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West Virginia Land Trust Inc

EIN 55-0740909 · Charleston, WV

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceGood89 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE WVLT PROTECTS "SPECIAL PLACES" IN WV, WHICH INCLUDE LANDS THAT GIVE WV ITS DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER AND EXHIBIT SIGNIFICANT CONSERVATION VALUES. THOSE VALUES SPAN A RANGE OF PUBLIC BENEFITS, INCLUDING WATER QUALITY PROTECTION, RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, AGRICULTURAL SITES, AND SITES THAT PROTECT CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL RESOURCES. WVLT ALSO OPERATES A SIGNIFICANT OUTREACH PROGRAM THAT ENGAGES THE PUBLIC, AGENCIES, AND ORGANIZATIONS IN RECOGNIZING AND ENJOYING THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR SPACES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC USE.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
34.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
11
Volunteers
186
Highest pay
$126,072, executive director

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 34.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 60% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 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 (3)
  1. $250,768 spent. CONSERVATION OF SPECIAL PLACES: WVLT PROTECTS LAND BY ACQUIRING PROPERTIES IN FEE, THROUGH CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, OR BY FACILITATING ACQUISITIONS (THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS OR VIA LOANS) FOR OTHER ENTITIES, INCLUDING PUBLIC AGENCIES AND OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. WVLT CONSIDERS OPPORTUNITIES ACCORDING TO ITS CONSERVATION CRITERIA AND AN ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTIES' CONSERVATION VALUES WITH AN EXTENSIVE PROCESS OF DUE DILIGENCE. IT ACQUIRES LANDS IN FEE THROUGH PURCHASE (FOR WHICH IT RAISES FUNDS), BARGAIN SALES, OR DONATIONS. FOR CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, WVLT WORKS WITH VOLUNTARY LANDOWNERS AND EVALUATES PROPERTIES ACCORDING TO ITS INTERNAL CRITERIA AND PURPOSES AS DEFINED BY THE IRS CODE. EASEMENTS MAY BE ACQUIRED THROUGH PURCHASE, BARGAIN SALES, OR DONATIONS.
  2. $328,890 spent. STEWARDSHIP (PROPERTY AND EASEMENT MAINTENANCE): UPON SECURING A CONSERVATION EASEMENT, THE WVLT INITIATES AN ANNUAL MONITORING PROGRAM TO ENSURE THAT THE COVENANTS IN THE EASEMENT ARE ADHERED TO AND THAT THE CONSERVATION VALUES THAT HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED ARE PROTECTED IN PERPETUITY. IF THERE ARE VIOLATIONS OF THE EASEMENT, THE WVLT WILL WORK WITH THE OWNER TO DEVELOP AN ACTION PLAN TO MITIGATE ANY DAMAGES AND IF NECESSARY, WILL LEGALLY DEFEND THE EASEMENT IN COURT. WHEN THE LAND TRUST ACQUIRES PROPERTY IN FEE, IT DETERMINES THE APPROPRIATE USES(S) FOR THE LAND AND ELABORATES A MANAGEMENT PLAN THAT SERVES THOSE USES. THOSE USES ARE DEVELOPED WITH MAXIMUM PUBLIC BENEFIT IN MIND. ON A PRESERVE THAT IS TO BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, THOSE USES MAY INCLUDE TRAIL NETWORKS, STREAMSIDE PROTECTION, OR INTERACTIVE SERVICES FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.
  3. $313,751 spent. PUBLIC EDUCATION: AS THE ONLY STATEWIDE LAND TRUST, THE WVLT WORKS TO EDUCATE LOCAL GROUPS AND COMMUNITIES ABOUT THE VALUE OF LAND CONSERVATION, BOTH FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND LAND USE PERSPECTIVE. STRATEGIES INCLUDE DEVELOPMENT OF WEB BASED MATERIALS, DISTRIBUTION OF VARIOUS PRINTED MATERIALS, TRAINING AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES, EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATION TO CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS AND ATTENDANCE AT COMMUNITY FORUMS. WVLT ALSO HOSTS (ALONE OR IN PARTNERSHIPS) OUTINGS SUCH AS HIKES, RIVER FLOATS, AND OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY THE EXPANDED PORTFOLIO OF CONSERVED LANDS AROUND THE STATE.

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 July 1995.

    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.