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Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association Inc

EIN 39-1448749 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROTECT, CONSERVE, AND ENHANCE WISCONSIN'S NATURAL RESOURCES BY ADVOCATING FOR AND SUPPORTING COUNTY CONSERVATION EFFORTS, FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
8.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 43%
Employees
11
Volunteers
80
Highest pay
$108,194, 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (1)
  1. $760,613 spent. THE WISCONSIN LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION IS FOCUSED ON THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: (1) CONSERVATION TRAINING - MANAGING THE DIRECTIVES OF SITCOM (COUNTY, STATE, FEDERAL AND PRIVATE CONSERVATION AGENCIES) TO DELIVER HIGH PRIORITY CONSERVATION TRAINING TO RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS; (2) STANDARDS OVERSIGHT COUNCIL COORDINATION - MANAGING THE DIRECTIVES OF SOC (COUNTY, STATE, AND FEDERAL CONSERVATION TECHNICAL EXPERTS) TO COMPLETE WORK ON TECHNICAL PRACTICE STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS MAINTAIN THE SOCWISCONSIN.ORG WEBSITE, AND UPDATE WORK PLANS; (3) ADVOCACY - LEADING A COALITION OF COUNTIES, AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS TO BUILD LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FOR INCREASING COUNTY STAFFING GRANTS FOR LAND CONSERVATION DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING A SERIES OF STRATEGY MEETINGS WITH COALITION PARTNERS AND LEGISLATORS, AND ALSO ENCOURAGING ASSOCIATION MEMBERS TO EXPRESS SUPPORT OF THE EFFORT TO STATE AGENCIES AND THEIR LEGISLATORS; (4) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - DEVELOPING STATEWIDE CONSERVATION OUTREACH MATERIALS, PROVIDING INPUT TO AGENCIES AND SITCOM ON TECHNICAL ISSUES, CONDUCTING THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE FOR OVER 400 ATTENDEES; AND (5) YOUTH EDUCATION - CONDUCTING POSTER AND SPEAKING CONSERVATION PROGRAMS, THE WI ENVIROTHON, AND MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL CONSERVATION CAMPS.

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 April 1994.

    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.

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