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Headwaters Land Conservancy

EIN 38-3183846 · Gaylord, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair62 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY IS TO PROTECT THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF NORTHEAST MICHIGAN BY PRESERVING SIGNIFICANT LANDS AND SCENIC AREAS, ADVANCING STEWARDSHIP OF LAND HELD AS PRESERVES AND IN CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, AND FOSTERING APPRECIATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENVIRONMENT. HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY HOLDS 97 CONSERVATION EASEMENTS.

Income
$792,041
Spending
$788,181
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
-0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
5
Volunteers
74

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% 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 208% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 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, 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. $660,092 spent. HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY MONITORED 100 CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND 9 NATURE PRESERVES WE HOLD IN OUR 11 COUNTY SERVICE AREA OF NORTHEAST MICHIGAN. THESE PROPERTIES PROTECT OVER 19,000 ACRES OF LAND AND 38 MILES OF SHORELINE. WE WORKED WITH THE LANDOWNERS IN OUR SERVICE AREA TO EDUCATE AND ENCOURAGE RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF THEIR PROPERTIES.
  2. $10,549 spent. HEADWATERS FACILITATED A FOREST SCHOOL PROGRAM WHICH EDUCATED 36 CHILDREN AND 9 ADULTS IN OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING NATURAL AREAS. WE FACILITATED ONGOING ADULT ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS WHICH EDUCATED 102 INDIVIDUALS ABOUT ASPECTS OF CONSERVATION AND IMPLEMENTATION PRACTICES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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? 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 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 June 1994.

    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.