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Izaak Walton League of America Inc

EIN 52-6042947 · Poolesville, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To develop and maintain our conservation farm as the best example of living resource management and habitat conservation in Montgomery County, Maryland, in the United States of America, and in the World. Our all volunteer membership strives to demonstrate the application of responsible, science-based conservation of the soil, water in ponds and streams, wetlands, fields and wildlife. Our farm is a reflection of the healthy ecological attitude of our membership. We see our farm as a 573-acre classroom in which to plant the seeds of ecological awareness, responsibility and respect.

Income
$183,047
Spending
$165,059
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
0
Volunteers
247

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 81 out of 100.

  • 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

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (4)
  1. $67,112 spent. CHAPTER HOUSE - The Chapter House is the focal point for all monthly general membership, board of directors, committee, youth achievement, boy scout, girl scout and affiliated conservation group meetings. All conservation and educational activities are planned and conducted from the Chapter House. It was destroyed by an arson fire in 1988 and since has been completely rebuilt.
  2. $41,341 spent. CONSERVATION FARM MANAGEMENT - Conduct active and continuing farming agricultural programs, maintain nature trails and exhibits for guided and unguided educational tours for 700 members, their families and guests, boy and girl scout troops, public school classes, and other invited organization and public guests, annual seedling planting program for reforestation purposes, wildlife management planting and habitat development, and Christmas tree planting and sales to the community. Develop and maintain two ponds and their related wildlife habitats for the educational use of those noted above. Maintain practice ranges for archery, trap, skeet, and rifle for use by members, the law enforcement community, and for conducting annual hunter, archery and firearms safety classes. Maintain wooded acreage for wildlife habitat, and boy and girl scout camp ground. Maintain open fields, fields under cultivation and protective feeding areas for wildlife. Prepare and provide cultivated plots for use as vegetable and flower gardens by members.
  3. $7,791 spent. CONSERVATION PROGRAMS AND HUNTER EDUCATION - Conduct wildlife management programs including the establishment and maintenance of feed patches, cover plantings, nesting and productive areas for birds and other small animals. Provide funds for high school ecology programs and fellowships for college students studying conservation, the environmental sciences and ecological studies. Conduct organized and active programs on the conservation farm to include those to inform and involve various adult and youth community groups in conservation, ecological and environmental matters. Arrange and conduct both used conservation day and youth achievement day, scout days and other events featuring guided tours through the conservation farm, displays, educational programs and discussions. The discussions are led by our own members as well as invited professionals to include members of the Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. County, state, and other governmental and nonprofit representatives also participate to discuss career and fellowship opportunities with interested parties. These programs are open to our 900 members their families and guests and the general public.
  4. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: MONTHLY DINNER MEETINGS AND OTHER EVENTS - Provide a forum for member discussion of current topics and events.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 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? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 August 2024.

    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 April 1985.

    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.