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Lemon Bay Conservancy

EIN 59-6510980 · Englewood, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LEMON BAY CONSERVANCY WORKS TO PROTECT THE WILDLIFE AND HABITATS OF LEMON BAY, GASPARILLA SOUND, AND THEIR WATERSHEDS THROUGH LAND PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION, WATER QUALITY INITIATIVES, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY FOR SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION POLICIES.

Income
$365,716
Spending
$97,054
Spent on programs
43%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
3
Volunteers
135

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: 75 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

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 73% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    42% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 91 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (5)
  1. $31,264 spent. LEMON CREEK WILDFLOWER PRESERVE IS AN 80 ACRE PRESERVE PURCHASED IN 2010. OVER THE NEXT 11 YEARS, THE PROPERTY WAS RESTORED FROM AN 18 HOLE EXECUTIVE GOLF COURSE TO A VARIETY OF UPLAND HABITATS AND FRESH AND SALT WATER PONDS THAT FEED INTO LEMON CREEK. THE PRESERVE IS OPEN TO LBC MEMBERS DAILY AND TO THE PUBLIC FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED TOURS AND EVENTS. IN 2025, THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 60 VOLUNTEERS THAT PARTICIPATED IN LAND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES AT THE PRESERVE. IN ADDITION TO LAND MANAGEMENT THE VOLUNTEERS ASSIST WITH MONTHLY WATER QUALITY TESTING, WEEKLY BIRD SURVEYS, PLANT SURVIVAL SURVEYS, TARPON NET PULLS, GUIDED NATURE WALKS AND THE ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE EVENT.
  2. $4,461 spent. LEMON BAYWATCH IS LEMON BAY CONSERVANCY'S WATER QUALITY PROGRAM. IT INCLUDES SEVERAL INITIATIVES-EYES ON SEAGRASS, WATER QUALITY TESTING, GUIDED KAYAK TOURS, NATIVE CLAM RESERACH AND RESTORATION AND VERTICAL OYSTER GARDENS. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 50 VOLUNTEERS THAT HELP TO MAKE THESE INITIATIVES SUCCESSFUL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. EYES ON SEAGRASS IS A MONITORING EVENT THAT OCCURS TWICE PER YEAR AT SEVERAL SITES. THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO LOCAL AND STATE PARTNERS IN A LARGE EFFORT TO TRACK THE STATUS OF LOCAL SEAGRASS BEDS. VERTICAL OYSTER GARDENS HAS BECOME A VERY POPULAR METHOD OF REACHING OUT TO PRIVATE LANDOWNERS FOR MANY ORGANIZATIONS. OYSTER SHELLS ARE RECYCLED FROM LOCAL RESTAURANTS, CLEANED, DRILLED AND HUNG ON A ROPE THAT CAN BE TIED UNDERNEATH A DOCK. IT IS A GREAT OUTREACH TOOL AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS TO HELP REBUILD THE OYSTER POPULATION AND FILTER THE WATER. LEMON BAYWATCH IS LEMON BAY CONSERVANCY'S WATER QUALITY PROGRAM. IT INCLUDES SEVERAL INITIATIVES-EYES ON SEAGRASS, WATER QUALITY TESTING, GUIDED KAYAK TOURS, NATIVE CLAM RESERACH AND RESTORATION AND VERTICAL OYSTER GARDENS. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 50 VOLUNTEERS THAT HELP TO MAKE THESE INITIATIVES SUCCESSFUL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. EYES ON SEAGRASS IS A MONITORING EVENT THAT OCCURS TWICE PER YEAR AT SEVERAL SITES. THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO LOCAL AND STATE PARTNERS IN A LARGE EFFORT TO TRACK THE STATUS OF LOCAL SEAGRASS BEDS. VERTICAL OYSTER GARDENS HAS BECOME A VERY POPULAR METHOD OF REACHING OUT TO PRIVATE LANDOWNERS FOR MANY ORGANIZATIONS. OYSTER SHELLS ARE RECYCLED FROM LOCAL RESTAURANTS, CLEANED, DRILLED AND HUNG ON A ROPE THAT CAN BE TIED UNDERNEATH A DOCK. IT IS A GREAT OUTREACH TOOL AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS TO HELP REBUILD THE OYSTER POPULATION AND FILTER THE WATER.
  3. $2,078 spent. LBC DEVELOPED A BURROWING OWL INITIATIVES IN 2024 TO ASSIST WITH MAPPING AND MONITORING A COLONY OF OWLS IN OUR SERVICE AREA. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 20 VOLUNTEERS ASSISITNG WITH THIS PROGRAM THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE VOLUNTEERS ARE ASSISTING WITH MARKING BURROWS, LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, OUTREACH AND LAND ACQUISITION. LBC CURRENTLY OWNS 7 LOTS IN THIS DEVELOPMENT AND WILL CONTINUE TO PURCHASE MORE AS FUNDING AND SALES BECOME AVAILABLE. ADDITIONAL PIORITIES INCLUE THE 40+ CURRENTLY ACTIVE BURROWS AND THEIR ADJACENT LOTS. PARTNERSHIPS FOR THIS PROJECT INCLUDE PEACE RIVER AUDUBON SOCIETY, FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION, AND NEIGHBORHOOD LAND CONSERVANCY.
  4. $3,440 spent. LBC PARTICIPATES IN MANY METHODS FOR OUTREACH AND EDUCATION. OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE CONTINUES TO GROW THROUGHT FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM AND WEBSITE INTERACTIONS HAVE ALSO BEEN GROWING. VOLUNTEERS ASSIST WITH WRITING AND DISTRIBUTING AN ANNUAL NEWSLETTER AND WITH OUTREACH EVENTS. OUR NEWSLETTER IS MAILED TO OUR 500+ MEMBERS AND DONORS. WE HOST A FREE MONTHLY COASTAL CONSERVATION SPEAKER SERIES FROM DECEMBER THROUGH MARCH AND BRING IN PROFESSIONALS TO PRESENT ON IMPORTANT LOCAL CONSERVATION ISSUES. THESE EVENTS ARE TYPICALLY A FULL HOUSE AT AROUND 50-60 ATTENDEES EACH MONTH. WE ALSO HOST TABLES AT EVENTS FOR EARTH DAY, ENGLEWOOD BEACH WATERFEST AND MANY OTHER LOCALLY SPONSORED EVENTS WITH OUR PARTNERS. THESE EVENTS PROVIDE OUTREACH TO 1,000 OR MORE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ANNUALLY.
  5. LBC PARTICIPATES IN MANY METHODS FOR OUTREACH AND EDUCATION. OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE CONTINUES TO GROW THROUGHT FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM AND WEBSITE INTERACTIONS HAVE ALSO BEEN GROWING. VOLUNTEERS ASSIST WITH WRITING AND DISTRIBUTING AN ANNUAL NEWSLETTER AND WITH OUTREACH EVENTS. OUR NEWSLETTER IS MAILED TO OUR 500+ MEMBERS AND DONORS. WE HOST A FREE MONTHLY COASTAL CONSERVATION SPEAKER SERIES FROM DECEMBER THROUGH MARCH AND BRING IN PROFESSIONALS TO PRESENT ON IMPORTANT LOCAL CONSERVATION ISSUES. THESE EVENTS ARE TYPICALLY A FULL HOUSE AT AROUND 50-60 ATTENDEES EACH MONTH. WE ALSO HOST TABLES AT EVENTS FOR EARTH DAY, ENGLEWOOD BEACH WATERFEST AND MANY OTHER LOCALLY SPONSORED EVENTS WITH OUR PARTNERS. THESE EVENTS PROVIDE OUTREACH TO 1,000 OR MORE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ANNUALLY.

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 October 13, 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 1979.

    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 October 21, 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.