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Athens Land Trust Inc

EIN 58-2154133 · Athens, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE ATHENS LAND TRUST (ALT) IS BOTH A CONSERVATION AND COMMUNITY LAND TRUST, PROTECTING AND STEWARDING LAND FOR ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING PURPOSES. ALT PROVIDES EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS, YOUTH THROUGH PAID JOB TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, AND NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS THROUGH ADVISORY BOARD TRAININGS. ALT SUPPORTS NEW AND BEGINNING FARMERS THROUGH INCUBATION, WORKSHOPS, CLASSES, AND ACCESS TO FARMLAND.

Income
$4.6 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 42%
Employees
52
Volunteers
138
Highest pay
$110,840, former execu

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 57% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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. $1.6 million spent. AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM: ATHENS LAND TRUST PROVIDES QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO LOW-TO-MODERATE INCOME RESIDENTS OF ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY, GEORGIA BY CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HOMES AND RENOVATION OF EXISTING HOMES. THE PROGRAM PRODUCES ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES THAT REMAIN AFFORDABLE BY THE USE OF GROUND LEASES AGREEMENTS AND THE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST MODEL. ALT ALSO OFFERS THE YOUNG URBAN BUILDERS (YUB) PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES JOB SKILLS TRAINING AND EDUCATION CENTERED AROUND RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION TO YOUTH IN ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY. ADDITIONALLY, ATHENS LAND TRUST IS A HUD APPROVED HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCY AND PROVIDES BOTH INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP EDUCATION SERVICES TO CLARKE, OCONEE, BARROW, JACKSON, ELBERT, MADISON, OGLETHORPE, WALTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES.
  2. $1.8 million spent. OTHER COMMUNITY AND CONSERVATION PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM STRIVES TO SUPPORT HEALTHY, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES BY PROTECTING FARMLAND AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES, DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM, STRENGTHENING THE LOCAL ECONOMY AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL, AND BUILDING KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL FOOD ISSUES AND THE BENEFITS OF EATING FRESH, LOCAL PRODUCE. ALT ALSO OFFERS THE YOUNG URBAN FARMERS (YUF) PROGRAM AND YOUNG CONSERVATION STEWARDS (YCS) PROGRAM THAT PROVIDE JOB SKILLS TRAINING AND EDUCATION CENTERED AROUND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND CONSERVATION PRACTICES TO YOUTH IN ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY. CONSERVATION EASEMENTS - ATHENS LAND TRUST PERMANENTLY PROTECTS GREENSPACE BY ACCEPTING, MONITORING, AND ENFORCING PERMANENT CONSERVATION EASEMENTS THAT PROTECT THE LAND'S CONSERVATION VALUES. OTHER COMMUNITY AND CONSERVATION PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM STRIVES TO SUPPORT HEALTHY, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES BY PROTECTING FARMLAND AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES, DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM, STRENGTHENING THE LOCAL ECONOMY AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL, AND BUILDING KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL FOOD ISSUES AND THE BENEFITS OF EATING FRESH, LOCAL PRODUCE. ALT ALSO OFFERS THE YOUNG URBAN FARMERS (YUF) PROGRAM AND YOUNG CONSERVATION STEWARDS (YCS) PROGRAM THAT PROVIDE JOB SKILLS TRAINING AND EDUCATION CENTERED AROUND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND CONSERVATION PRACTICES TO YOUTH IN ATHENS-CLARKE COUNTY. CONSERVATION EASEMENTS - ATHENS LAND TRUST PERMANENTLY PROTECTS GREENSPACE BY ACCEPTING, MONITORING, AND ENFORCING PERMANENT CONSERVATION EASEMENTS THAT PROTECT THE LAND'S CONSERVATION VALUES.

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 September 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.