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Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development Area

EIN 42-1293893 · Oakland, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 50% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO DEVELOP AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE CULTURAL AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS THAT ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND PRESERVE THE ASSETS OF RURAL WESTERN IOWA.

Income
$783,865
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
50%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 70%
Employees
13
Volunteers
153
Highest pay
$77,476, 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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    50% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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. $501,710 spent. TO DEVELOP AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS THAT ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND PRESERVE THE ASSETS OF RURSL WESTERN IOWA. LOCAL FOODS AND SPECIALITY CROPS - RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE BUILDERS INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT SOUTHWEST IOWANS BY DRIVING EFFORTS THAT CONTINUE TO BUILD A DYNAMIC AND RESILIENT LOCAL FOOD WEB, BASED ON REGENERATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES, AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO FRESH AND NUTRITIOUS LOCAL FOOD, IN AN EFFORT TO CREATE LASTING POSITIVE IMPACTS TO BOTH THE ECONOMY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, ENSURING THRIVING, HEALTHY COMMUNITIES. WATER RESOURCES - FUNDING THROUGH THE NRCS HAS SUPPORTED MANY LONG-TERM PROJECTS IN THIS PROGRAM AREA. THE PURPOSE OF THE WATERSHED PROTECTION AND FLOOD PREVENTION (WFPO) PROJECT IS TO GATHER AND UPDATE DOCUMENTS RELATED TO WFPO STRUCTURES IN IOWA, INVENTORY WFPO STRUCTURES IN IOWA, AND DEVELOP AND PROVIDE TRAININGS ABOUT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF WFPO STRUCTURES IN IOWA. THE REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRA? (RCPP) IS A USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) GRANT WHERE WE ARE THE LEAD PARTNER AND AWARDEE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NRCS TO PROVIDE COST SHARE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR LANDOWNERS TO IMPLEMENT CONSERVATION PRACTICES. SUCH CONSERVATION PRACTICES ELIGBLE FOR THE PROGRAM ARE THOSE THAT WILL IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, REDUCE SOIL EROSION, AND IMPROVE FLOOD RESILIENCY. OUTDOOR RECREATION & TOURISM - FUNDING THROUGH THE GILCHRIST FOUNDATION, FUND FOR SIOUXLAND, LOESS HILLS AUDUBON SOCIETY, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IOWA DNR CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROGRAM, AND OTHER VARIOUS DONORS, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ENHANCE THE OUTDOOR RECREATION AND TOURISM SCENE IN WESTERN IOWA. THESE FUNDS WERE USED FOR STAFF TIME PRINTING INTERPRETATIVE PANELS, GUIDEBOOKS, BROCHURES, AND EVENTS. EACH YEAR, WE HOST A MULTI-DAY HIKING & CAMPING EVENT CALLED THE LOHI TREK, LOCATED IN THE LOESS HILLS. THE EVENT HAS SOLD OUT EACH YEAR AND HAS A WAITLIST. PARTICIPANTS NOT ONLY HIKE BUT GET TO LEARN ABOUT OUR UNIQUE LOESS HILLS LANDFORM, PRAIRIE AND WOODLAND ECOSYSTEMS, AND OTHER CONSERVATION TOPICS. THROUGH SEVERAL FUNDING SOURCES, WE HAVE ALSO UPDATED AND REPRINTED THE MUCH REQUESTED SIOUXLAND BIRDING GUIDE. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDING OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, IOWA BYWAYS SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS, OUTDOOR RECREATION INFRASTRUCTURE.

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 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 October 13, 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 2024.

    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 November 1987.

    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 October 21, 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.