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Sacramento Valley Conservancy

EIN 68-0256214 · Sacramento, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION IS THE PRESERVATION, PROTECTION, AQUISITION, AND/ OR ENHANCEMENT OF LAND IN ITS NATURAL, SCENIC, HISTORICAL, AGRICULTURAL, FORESTED AND OPEN SPACE CONDITION IN THE GREATER SACRAMENTO VALLEY CALIFORNIA AREA.

Income
$3.5 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 37%
Employees
10
Volunteers
218
Highest pay
$89,332, executive director

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

Good: 75 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 64% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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, 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. $1.0 million spent. IN 2024, SVC COMPLETED 11 NEW CONSERVATION PROJECTS, PERMANENTLY PROTECTING 1,292 ACRES OF RIPARIAN, VERNAL POOL, AND GRASSLAND HABITATS. THE SUCCESSFUL CLOSING OF THESE PROJECTS RESULTED IN THE ADDITION OF EIGHT NEW CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND THE ASSUMPTION OF LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THREE PROPERTIES. THIS WORK IMPROVES FLOOD RESILIENCY IN THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY AND SOUTH YUBA COUNTY, WHILE SUPPORTING LOCAL AGRICULTURE.THE CONSERVANCY SECURED UP TO $2,650,000 THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION'S SUSTAINABLE LAND CONSERVATION GRANT, WITH $150,000 IN MATCHING FUNDS FROM SAC SEWER, TO FUND THE PURCHASE OF A CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON A 190-ACRE AGRICULTURAL AND RIPARIAN PROPERTY IN THE VINEYARD AREA OF SACRAMENTO COUNTY.THE CONSERVANCY FORMALLY ENTERED INTO LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS WITH THE SOUTH SACRAMENTO CONSERVANCY AGENCY (SSCA) FOR TWO PRESERVES, THEREBY ESTABLISHING THE CONSERVANCY AS THE PRIMARY ORGANIZATION FOR LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES WITHIN THE SOUTH SACRAMENTO HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN AREA. ADDITIONALLY, AS A CONSULTANT, THE CONSERVANCY WILL DEVELOP SIX LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR PRE-DEDICATED PRESERVES WHICH THE SSCA HOLDS IN FEE TITLE.

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 June 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 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.