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St Simons Land Trust

EIN 58-2598986 · St Simons Is, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ST. SIMONS LAND TRUST WAS FOUNDED IN 2000 TO CONSERVE UNDEVELOPED LAND AND ICONIC PROPERTIES THAT HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL, RECREATIONAL, SCENIC, HISTORIC, OR EDUCATIONAL VALUE AND THAT ENSURE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) IT FULFILLS THIS MISSION THROUGH: 1) LAND PROTECTION, 2) LAND MANAGEMENT, AND 3) EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
9
Volunteers
210
Highest pay
$179,267, 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

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 45% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 72% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    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, 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 (1)
  1. $699,041 spent. IN SEPTEMBER 2012, THE LAND TRUST ACQUIRED A 608-ACRE TRACT OF LAND ON THE NORTH-END OF ST. SIMONS ISLAND FEATURING MATURE MARITIME FOREST, SIX MILES OF MARSH SHORE LINE INCLUDING DEEP WATER FRONTAGE, AND UNIQUE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY IMPORTANT HABITAT FOR NATIVE PLANTS, WILDLIFE, AND MIGRATORY BIRDS. CANNON'S POINT PRESERVE IS NOW A MODEL OF COASTAL ECOLOGY, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, AND A PLATFORM FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION. IN 2016, THE LAND TRUST BEGAN WORKING ON INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO CANNON'S POINT, INCLUDING ADDED FEATURES FOR VISITORS SUCH AS RESTROOMS, AN EDUCATION PAVILION, AND A COASTAL ECOLOGY LAB. THE VISION OF THE LAND TRUST IS TO PROTECT AND CONSERVE LAND ON ST. SIMONS ISLAND THAT IS MOST VULNERABLE TO HIGH-DENSITY DEVELOPMENT AND TO PRESERVE THAT LAND IN PERPETUITY.IN AUGUST 2015, THE TRUST REACHED AN AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE THREE PARCELS OF LAND CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 260 ACRES THAT WAS PART OF THE FORMER MUSGROVE PLANTATION (NOW KNOWN AS GUALE PRESERVE). THE PLAN INCLUDED PURCHASING THE PARCELS IN THREE PHASES OVER THREE YEARS WITH FUNDING COMING FROM A COMBINATION OF INDIVIDUAL DONORS, PRIVATE AND PUBLIC FOUNDATIONS, AND GOVERNMENT GRANTS. ON MAY 17, 2016, THE TRUST COMPLETED THE PURCHASE OF GUALE PRESERVE PHASE I, CONSISTING OF 58.4 ACRES. ON FEBRUARY 14, 2017, THE TRUST COMPLETED THE PURCHASE OF PHASE II CONSISTING OF 90.225 ACRES. PHASE III CLOSED IN 2018 CONSISTING OF 109.2 ACRES. GUALE PRESERVE IS NOW AN IMPORTANT PROTECTED PROPERTY THAT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND LOW-IMPACT RECREATIONAL USE INCLUDING HIKING, RUNNING, BIKING, BIRDING. THE PRESERVE INCLUDES A MILE-AND-A-HALF LOOP KNOWN AS POLLY'S TRAIL ON PHASE II AND A QUARTER-MILE HIKING PATH KNOWN AS JANET'S TRAIL ON PHASE I. PHASE I ALSO INCLUDES A FAMILY PICNIC AND EDUCATIONAL BUILDING AND A BOAT RAMP THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR KAYAKERS, CANOEISTS, AND FISHERS USING MOTORIZED BOATS NO LONGER THAN 20 FEET IN LENGTH. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR LAUNCHING OF MOTORIZED BOATS. A THIRD HIKING TRAIL IS PLANNED FOR PHASE III.IN 2018, THE TRUST BEGAN AN INITIATIVE CALLED THE CANOPY CAMPAIGN, WHICH WAS ENVISIONED TO INCLUDE TWO TO FOUR PHASES. IT IS AN OVERARCHING STRATEGY TO PRESERVE ST. SIMONS FROM NORTH TO SOUTH THROUGH THE ACQUISITION AND CONSERVATION OF PROPERTIES WITH GREATEST ENVIRONMENTAL AND CULTURAL VALUES AND THAT ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO DEVELOPMENT.IN 2020, THE TRUST PURCHASED 3.059 ACRES OF GREEN SPACE ON KINGS WAY ON ST SIMONS ISLAND. THE TRUST ALSO SOLD A 20.85 ACRE PARCEL AT FREDERICA NORTH MARSH ON ST SIMONS ISLAND TO THE NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE.IN 2021, THE TRUST PURCHASED A 38.5 ACRE TRACT KNOW AS THE SINCLAIR TRACT. IN ADDITION, THE TRUST PURCHASED A THIRD OATLAND PROPERTY WITH 40.7 ACRES.IN 2023, THE TRUST OPENED A DOG FREINDLY NATURE TRAIL ON THE OATLAND PROPERTY PURCHASED IN 2021. THE TRUST PURCHASED A 10 ACRE TRACT KNOW AS THE GATEWAY PROPERTY WHICH HAD AN EXISTING PUBLIC WALKING TRIAL. THE ANCIENT DUNE TRAIL, THE THIRD HIKING TRAIL, ON THE GUALE PRESERVE PHASE III WAS COMPLETED.

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 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 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 June 2001.

    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.