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Red-Tail Land Conservancy Inc

EIN 34-1889427 · Muncie, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RED-TAIL LAND CONSERVANCY PRESERVES, PROTECTS, AND RESTORES NATURAL AREAS AND FARM LAND IN EAST CENTRAL INDIANA WHILE INCREASING AWARENESS OF OUR NATURAL HERITAGE.

Income
$890,229
Spending
$385,913
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
13 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
7
Volunteers
95
Highest pay
$77,795, executive 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.0 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 57% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 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

    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 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. $258,471 spent. RED-TAIL LAND CONSERVANCY PROTECTS 43 PROPERTIES, TOTALING 2,921 ACRES, OF NATURAL AREAS IN SIX COUNTIES IN EAST CENTRAL INDIANA: DELAWARE, HENRY, MADISON, RANDOLPH, TIPTON, AND WAYNE COUNTIES. THIS INCLUDES CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND NATURE PRESERVES, 11 OF WHICH ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. IN PURSUIT OF ITS MISSION, RED-TAIL LAND CONSERVANCY PROTECTS VULNERABLE FORESTS, PRAIRIE, WETLANDS, AND WATERWAYS FROM URBAN ENCROACHMENT, CONVERSION TO WORKING LANDS, AND THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE. ONCE PROTECTED BY RED-TAIL, THESE WILDLIFE HABITATS UNDERGO RESTORATION AND STEWARDSHIP TO IMPROVE OR MAINTAIN ECOLOGICAL HEALTH. THIS INCLUDES ERADICATING INVASIVE WEEDS, PLANTING BENEFICIAL TREES, AND REINTRODUCING RARE AND ENDANGERED SPECIES. RED-TAIL LAND CONSERVANCY OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN ITS MISSION BY HOLDING VOLUNTEER EVENTS TO ASSIST WITH LAND STEWARDSHIP. RED-TAIL ALSO OFFERS OPTIONS TO HELP LANDOWNERS ACHIEVE THEIR CONSERVATION VISION. THESE FREE CONSULTATIONS ARE CONVERSATIONS THAT COVER OPTIONS SUCH AS A CONSERVATION EASEMENT OR LAND DONATION TO RED-TAIL. THEY ADDITIONALLY INCLUDE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION FROM GOVERNMENTAL AND OTHER NONPROFIT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS. RED-TAIL PROTECTED PROPERTIES ALSO SERVE AS SITES FOR SCHOLARLY RESEARCH. PARTNERING WITH STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND CONSERVATION PROFESSIONALS, OUR NATURE PRESERVES ARE USED FOR STUDIES IN BIODIVERSITY, ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION, LAND MANAGEMENT, AND OTHER BIOLOGICAL INTERESTS. WE PARTNER AND SUPPORT OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS WHO SHARE OUR MISSION TO RESTORE AND PRESERVE NATURAL AREAS IN EAST CENTRAL INDIANA, INCLUDING, LOCAL CISMA'S, SWCD, AND WATERSHED PROJECTS.
  2. $7,563 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMSRED-TAIL LAND CONSERVANCY OFFERS COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO HELP PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE WITH NATURE. THESE PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS. GUIDED HIKES, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND PUBLIC PRESENTATION ARE OFFERED THROUGHOUT OUR 5 COUNTY SERVICE AREA AT FREE OR MINIMAL COST. THE INDIANA MASTER NATURALIST PROGRAM BRINGS TOGETHER NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALISTS AND ADULT LEARNERS TO FOSTER AN UNDERSTANDING OF INDIANA'S ECOSYSTEMS. ADDITIONALLY, PARTICIPANTS LEARN HOW TO TEACH OTHERS ABOUT THE NATURAL WORLD AND SHARE PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH A VARIETY OF AUDIENCES. WILDLIFE WARRIORS IS A NATURE CLUB FOR KIDS AGES 10-15 THAT EXPLORES WILDLIFE, PLANTS, AND CONSERVATION WITH NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALISTS. EACH PROGRAM INCLUDES HANDS-ON LEARNING, NATURE PLAY, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO TAKE PART IN CONSERVATION WORK. BEYOND LEARNING, WILDLIFE WARRIORS IS A PLACE WHERE KIDS WHO LOVE NATURE CAN FIND FRIENDS WITH SIMILAR INTERESTS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1999.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.