Edisto Island Open Land Trust Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO PRESERVE THE RURAL QUALITY OF LIFE ON EDISTO BY PROTECTING LANDS, WATERWAYS, SCENIC VISTAS, AND HERITAGE THROUGH CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION.
- Income
- $3.4 million
- Spending
- $922,035
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 29.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 84%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 75
- Highest pay
- $133,002, executive di
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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 29.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 73% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 113% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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)
- $622,513 spent. EDISTO ISLAND OPEN LAND TRUSTS MAIN GOAL IS TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE LAND THAT MAKES EDISTO ISLAND SPECIAL. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED PRIMARILY BY ACCEPTING CONSERVATION EASEMENT DONATIONS FROM CONCERNED LANDOWNERS OR PURCHASING FEE OWNERSHIP OF LAND. THE ORGANIZATION CURRENTLY PROTECTS OVER 4,200 ACRES OF LAND. MOST OF THAT LAND IS PROTECTED THROUGH CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. THE ORGANIZATION FOLLOWS LAND TRUST ALLIANCE PRACTICES TO ENSURE ETHICAL AND RESPONSIBLE OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION AS A LAND TRUST, AND IS A NATIONALLY ACCREDITED LAND TRUST. THE LAND TRUST ALSO OVERSEES THE LEGACY LIVE OAK PROGRAM, STEWARDSHIP PROJECTS, AND EFFORTS TOWARDS IMPROVING WATER QUALITY IN EDISTO ISLAND CREEKS.
- $128,330 spent. THE HUTCHINSON HOUSE, CONSTRUCTED AROUND 1885, IS ONE OF THE OLDEST SURVIVING HOUSES BUILT BY AFRICAN AMERICANS DURING THE RECONSTRUCTION ERA ON EDISTO ISLAND. WHEN THE PROPERTY WENT FOR SALE, A COMMUNITY WIDE PUSH WAS MADE TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY TO PRESERVE THE HOME. THE EDISTO ISLAND OPEN LAND TRUST STEPPED UP AS THE ORGANIZATION TO PURCHASE THE HOME. WITH THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF THE CHARLESTON COUNTY GREENBELT PROGRAM, THE ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE THE ADJACENT 9 ACRE PARCEL IN 2019 TO BUFFER THE HOME FROM RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT. NOW THE EDISTO ISLAND OPEN LAND TRUST OWNS THE HOME AND THE LAND IT SITS ON WITH THE GOAL OF RESTORING THE HOME, INTERPRETING THE HISTORY OF THE LAND, AND BUILDING A COMMUNITY DRIVEN PUBLIC GREENSPACE FOR EDISTO ISLAND.
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 1994.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.