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Southern Conservation Trust Inc

EIN 58-2036727 · Fayetteville, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SOUTHERN CONSERVATION TRUST elevates nature through exceptional stewardship of public and conserved lands and by providing environmental education TO ALL AGES.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 41%
Employees
22
Volunteers
287
Highest pay
$145,703, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 79 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 34 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 December 31, 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. $519,559 spent. Stewardship- protecting and enhancing the conservation values of the lands acquired by the trust, and doing so in perpetuity, is an important aspect of the trust's work. the trust evaluates each property it holds for its conservation value, as well as the threats to these values, and develops and implements a stewardship plan based on this analysis. the plan includes detailed monitoring on an annual basis. current costs associated with the trust's stewardship efforts are expensed as incurred. the costs of future obligations represent a commitment of the trust and will be recorded as they are incurred.
  2. $181,088 spent. Public Nature Areas - Protecting and enhancing the conservation values of lands acquired by the Trust is some of the most important work in which the Trust is involved. It is the responsibility of the Stewardship Program to protect conservation values and to be a good neighbor and community member for all Trust properties through science-based management. The Trust evaluates every property for its conservation value, the threats to these values, and for opportunities to enhance conservation values through responsible management.
  3. $171,270 spent. Conservation - The Trust conserves the most important and threatened land using all the tools of private, voluntary land conservation. The Trust works exclusively with willing landowners to find ways to conserve, forever, the scenic and natural values of the land and water. Landowners donate or sell a conservation interest in their land, such as development rights or full ownership, to the Trust. The Trust manages the land under a stewardship plan and, if necessary, legally defends its conservation values. The Trust also identifies priority conservation lands to purchase. Further, the Trust conserves working forest and agricultural land for the purpose of keeping the land in resource production. The Trust conserved 56,538 acres.
  4. $147,865 spent. EDUCATION - Southern Conservation Trust provides hands-on environmental education programs that connect people of all ages with the natural world. Each year, more than 3,500 students participate in educational experiences at the Trust's approximately 14-acre Nature Center campus in downtown Fayetteville, Georgia. Programming includes curriculum-aligned field trips, in-school outreach, monthly public education programs, multi-week summer camps, and customized STEM-based learning experiences led by experienced environmental educators. The Nature Center features live animal ambassadors and interactive exhibits that foster environmental stewardship through immersive learning. Southern Conservation Trust also partners with municipalities to expand environmental education opportunities throughout neighboring communities and collaborates with Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta to provide outdoor education and leadership experiences. Through these initiatives, the Trust inspires lifelong appreciation for nature while supporting classroom learning and conservation awareness.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 November 6, 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 December 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 March 1994.

    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 November 4, 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.