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Groundswell Conservancy Inc

EIN 39-1452825 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE PROTECT SPECIAL PLACES, FOREVER.

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
7.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
13
Volunteers
163
Highest pay
$97,831, executive director (from 09/24)

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 50% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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

    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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $2.5 million spent. CONSERVATION, OUTREACH AND EDUCATION: FOUNDED IN 1983, GROUNDSWELL CONSERVANCY CONTINUES TO HELP LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND LANDOWNERS PROTECT SPECIAL PLACES FOREVER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL WISCONSIN. GROUNDSWELL SECURED A CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON 189 ACRES OF PRIME FARMLAND NEAR THE FOOTVILLE STATE WILDLIFE AREA IN ROCK COUNTY. THIS EASEMENT ENSURES THE LAND WILL REMAIN UNDEVELOPED, PRESERVING IT FOR FARMING WHILE ALSO ALLOWING PUBLIC ACCESS FOR HUNTING, HIKING, AND OTHER NATURE-BASED OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES. FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT CAME FROM THE USDA'S REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (RCPP) BY WAY OF AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST, THE STATE'S KNOWLES-NELSON STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM, AND THE ROCK RIVER VALLEY CHAPTER OF PHEASANTS FOREVER.GROUNDSWELL ALSO PURCHASED 42 ACRES OF WETLANDS AT LAKE MILLS WILDLIFE AREA IN JEFFERSON COUNTY. THAT MEANS MORE WILDLIFE HABITAT, BETTER WATER QUALITY, AND INCREASED PUBLIC ACCESS. JEFFERSON COUNTY PLANS ON PUTTING IN BETTER PARKING FACILITIES AND EASIER ACCESS FOR CANOEING AND KAYAKING. WHEN THAT'S DONE, THE PROPERTY WILL BE DONATED TO WISCONSIN DNR AND OPENED FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES LIKE PADDLING, HIKING, HUNTING, AND FISHING. GROUNDSWELL WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT, LAKE MILLS AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, WISCONSIN DNR, DUCKS UNLIMITED, AND THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE FOR THEIR IMPORTANT FINANCIAL AND PRACTICAL HELP ON THIS PROJECT.GROUNDSWELL CONSERVANCY ALSO PROTECTED ITS FIRST LAND IN THE TOWN OF DUNKIRK, CLOSING ON THE BREHM QUAYLE CONSERVATION EASEMENT PERMANENTLY PRESERVES 175 ACRES OF WETLANDS AND REWILDED FARM FIELDS NEAR THE YAHARA RIVER. FUNDING FOR THIS EASEMENT ACQUISITION CAME FROM THE TOWN OF DUNKIRK, A U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT (NAWCA) GRANT, AND SUPPORTERS OF GROUNDSWELL CONSERVANCY. SPECIAL THANKS TO DUCKS UNLIMITED FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP IN OBTAINING THE NAWCA GRANT.GROUNDSWELL CONSERVANCY, ALONG WITH THE TOWN OF DUNN, PROTECTED MORE THAN 48 ACRES OF LAND NEAR THE YAHARA RIVER WITH A CONSERVATION EASEMENT. THE MONEY TO PROTECT THE LAND CAME FROM SEVERAL SOURCES: THE DANE COUNTY CONSERVATION FUND, THE USDA'S REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM, THE TOWN OF DUNN'S PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS PROGRAM, AND GROUNDSWELL'S SUPPORTERS.GROUNDSWELL HOLDS AND MONITORS MORE THAN 80 CONSERVATION EASEMENTS EVERY YEAR TO ENSURE THEIR CONSERVATION VALUES ARE UPHELD.GROUNDSWELL SUPPORTERS AND THE PUBLIC ENJOYED NATURE EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING ELECTROFISHING AT BLACK EARTH CREEK, CAVE OF THE MOUNDS TOUR, WESTPORT PRAIRIE POLLINATOR HIKE, A BONFIRE AND CANDLELIT HIKE AT PATRICK MARSH, AND OUR ANNUAL BLACK HAWK RIDGE TRAIL RUN. GROUNDSWELL ALSO HOSTED THEIR BIENNIAL TOWN OF DUNN FOOD CART NIGHT AND LEGACY CIRCLE PARTY, TO HONOR THOSE WHO HAVE INCLUDED GROUNDSWELL IN THEIR WILL OR ESTATE PLANS. AT WESTPORT PRAIRIE, OUR DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS AND WAUNAKEE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ADDED ANOTHER 7.5 ACRES OF PRAIRIE HABITAT. THE SEED HAD BEEN COLLECTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AT WESTPORT PRAIRIE BY VOLUNTEERS AND OUR CONTRACTED SEED COLLECTOR, KAYLEE NELSEN. AT PATRICK MARSH AND WESTPORT PRAIRIE GROUNDSWELL OFFERS MONTHLY OUTDOOR VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP RESTORE AND CARE FOR OUR LOCAL NATURAL LANDSCAPES. VOLUNTEERS CUT BRUSHES, COLLECTED PRAIRIE SEEDS, PULLED INVASIVE WEEDS, BURNED BRUSHES, AND MORE. GROUNDSWELL OWNS TWO COMMUNITY FARMS THAT PROMOTE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO LAND FOR NEXT-GENERATION FARMERS: WESTPORT FARM IN WAUNAKEE AND PASLEY'S SWAN CREEK FARM IN FITCHBURG. AT WESTPORT FARM IS OUR LIFTING HEARTS THERAPY GARDEN, A PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN HEALING CENTER. HMOOB (HMONG) ELDERS FIND SOLACE GARDENING HERE. ONGOING IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GARDEN AND THE FARM ARE THANKS TO MANY GROUNDSWELL SUPPORTERS. AT PASLEY'S SWAN CREEK FARM WE LEASE THE FARMLAND TO NEIGHBORHOOD FOOD SOLUTIONS, A LOCAL NONPROFIT COMPANY LED BY ROBERT PIERCE. GROUNDSWELL CONTINUED TO PROVIDE OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HMOOB (HMONG) FARMERS TO CONNECT THEM WITH USDA PROGRAMS AND OTHER RESOURCES. THIS WORK IS POSSIBLE THANKS TO THE OUTREACH AND ASSISTANCE FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS AND VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS (2501) PROGRAM GRANT, FUNDED BY THE USDA OFFICE OF PARTNERSHIPS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT. THIS IS A 3-YEAR GRANT RUNNING THROUGH THE FALL OF 2025. THIS GRANT IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UW-MADISON DIVISION OF EXTENSION AND FAIRSHARE CSA COALITION.GROUNDSWELL'S PROGRAM EXPENSES INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY AS TEN PARCELS OF LAND WERE REDUCED IN VALUE BY $1,052,603 BEFORE BEING TRANSFERRED TO THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SUBSEQUENT TO JUNE 30, 2025. GROUNDSWELL CONSERVANCY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1983 AND HAS PERMANENTLY PROTECTED MORE THAN 14,000 ACRES OF IMPORTANT LAND AND WATER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL WI. GROUNDSWELL IS ACCREDITED BY THE LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION COMMISSION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 2025.

    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 December 1983.

    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.