Pinchot Institute for Conservation
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE PINCHOT INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION IS A PUBLIC BENEFIT NON-PROFIT CORPORATION. WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT PROTECTING NATURE AND CREATING BREAKTHROUGHS THAT RESULT IN MORE SUSTAIANABLE ECOSYSTEMS AND ECONOMIES. THE INSTITUTE IS NON-PARTISAN AND INCLUSIVE,AND WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH PARTNERS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS ON NEW THINKING, POLICIES, AND ACTIONS THAT, IN GIFFORD PINCHOT'S WORDS, RESULT IN "...THE GREATEST GOOD, FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER, IN THE LONG RUN."
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- -0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 94%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $315,000, project dire
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
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 113% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 67% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 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, 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 (2)
- $1.1 million spent. U.S. CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM: WORK THE INSTITUTE CARRIES OUT IN COOPERATION WITH THE U.S. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) ASSISTS IN THE ACQUISITION, ASSESSMENT, MONITORING, AND PROTECTION OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE U.S. THE PROGRAM HAS THREE COMPONENTS INVOLVING THREE SENIOR STAFF MEMBERS WITH EXPERTISE IN ALL PHASES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S EASEMENT PROGRAM. THEIR WORK HELPS ASSURE THAT FORMER AND CURRENT WORKING LANDS CONSERVED THROUGH TAXPAYER INVESTMENTS, ARE APPROPRIATELY VALUED, MANAGED, AND PROTECTED.
- U.S. FOREST SERVICE: A PROJECT WAS FUNDED AND COMMENCED IN THE LATTER MONTHS OF 2023 TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO FOREST SERVICE OFFICIALS BY BRINGING STAKEHOLDERS TOGETHER FOR FIRE PLANNING, RESPONSE AND RESTORATION AFTER THE WILDFIRE RESPONSE. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION ON A GEOGRAPHIC LOCALITY LEVEL, AND ACHIEVE BETTER INTEGRATION OF STAKEHOLDER NEEDS AND IMPROVE RESULTS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1995.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Caution.
California's Attorney General lists its registration as revoked as of December 31, 2005. Organizations on this list may not solicit donations in California.
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.