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Sustainable Iowa Land Trust

EIN 47-2730222 · West Branch, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceGood87 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

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

What it says it does

TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT IOWA LAND TO GROW HEALTHY FOOD.

Income
$538,831
Spending
$900,742
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 57%
Employees
13
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$107,417, 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: 50 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 67% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 69% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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. $307,072 spent. LAND PROTECTION: DURING 2024, SILT'S LAND PROTECTION PROGRAM ADVANCED FOUR MAJOR CONSERVATION PROJECTS AND STRENGTHENED ITS PIPELINE FOR FUTURE CLOSINGS. THE LAND ACQUISITION COMMITTEE REVIEWED 7 POTENTIAL PROPERTIESMOST NOTABLY HAUTER (158 ACRES), FENIMORE (14.75 ACRES), NELSON-VAUX (5.7 ACRES), AND TJARK/STEGER (156 ACRES). WHILE FORMAL CLOSINGS ARE SLATED FOR 20252026, STAFF ALSO PERFORMED MONITORING VISITS ON ALL 16 EXISTING PROPERTIES AND OVERHAULED OUR SUSTAINABILITY GUIDELINES, RECORDKEEPING TEMPLATES, AND LEASE-AGREEMENT FORMS TO ENSURE LONG-TERM STEWARDSHIP AND OPERATIONAL CONSISTENCY.
  2. $271,468 spent. GENERAL OUTREACH: SILT BROADENED ITS REACH IN 2024 WITH A MIX OF SIGNATURE EVENTS, PUBLICATIONJS, AND DIGITAL CAMPAIGNS. -HOSTED SILT FEST 2024 AT LIVING HISTORY FAMRS, DRAWIING 150+ ATTENDEES FOR A FUNDRAISING DINNER, LIVE AUCTION, AND RAFFLE PRIZES-PUBLISHED AND MAILED THE 2023-24 ANNUAL REPORT TO 1,800 STAKEHOLDERS AND MADE IT AVAILABLE ONLINE-ISSUED MONTHLY EMAIL UPDATES TO 3,200+ SUBSCRIBERS-REVAMPED SILT.ORG-INTRODUCING NEW FORMS, STREAMLINED NAVIGATION, AND UPDATED FARM PROFILES-GARNERING 8,500 UNIQUE VISTORS, A 20% INCREASE YEAR-OVER-YEAR. -EXPANDED SOCIAL-MEDIA ENGAGEMENT: FACEBOOK REACHED UP 395 %, INTERACTIONS UP 97 %, LINKS CLICKED UP 495 %, VISITS UP 152 %, AND FOLLOWERS UP 75 %; PAID ADS DELIVERED 682,409 IMPRESSIONS (AN 894 % LIFT).-LAUNCHED OUR INAUGURAL CORPORATE PARTNERS CAMPAIGN
  3. $70,303 spent. LANDOWNER OUTREACH IN 2024, SILT DELIVERED HANDS-ON EDUCATION AND DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO LANDOWNERS THROUGH CONSULTATIONS, FARM EVENTS, AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING:-REGIONAL COORDINATORS CONDUCTED OVER 75 ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS COVERING SITE VISITS, LEGAL OPTIONS, ACEP-ALE, AND FARM-MANAGEMENT PLANNING.-ORGANIZED FIVE SMALL FARM SUMMER OPEN HOUSES AT SILT AND PARTNER FARMS, FEATURING GUIDED TOURS, COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS, AND EASEMENT SEMINARS; TURNOUT OUTPACED 2023 LEVELS.-PRODUCED A "RESOURCES FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD FARMERS" WEBINAR ATTENDED BY 68 PARTICIPANTS; THE RECORDED PRESENTATION WAS DISTRIBUTED VIA YOUTUBE AND PARTNER NETWORKS.-DEVELOPED AND SHARED OUTREACH MATERIALSPAMPHLETS FOR PROSPECTIVE FARMERS, RECORDKEEPING CHECKLISTS, AND LEASE-AGREEMENT TEMPLATESTO STREAMLINE LANDOWNER DECISION-MAKING AROUND PERMANENT PROTECTION.

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 November 6, 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 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 2015.

    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 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.