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South Dakota Association of Conservations Districts Inc

EIN 46-6017029 · Pierre, SD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Lead represent & assist conservation districts in promoting a healthy environment. Concerns include developing local leadership soil & grassland health water quality & quantity air quality forestry wildlife recreation and human health.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
4.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 60%
Employees
28
Volunteers
975
Highest pay
$65,956, executive director

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% 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 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
  1. $1.2 million spent. ASSIST LANDOWNERS OPERATORS TO PLAN & IMPLEMENT NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION MEASURES. MEASURES INCLUDE TECHNICAL ADVICE COST-SHARE FOLLOW UP AND MONITORING. PRIMARY AREAS ARE SOIL AIR AND WATER QUALITY ANIMAL AND PLANT NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT GRAZING LANDS MANAGEMENT WETLANDS CONSERVATION AND WILDLIFE HABITAT. STAFF ASSISTED PRODUCERS IN DEVELOPING RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLANS AND MONITORING THESE PLANS. WETLANDS WERE CREATED RESTORED OR ENHANCED WITH ACCOMPANYING ACRES RECEIVING GRAZING MANAGEMENT PLANS. SOIL HEALTH DEMONSTRATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WERE DEVELOPED AND PRESENTED TO WIDE RANGE OF INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS. RESIDENTS OF TARGETED WATERSHEDS RECEIVED INFORMATION TECHNICAL ADVICE AND COST-SHARE IN ORDER TO ADDRESS WATER QUALITY IMPAIRMENTS SOIL HEALTH AND CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP MATERIALS.
  2. $238,118 spent. EDUCATE PUBLIC AND ASSOCIATION MEMBERS ON NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION ISSUES AND AVAILABLE PROGRAMS. ASSOCIATION SPONSORED OR CO-SPONSORED SEVERAL EDUCATION EVENTS SUCH AS OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONSERVATION DISTRICT OFFICIALS AND STAFF TO BUILD CAPACITY; EVENTS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF AGRICULTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY; HIGHLIGHT STORIES OF OUTSTANDING CONSERVATIONISTS; AND INCREASE KNOWLEDGE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ISSUES OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES.
  3. $78,104 spent. INCREASE NON-OPERATOR LANDOWNER NOLO KNOWLEDGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION MEASURES BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES. FOCUS IS ON THE GROWING NUMBER OF LANDOWNERS WHO OWN LAND IN SOUTH DAKOTA BUT DO NOT OPERATE IT THEMSELVES. VARIOUS METHODS OF OUTREACH INTRODUCE NOLOS TO GOVERNMENTAL AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS WHO PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. OPPORTUNITIES ARE OFFERED TO PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAMS AND OR PROJECTS.

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 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 June 2025.

    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 May 1969.

    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.