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Sonoma Land Trust

EIN 51-0197006 · Santa Rosa, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROTECT THE SCENIC, NATURAL, CULTURAL, AGRICULTURAL AND OPEN LANDSCAPES OF SONOMA COUNTY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITY AND FUTURE GENERATIONS BY DEVELOPING LONG-TERM LAND PROTECTION STRATEGIES; (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) PROMOTING PRIVATE AND PUBLIC FUNDING FOR LAND CONSERVATION; ACQUIRING LAND AND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS; PRACTICING STEWARDSHIP, INCLUDING THE RESTORATION OF CONSERVATION PROPERTIES; PROMOTING A SENSE OF PLACE AND A LAND ETHIC THROUGH ACTIVITIES, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$6.3 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
113.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 69%
Employees
0
Volunteers
21

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 113.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 251% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 93% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 33 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (1)
  1. $5.2 million spent. LAND ACQUISITIONS: WE WORK WITH LANDOWNERS TO ASSESS AND UNDERSTAND GOALS FOR THEIR PROPERTIES, WHICH CAN LEAD TO AN ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY OR CONSERVATION EASEMENT, OR A TRANSFER OF PROPERTY TO THE PUBLIC. TRANSACTIONS ARE NEGOTIATED TO PROVIDE THE BEST OUTCOME FOR THE LANDOWNER WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF PERMANENTLY PRESERVING LAND WHETHER THE FINAL OWNERSHIP IS PRIVATE OR PUBLIC. LAND STEWARDSHIP: WE WORK WITH THE LAND AND COMMUNITY TO RESTORE AND PROTECT NATIVE HABITATS, CREEKS, WILDLIFE CORRIDORS, PRODUCTIVE FARMS AND RANCHES, AND OTHER PERMANENTLY PROTECTED PRIVATE LANDS UNDER OUR CARE. THE PROGRAM CURRENTLY STEWARDS 23 CONSERVATION PROPERTIES TOTALING MORE THAN 6,900 ACRES AND ACTIVELY (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) MONITORS 47 CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROPERTIES TOTALING MORE THAN 8,100 ACRES. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: WE OFFER A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES, EDUCATION AND OUTREACH AIMED AT ENGAGING AUDIENCES AS DIVERSE AS THE LANDS AND COMMUNITIES WE REPRESENT. OFFERINGS INCLUDE ON-THE-LAND, VIRTUAL AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCES IN ADDITION TO EDUCATION PROGRAMS, INCLUDING SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS AND TEEN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1976.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.

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