The Rattlesnake Conservancy Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To advance the protection of rattlesnakes and their habitat through research and education.
- Income
- $259,714
- Spending
- $323,027
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 2.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 68%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $57,693, director of programs
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 49% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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)
- $94,507 spent. Our research programs are focused to provide a measurable on-the-ground conservation impact for imperiled rattlesnake species across the world. Current efforts include ongoing disease monitoring in wild populations of venomous snakes long-term evaluation of artificial refugia sites species recovery efforts for the New Mexico Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake assessing the feasibility of restoring habitat and connectivity between two isolated Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake populations through a collaboration with Dr. Eric Hileman at West Virginia University and assisting Dr. Margres at the University of South Florida in collecting venom samples from Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes across their range to study population dynamics asses species status identify threats and better inform conservation decisions. In addition to our own internal research programs The Rattlesnake Conservancy provides grant funding to researchers around the world whose work aligns with our mission and goals. Since 2020 we have funded projects impacting numerous venomous snake species from the Florida peninsula to the slopes of New York the desert southwest to the barrier islands of southeast Georgia the rainforests of Mexico to the mountains of northeast Brazil.
- $65,721 spent. Our Education Programs are designed to inspire a lifelong commitment to conservation and cultivate a deep connection with the natural world. We believe that providing environmental education and instilling a love for nature in children plays a vital role in conservation and therefore directly supports our mission. To this end we offer many innovative education programs and experiences for all ages including reptile encounters community outreach events visiting classrooms on-site and off-site field trips day camps guided hikes nature excursions and a native venomous snake display which is open to the public. Additionally we produce activities and materials which support state and national science standards and are available completely free for download on our website. These educator resources help children learn how to identify their native snake species learn how to live safely alongside potentially dangerous wildlife and recognize some of the ecological benefits they provide.
- $123,297 spent. Our Training Programs have been taught throughout the United States since 2015 and set the industry standard in safe venomous handling practices. These courses empower individuals and professionals with the skills and equipment they need to respond safely to venomous snakes in their communities through a combination of classroom instruction in important topics like native venomous snake species ecology snake anatomy and physiology reproductive behavior venom toxinology emergency snakebite management captive husbandry and more; with hands on techniques like single hooking double hooking bagging and containing venomous snakes. Examples of people who have taken this course are military personnel land managers first responders zookeepers naturalists gardeners park rangers biologists private herpetoculturists field herpers construction workers physicians environmental consultants photographers and more. We currently offer five unique training courses including the Level 1 Venomous Handling Certification Course the Level 2C: Introduction to Venomous Snakes in Captivity the Level 2R: Introduction to Field and Research Techniques a Continuing Education Certification Course and Venomous Snakes on the Jobsite. These courses support our mission and provide an effective model for human-snake conflict mitigation in areas where snakes are likely to come into contact with people.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 2025.
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 March 2017.
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 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.