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Conservation Florida Inc

EIN 59-3613021 · Orlando, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CONSERVATION FLORIDA'S MISSION IS TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT FLORIDA'S WATER, WILDLIFE, AND WILD PLACES - THE PLACES THAT MAKE FLORIDA HOME.

Income
$11.5 million
Spending
$3.6 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
-13.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 50%
Employees
13
Volunteers
220
Highest pay
$186,841, chief executive officer

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 68% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 220% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • 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 (2)
  1. $2.8 million spent. Land Protection: From the Panhandle to the Florida Keys, our land protection projects are focused on safeguarding Florida's water, wildlife, and wild places - the natural and working lands that make Florida home. Conservation Florida protects lands with natural, agricultural, and community values that help protect some of the rarest habitats and species in the world while ensuring they remain connected and protected for generations to come. In 2025, this included projects that permanently protected lands critical to water quality, wildlife habitat, and agricultural heritage. We worked with landowners, including ranchers and farmers, to keep working lands in production, while also advancing projects that strengthen community conservation - ensuring Floridians benefit from clean water, outdoor recreation, and places to connect with nature. We continue to prioritize collaboration with partners across Florida to strengthen conservation statewide. By working together at a landscape scale, we advance projects that have lasting significance for Florida's environment, economy, and communities.
  2. $488,193 spent. Advocacy, Education, Outreach: Our education, events, and advocacy efforts are aimed at supporting our mission to protect the Sunshine State's water, wildlife, and wild places - the places that make Florida home. Conservation Florida provides a wide array of opportunities for Floridians to develop a love for the land and to protect the land that protects them. Our goal is to meet people where they are in their communities. In 2025, this included educational programming across the state, guided hikes, volunteer and trail building days at our public preserve, and Conservation on Tap gatherings that bring communities together to learn about our mission and land protection work. These hands-on experiences bring people closer to the wild places that make Florida, Florida. In addition, we continue to prioritize collaboration with partners across Florida to strengthen land conservation statewide. Our team advocates for meaningful, consistent conservation funding at the local and state levels, engaging directly with policymakers to promote the importance of protecting Florida's natural heritage.

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 October 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.