WERE PROVIDED TO SUPPORT NUTRITIONAL SECURITY AND THE PRESERVATION OF TRADITIONAL FOODS. THESE DISTRIBUTIONS HAVE ALSO BEEN SHARED OUTSIDE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S BASE OF OPERATIONS, REACHING COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT ALASKA. PEOPLEBACK ALSO ADVANCED A CULTURAL CARVING INITIATIVE THROUGH THE TRANSPORT AND STORAGE OF TWO YELLOW CEDAR LOGS TO CORDOVA, ALASKA, FOR FUTURE HEALING POLE DEVELOPMENT. THE ORGANIZATION COORDINATED LOGISTICS, AND COMMUNITY CONSULTATION WITH ELDERS, CULTURAL PRACTITIONERS, AND TRIBAL LEADERS TO ENSURE THE PROJECT IS GROUNDED IN TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND CULTURAL PROTOCOLS.
  3. $378,887 spent. LANDBACK: LANDBACK LEADS LAND CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP TO SECURE LANDS THROUGH ACQUISITION, PARTNERSHIP, AND LONG TERM PRESERVATION PLANNING IN THE COPPER RIVER DELTA AND SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA. THE PROGRAM ADVANCED EFFORTS TO PROTECT 11,600 ACRES IN THE BERING RIVER COAL AREA THROUGH CONSERVATION STRATEGIES DESIGNED TO PREVENT INCOMPATIBLE DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECT CRITICAL HABITAT, INCLUDING SALMON. DURING THE YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION COMPLETED OR ADVANCED THE RETURN AND PROTECTION OF MULTIPLE LAND PARCELS, SUPPORTING CULTURAL PRESERVATION AND LONG TERM CONSERVATION OUTCOMES.
  4. $364,726 spent. OTHER PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CONFERENCES AND COMMUNICATIONS: THIS ACCOUNTS FOR DONOR AND GRANT OUTREACH AND MARKETING TO HELP SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION.
  5. OTHER PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CONFERENCES AND COMMUNICATIONS: THIS ACCOUNTS FOR DONOR AND GRANT OUTREACH AND MARKETING TO HELP SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION.

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 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 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 May 2003.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Nature Conservancy (Arlington, VA), EIN 53-0242652. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.