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Conservation Nation

EIN 52-0853312 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To strengthen the conservation movement by funding and supporting conservationists from all communities, while educating and inspiring the next generation of wildlife champions.

Income
$989,290
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
20.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
13
Volunteers
38
Highest pay
$202,211, co-ceo

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 140% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 98% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    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 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)
  1. $777,771 spent. Inspiring the next generation: The Organization offers free programs to inspire and educate an inclusive generation of wildlife champions, with a special focus on middle school students in traditionally underestimated communities. We offer the Conservation Nation Academy program with a virtually accessible in-school curriculum featuring inspiring role model conservationists and we support field trips to provide awe-inspiring experiences in nature. Our education programs aspire to develop a student's conservation mindset and ethic, to build their confidence in nature, and to cultivate future conservation champions and leaders.
  2. $721,537 spent. Advancing conservation through the Collective: The Organization cultivates a global community of individuals and organizations focused on amplifying different perspectives in conservation to solve urgent biodiversity challenges. Through the Conservation Nation Collective, the Organization engages a select group of champions and donors to partner in designing and implementing wildlife conservation and education initiatives of personal and global significance. Through these multi-year initiatives, the program advances innovative, scalable conservation solutions while expanding access to conservation education, creating opportunities for youth to connect with nature, and strengthening pathways into conservation careers. The program also builds the capacity of community-based conservation and education organizations to increase impact and long-term sustainability. Program expenses support the development, implementation, and expansion of these initiatives and related program activities.
  3. $329,945 spent. Supporting Wildlife Conservationists: The Organization offers support to help save wildlife and their habitats around the world and builds a stronger and all-encompassing wildlife conservation community focused on solving urgent biodiversity challenges. Our programs provide funding and support to conservationists from all communities to advance their critical work and opportunities to emerging conservationists that would otherwise be beyond their reach. Programs include grants, professional development, fellowships, and internships. These conservationists then become powerful role models for the students we reach, thereby creating a much-needed 'flywheel of support' with energy powered by supporting today's wildlife champions who in turn inspire tomorrow's wildlife champions as they take the mantle and become the next larger group of inspiring role models, and so on.

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

  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 December 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 November 1972.

    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.

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.