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Sand County Foundation Inc

EIN 39-6089450 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND EMPOWER A GROWING NUMBER OF LAND OWNERS AND MANAGERS TO ETHICALLY CARE FOR THE LAND TO SUSTAIN WATER RESOURCES, BUILD HEALTHY SOIL, ENHANCE WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND SUPPORT OUTDOOR RECREATION.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$9.6 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
10.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 57%
Employees
0
Volunteers
17
Highest pay
$224,206, president & ceo

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

Fair: 63 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 136% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 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 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 (3)
  1. $5.6 million spent. CONSERVATION POLICY AND INFLUENCE - THROUGH ITS CONSERVATION POLICY INITIATIVE, THE FOUNDATION USES SOME OF THE SAME PRINCIPLES FROM ITS BODY OF WORK TO BUILD AND SUPPORT ECOSYSTEM-SCALE SPECIES CONSERVATION MODELS, GREATER ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES, AND BETTER USE OF DATA TECHNOLOGY TO ACHIEVE ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION.
  2. $2.2 million spent. AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION - THE FOUNDATION'S AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION PROGRAM DEMONSTRATES LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT PROTECT SOIL AND WATER, UTILIZE THEM MORE EFFICIENTLY, AND MAXIMIZE THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS AND PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY OF AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS. WE STRIVE TO ENSURE THAT CONSERVATION MEASURES ENHANCE THE LONG-TERM PROFITABILITY AND RESILIENCE OF FARMS AND RANCHES.
  3. $1.0 million spent. LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD - THE LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD RECOGNIZES FARMERS, RANCHERS AND FORESTERS FOR ACHIEVEMENTS IN CONSERVATION ON WORKING LAND. WITH PROMINENT PARTNERS IN MANY STATES ACROSS THE U.S., THE FOUNDATION PRESENTS THE ANNUAL AWARDS IN SETTINGS THAT SHOWCASE THE LANDOWNERS' CONSERVATION SUCCESS AMONG THEIR PEERS.

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 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 1965.

    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.