Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE CONSERVANCY ENGAGES COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT THROUGH 1) PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO ENHANCE THE PARK VISITOR EXPERIENCE; 2) CO-MANAGEMENT OF THE PARK'S AWARD-WINNING "VOLUNTEER IN PARKS" (VIP) PROGRAM; 3) EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN AT THE CUYAHOGA VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER, THROUGHOUT THE PARK AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES; 4) MARKETING AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS TO REACH OUT TO EXISTING AND NEW VISITORS; 5) PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CAPITAL PROJECTS IN CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK INCLUDING THE PURCHASE OF BRANDYWINE GOLF COURSE ON BEHALF OF TEH CONSERVANCY AND CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK.
- Income
- $6.3 million
- Spending
- $7.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 53%
- Employees
- 120
- Volunteers
- 68
- Highest pay
- $202,164, ceo & president (9/1/24 - 7/15/25)
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 45% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2529 of 29 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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)
- $1.7 million spent. CUYAHOGA VALLEY ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER - CHILDREN ARE PROVIDED WITH OVERNIGHT AND DAY PROGRAM EXPERIENCES. DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR, CLASSES PARTICIPATE WITH THEIR TEACHERS IN FIELD TRIPS, DAY PROGRAMS OR OVERNIGHT EXPERIENCES IN THE PARK. STUDENTS CAN RECEIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE CONSERVANCY, WHICH PROVIDES CHILD THE ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE. THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE CURRICULUM BASED AND SUPPLEMENT SCHOOLS' CORE STANDARDS. SUMMER PROGRAMS INCLUDE DAY CAMPS AS WELL AS SUMMER ACADEMICS AND FAMILY-ORIENTED PROGRAMS.
- $3.5 million spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - PARK VISITATION TO CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK REMAINS HIGH. THE CONSERVANCY ENGAGES THE COMMUNITY WITHIN THE NATIONAL PARK IN A VARIETY OF WAYS. THE RETAIL STORES OPERATED BY THE CONSERVANCY WERE OPEN FOR VISITORS TO ENHANCE THEIR PARK EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS PROVIDE VISITOR INFORMATION ABOUT ACTIVITIES IN AND AROUND THE PARK. THIS PAST YEAR, MORE VOLUNTEERS WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE PARK THROUGH THE PARK'S VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, WHICH IS CO-MANAGED BY THE CONSERVANCY. THE CONSERVANCY OFFERS RESERVATIONS TO HOST EVENTS AND MEETINGS IN OUR UNIQUE PARK BUILDINGS WITH OPERATIONAL SUPPORT INCLUDING EVENT PLANNING, CATERING AS WELL AS FACILITY RENTALS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 2000.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.