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Truckee Donner Land Trust

EIN 68-0245327 · Truckee, CA

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

TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT SCENIC, HISTORIC AND RECREATIONAL LANDS WITH HIGH NATURAL RESOURCE VALUES IN THE GREATER TRUCKEE DONNER REGION AND MANAGE RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ON THESE LANDS IN A SUSTAINABLE MANNER.

Income
$10.5 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
26
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$207,138, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 56% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 84% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 March 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. $3.6 million spent. STEWARDSHIP:STEWARDSHIP HAD A BUSY YEAR WITH LARGE FORESTRY/FUELS REDUCTION PROJECTS TAKING PLACE TO REDUCE FIRE RISK ON OUR PROPERTIES. WE COMPLETED WORK ON OUR TRUCKEE SPRINGS PROJECT AND WILL BE CONVEYING THE BRIDGE, PARKING LOT, AND BIKE TRIAL TO THE TOWN OF TRUCKEE IN THE CURRENT YEAR. THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAIL MAINTENANCE AND BUILDING MAINTENANCE AT OUR WEBBER LAKE CAMPGROUND. WE ALSO DID MAINTENANCE AT OUR FROG LAKE BACK COUNTRY HUTS, INCLUDING A NEW GENERATOR.
  2. $209,409 spent. LANDS:IN 2024, WE COMPLETED THE ACQUISITION OF UPPER CARPENTER VALLEY, A 691ACRE PARCEL, IN THE AMOUNT OF $4.4 MILLION. WE ARE ALSO UNDER CONTRACT TO PURCHASE POLE CREEK, WHICH IS A 61 ACRE PARCEL FOR $700K. THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN HELD UP BY TITLE ISSUES WHICH HAVE RECENTLY BEEN RESOLVED, SO WE HOPE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH CLOSING SHORTLY. WE ARE UNDER CONTRACT TO PURCHASE 110 ACRES ON JACKASS RIDGE, WHICH HAS BEEN COMPLETED IN THE CURRENT TAX YEAR. WE ARE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF PURCHASING A 7,000 ACRE PARCEL, WHICH WE HOPE TO COMPLETE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 March 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 September 1995.

    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.