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Potomac Conservancy Inc

EIN 52-1842501 · Bethesda, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

POTOMAC CONSERVANCY SAFEGUARDS THE LAND AND WATERS OF THE POTOMAC RIVER AND ITS TRIBUTARIES AND CONNECTS PEOPLE TO THIS NATIONAL TREASURE.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
27
Volunteers
1,461
Highest pay
$234,966, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 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 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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.

  • 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 September 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 (4)
  1. $722,365 spent. COMMUNITY CONSERVATION: WE MOBILIZE THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS IN HANDS-ON RESTORATION EFFORTS TO RAISE AWARENESS, INSPIRE ACTION AND EMPOWER OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
  2. $628,207 spent. LAND PROTECTION: WE WORK ONE-ON-ONE WITH PRIVATE LANDOWNERS TO PROTECT FORESTED AND OPEN SPACE LANDS IN THE HEADWATERS REGIONS AND PROVIDE RESOURCES TO ENSURE OUR WORKING LANDS ARE BOTH PRODUCTIVE AND RIVER-FRIENDLY.
  3. $429,702 spent. COMMUNICATIONS: WE LEAD GROWTH INITIATVES THROUGH ONLINE ENGAGEMENT, MARKETING AND BRAND DEVELOPMENT. CONSERVATION IMPACT OF THE POTOMAC RIVER IS COMMUNICATED TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH 'THE POTOMAC RIVER REPORT CARD', AN ANNUAL REPORT DETAILING THE POTOMAC RIVER'S HEALTH GRADE, 'RISING TO THE CHALLENGE', A LOCAL ENVIRONMENT SERIES PUBLICATION, AND THE CONSERVANCY'S ANNUAL REPORT WHICH CELEBRATES THE CONSERVANCY'S PROGRESS TO PREVENT POLLUTION, SAVE OUR REGION'S FORESTS AND BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES.
  4. $314,125 spent. PUBLIC POLICY: WE BUILD A VIBRANT AND DIVERSE RIVER CONSTITUENCY IN TARGETED COUNTIES TO ADVOCATE FOR, AND SUCCESSFULLY URGE PASSAGE OF, RIVER-FRIENDLY LAND USE POLICIES THAT HAVE BROAD IMPACT ON WATER QUALITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 October 13, 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 September 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 October 1993.

    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 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.