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The Natomas Basin Conservancy a Ca Non-Profit Public Benefit Corp

EIN 68-0344388 · Sacramento, 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

THE NATOMAS BASIN CONSERVANCY SERVES AS THE PLAN OPERATOR FOR THE NATOMAS BASIN HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN. IT ACQUIRES AND MANAGES THE HABITAT LAND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE 22 "SPECIAL STATUS" SPECIES COVERED UNDER THE PLAN.

Income
$12.6 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 50%
Employees
11
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$273,689, executive director

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

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 8% 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 56% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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, 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. $4.3 million spent. THE NATOMAS BASIN CONSERVANCY IS A CALIFORNIA NON-PROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION FORMED IN 1994. THE CONSERVANCY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR COLLECTING MITIGATION FEES REQUIRED BY THE NATOMAS BASIN HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN (NBHCP), USING THESE FEES TO ACQUIRE AND PRESERVE ECOLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT LAND IN THE NATOMAS BASIN IN ORDER TO CREATE AND MAINTAIN A SANCTUARY OR PRESERVE FOR 22 SPECIFIED THREATENED OR ENDANGERED WILDLIFE AND PLANT SPECIES. THESE SANCTUARIES OR PRESERVES ARE COMPOSED OF MARSH, WETLANDS, AND AGRICULTURAL HABITAT TYPES NECESSARY FOR THE PRESERVATION AND REPRODUCTION OF THE THREATENED OR ENDANGERED SPECIES COVERED UNDER THE NBHCP.CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE OTHE CONSERVANCY ACHIEVES ITS PURPOSES BY ACQUIRING LAND AND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS IN THE NATOMAS BASIN AREA SITUATED IN NORTHEN SACRAMENTO COUNTY AND SOUTHERN SUTTER COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. IT ACTS AS PLAN OPERATOR OF THE NBHCP. ALONG WITH THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE, THE COUNTY OF SUTTER, AND THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO, THE CONSERVANCY IS A "PLAN PARTICIPANT" IN THE NBHCP.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1995.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.