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Lower Shore Land Trust Inc

EIN 52-1701152 · Snow Hill, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Lower Shore Land Trust protects and restores natural resources, wildlife habitat and working lands to support and connect healthy and vibrant communities.

Income
$601,741
Spending
$709,069
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
22.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 40%
Employees
10
Volunteers
25

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 22.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

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

  • 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, 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 (6)
  1. $205,322 spent. RESTORATION: Through its habitat restoration program, LSLT completed eight projects that established over 52 acres of wildlife habitat. These projects were implemented on both private properties and congregational lands as part of the organization role in the One Water Partnership. A total of 46 volunteers participated in restoration efforts, supporting practices that improve water quality, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
  2. $148,975 spent. SHARED PROGRAM COSTS
  3. $89,943 spent. GENERAL PROGRAMMING: Beyond direct land and water conservation work, LSLT played a central coordinating and leadership role among conservation partners in the region. The organization continued to facilitate collaboration through the Delmarva Restoration and Conservation Network, the Newport Bay hole Watershed Project, and the One Water Partnership. These efforts strengthen partnerships among NGOs, government agencies, and communities to achieve landscape-scale conservation outcomes across the Delmarva Peninsula.
  4. $20,673 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: LSLT hosted a range of outreach and education events throughout 2024, focusing on conservation awareness, sustainable land management, and community engagement. Programs included farmer education on soil health and pasture management, workshops on native landscaping, guided bird walks, and presentations on LSLT conservation initiatives.
  5. $15,401 spent. STEWARDSHIP: LSLT stewardship program ensured the ongoing integrity of conserved lands through annual monitoring and support for conservation easement landowners. In 2024, the organization visited 139 properties, encompassing over 24,000 acres. LSLT also trained and engaged 18 volunteers to assist with site visits and monitoring efforts, building capacity and fostering community involvement in conservation stewardship.
  6. $4,690 spent. LAND PROTECTION: In 2024, Lower Shore Land Trust (LSLT) completed two conservation easement projects, permanently protecting 158.648 acres of farmland, forest, and wildlife habitat. These easements contribute to the long-term protection of the Lower Shore rural landscape and ecological resources. In addition, LSLT began work on ten new conservation projects, anticipated to close in 2025 or 2026. All land protection activities were conducted in alignment with the Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices, with an emphasis on collaborative, voluntary conservation with private landowners.

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 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 2024.

    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 February 1993.

    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.