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Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts

EIN 45-1510255 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood87 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SERVE AND STRENGTHEN THE LAND TRUST COMMUNITY IN OREGON.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
8.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
14
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$139,952, int. exec. dir.

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 8.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    9 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 (5)
  1. $659,490 spent. PARTNERSHIP: THE COALITION OF OREGON LAND TRUSTS SUPPORTS AND MANAGES THE OREGON LAND JUSTICE PROJECT THAT WORKS TO INCREASE INDIGENOUS ACCESS AND OWNERSHIP OF LAND AND FIRST FOODS. IN ADDITION, COLT WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NETWORK OF OREGON WATERSHED COUNCILS AND THE OREGON ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS TO ADVANCE VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION IN OREGON. THIS PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES TECHNICAL SUPPORT, TRAINING AND ADVOCACY FOR LAND TRUSTS, WATERSHED COUNCILS AND SOIL AND WATERCONSERVATION DISTRICTS IN OREGON.
  2. $221,816 spent. ADVOCACY: COLT WORKS TO INCREASE THE INFLUENCE OF OREGON LAND TRUSTS WITH STATE AND FEDERAL ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND MAINTAIN AND INCREASE CONSERVATION FUNDING FOR LAND TRUSTS. AS A STATEWIDE LAND TRUST ASSOCIATION, COLT IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO EDUCATE AND ACTIVATE CONSERVATION LEADERS FROM AROUND THE STATE. OUR 19 MEMBER LAND TRUSTS REPRESENT A COMMUNITY OF OVER 41,000 SUPPORTERS IN OREGON THAT CARE ABOUT CONSERVING OREGONS NATURAL TREASURES.
  3. $124,574 spent. EDUCATION & COMMUNICATION: COLT STRIVES TO COMMUNICATE THE ECOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL VALUE OF LAND CONSERVATION AND LAND TRUSTS WITH KEY AUDIENCES (MEMBERS, DECISION MAKERS, FUNDERS). COMMUNICATION MATERIALS LIKE THE ANNUAL STATE OF THE LANDS REPORT DEMONSTRATE THE COLLECTIVE IMPACT OF OREGONS LAND TRUSTS AND ARE BEING USED TO GUIDE CONVERSATIONS WITH KEY INFLUENCERS STATEWIDE. COLT WORKS WITH PARTNERS TO EXECUTE A STATEWIDE COMMUNICATIONS PLAN THAT WILL RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT CONSERVATION AND MOTIVATE OREGONIANS TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN SUPPORTING THE WORK OF LAND TRUSTS.
  4. $10,668 spent. MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT: AS A COALITION COMPRISED OF DIVERSE LAND TRUSTS THROUGHOUT OREGON, COLT OFFERS DISTINCTIVE VALUE TO ITS MEMBERSHIP BY PROVIDING: - A LARGER CONTEXT THAT INFORMS THE WORK OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBER LAND TRUSTS - A PRESENCE IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO EDUCATE DECISION MAKERS ABOUT LAND TRUSTS AND ADVOCATE FOR CONSERVATION - A NETWORK OF KNOWLEDGEABLE PEERS ON CALL FOR ONGOING LEARNING AND SUPPORT - A CURATOR OF INFORMATION AND RESOURCES VALUABLE FOR PRIVATE, VOLUNTARY LAND CONSERVATION - A CREDIBLE COLLECTIVE VOICE ON ISSUES THAT MATTER FOR OREGONS FUTURE - A PATHWAY TO EXPANDED RESOURCES: STRENGTHEN COLT'S ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES AND CAPACITY - FREE LEGAL SERVICES THROUGH COLT'S PRO BONO ATTORNEY NETWORK
  5. $10,668 spent. LEGAL SERVICES: COLTS PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICE PROGRAM PROVIDES NO COST LEGAL SERVICES TO MEMBER LAND TRUSTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING AND ENFORCING CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND OTHER PROPERTY INTERESTS THAT ACHIEVE THE GOALS OF CONSERVING NATURAL, SCENIC, AND OPEN SPACE VALUES, AS WELL AGRICULTURE, FOREST AND RECREATION RESOURCES THROUGHOUT OREGON.

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 January 2012.

    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.