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Lookout Mountain Conservancy

EIN 62-1460535 · Chattanooga, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN CONSERVANCY IS TO LEAD THE WAY IN COMMUNITY-CENTERED CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION BY PROVIDING EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE ACCESS TO THE MOUNTAIN'S NATURAL BEAUTY, WILDLIFE HABITATS, RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND PLACES OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE.

Income
$859,030
Spending
$757,559
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
-1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
32
Highest pay
$110,415, president/ce

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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. $577,101 spent. CONTINUED TO PROTECT AND CONSERVE LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN'S NATURAL RESOURCES FOR SCENIC, HISTORICAL, ECOLOGICAL AND RECREATIONAL PURPOSES; ASSISTED LANDOWNERS IN ONGOING STEWARDSHIP AND CONSERVATION EFFORTS; PARTNERED WITH HOWARD HIGH SCHOOL AND YOUTH GROUPS TO RUN A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED PROGRAM USING LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN AS AN OUT-DOOR CLASSROOM FOCUSING ON LEADERSHIP, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, TRAIL DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMMING; PROVIDED PROGRAMMING STIPENDS TO LEADERSHIP PROGRAM YOUTH; WORKED WITH VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS TO RESTORE LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN'S WILDLIFE HABITAT AND TRAIL SYSTEM; PARTNERED WITH LOCAL AND REGIONAL PLANNING AND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS ON PARK PLANNING.

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 May 1992.

    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.