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Bluegrass Land Conservancy Inc

EIN 61-1293032 · Lexington, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOUNDED IN 1995, BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY IS A COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED, NONPROFIT, NATIONALLY ACCREDITED LAND TRUST WORKING TO PROTECT LAND IN THE BLUEGRASS REGION OF KENTUCKY THROUGH PERMANENT CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. WE DO THIS THROUGH EDUCATION AND BY PROMOTING THE PRESERVATION OF LAND FOR AGRICULTURE, HISTORIC AND CULTURAL HERITAGE, WILDLIFE HABITAT, NATURAL RESOURCES, WATER QUALITY, AND SCENIC OPEN SPACE, TO SUSTAIN A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE.

Income
$6.6 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
50.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 61%
Employees
13
Volunteers
32
Highest pay
$185,552, counsel & director of conservation

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 50.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 76% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 115% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $1.2 million spent. FOUNDED IN 1995, BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY IS A COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED, NONPROFIT, NATIONALLY ACCREDITED LAND TRUST WORKING TO PROTECT THE BLUEGRASS REGION OF KENTUCKY THROUGH LAND CONSERVATION FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. IT ENCOURAGES THE PRESERVATION OF THESE LANDS FOR AGRICULTURAL VIABILITY, NATURAL HABITAT, RURAL HERITAGE, AND SCENIC OPEN SPACE. THANKS TO INCREASING COMMUNITY SUPPORT, THE CONSERVANCY HAS ASSISTED NUMEROUS FARM FAMILIES TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT OVER 33,700 ACRES USING CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. AN ALL-VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS GOVERNS BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY, WHILE A SMALL STAFF CARRIES ON OUR DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS SUCH AS ASSISTING FAMILIES WITH CONSERVING THEIR FARMS, PROVIDING GUIDANCE TOWARDS THE LONG-TERM MONITORING AND STEWARDSHIP OF PROTECTED LANDS, UPHOLDING THE LONG-TERM CONSERVATION VISION FOR EACH PROPERTY, AND EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND CONSERVATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 February 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 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.