Carrizo Plain Conservancy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our mission is to work with government agencies, non-government organizations and interested groups and individuals to foster permanent protection of wildlife habitat within the Carrizo Plain area of San Luis Obispo County, California. This is done by purchasing land or easements, accepting donations of same, undertaking actions to restore or enhance wildlife habitat found on those lands, and to provide educational opportunities for the public about these lands and actions.
- Income
- $100,097
- Spending
- $73,160
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- -866.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 55%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $24,300, secretary
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: 65 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 58% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 82 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $42,502 spent. The organization had a successful year in acquisitions, acquiring 3 parcels of land totaling 120 acres from willing sellers (including one donation), and accepting donations of 3 vacant parcels totaling 7.5 acres from three other parties. Funds for the purchases were paid directly into escrow by several grants from the Nature Conservancy, with ancillary costs being advanced by the organization and later reimbursed. In the case of the donations the organization paid the closing costs. The expenses include closing costs and required site investigations. The organization also continued work on an evaluation of the natural resources of land northwest of Carrizo Plain National Monument, which is of interest for future conservation efforts. This study was funded by a grant from the Kiewit Foundation of Santa Barbara in 2024; the study is still ongoing but is nearing completion and is expected to be complete in summer 2026.
- $4,842 spent. With support from a grant from the County of San Luis Obispo, the organization began a study of identifying and prioritizing properties in the old California Valley subdivision for their natural resources values and development potential, with a goal of seeking to conserve a significant portion of the subdivision for permanent conservation purposes. This entailed the hiring of a consulting firm, and establishment of a committee of interested or affected groups, such as the County, State Wildlife Department, and local Community Services District. The study began in September 2025 and is expected to be completed in summer 2026. Certain of the funds were also used (and reported in First Program Accomplishment) to cover closing costs of property donations in the California Valley subdivision.
- $2,773 spent. Following a severe wildfire in July 2025, the organization partnered with local outdoor artist groups to raise funds in support of fire recovery activities, including supplies for erosion control and studies of fire recovery in the area. Approximately $6,350 was raised over an eight week period, snd funds were used for purchase of materials in fall of2025. The balance of the funs are expected to be utilized for studies of natural fire recovery in the area (which had not burned in at least 100 years) in spring 2026.
- $3,472 spent. Property taxes.
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
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 December 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 July 2014.
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.