Conservation Science Partners Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To apply human ingenuity to the preservation of nature using science, technology, and lasting partnerships with conservation practitioners.
- Income
- $2.6 million
- Spending
- $2.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 62%
- Reserves
- 4.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 43%
- Employees
- 24
- Volunteers
- 5
- Highest pay
- $212,141, president, ceo, chief scientist
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: 55 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 48% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1562% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 254 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $1.6 million spent. Conservation Science Partners (CSP) is a nonprofit established to meet the research and technical needs of diverse clients and stakeholders in conservation projects around the world. Our mission is to apply human ingenuity to the preservation of nature using science, technology, and lasting partnerships with conservation practitioners. Our scientific capabilities help society to rigorously address the critical problems facing the natural environment on public and private lands. Drawing from the realms of the environmental, social, and computer sciences, our projects result in durable, defensible, academic-grade science designed to guide nonpartisan and independent decision-making.(Continued on Schedule O)To achieve and increase our impact over the last year, we: 1) engaged non-governmental organizations, foundations, agencies, socially progressive companies, and other sectors of society in a diversity of opportunities and in the user-centered design of our work; 2) carefully used cutting-edge scientific tools and technology to prototype and deliver high-quality work products in a professional, reproducible, timely, and cost-effective manner' 3) drew on a network of professionals from a wide range of disciplines, enhancing staff capacity in the rapid deployment and scaling of innovative solutions; 4) connected with the best minds in conservation science to solve problems in a way that's comprehensive, flexible, and service-oriented; and 5) helped foster the next generation of conservation scientists, practitioners, and leaders through mentorship, inclusion, and respect.Much of the work at CSP is housed among five 'labs.' Our staff work within and across labs to ensure project teams and outcomes are optimized. Our Analytics Lab enhances the way conservation science works and broadens our reach through advancements in technology. Our Changing Landscapes Lab advances conservation and climate adaptation science and planning by accounting for the interacting trajectories of global changes in climates, land use, and biodiversity in socio-ecological systems. Our Threatened and Endangered Species Lab develops and drives the science, research outcomes, and partnerships that accelerate threatened and endangered species conservation and recovery efforts. Our Freshwater Solutions Lab advances freshwater conservation science by providing improved analytical methods and datasets to inform environmental management and policy solutions to the major challenges facing the sustainability of fresh waters. Our Innovation Lab incubates new approaches to solving conservation problems that integrate human ingenuity and the creativity of nature.
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
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2011.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.