Pontchartrain Conservancy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PONTCHARTRAIN CONSERVANCY'S MISSION IS TO DRIVE ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND STEWARDSHIP THROUGH SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY.
- Income
- $3.3 million
- Spending
- $3.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- -1.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 33
- Volunteers
- 135
- Highest pay
- $190,606, 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
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 52% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $2.7 million spent. RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECOLOGICAL BALANCE OF THE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN, INCLUDING COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMS. THE OUTREACH ACTIVITIES PROVIDE INFORMATION AND REFERRALS REGARDING OUR RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION TO THOSE THAT LIVE WITHIN AND AROUND THE PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN. RESEARCH IS UNDERTAKEN IN AREAS SUCH AS URBAN AND RURAL STORM WATER, WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS, INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGES, AGRICULTURAL DISCHARGES, SALTWATER INTRUSION, COASTAL LAND LOSS, AND HABITAT RESTORATION.PC'S AWARD-WINNING WATER QUALITY PROGRAM HAS PRODUCED ONE OF THE LARGEST DATA SOURCES AVAILABLE ON THE QUALITY OF THE PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN'S WATERWAYS. MOST IMPORTANTLY, OUR RESEARCH LED TO THE CLEANUP OF ONE OF THE LARGEST WETLANDS ALONG THE GULF COAST. PC'S WATER QUALITY PROGRAM OFFERS EDUCATION, TECHNICAL HELP, AND ASSISTANCE WITH PERMITS TO THE OWNER/OPERATORS OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS IN THE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN.PC'S COMMUNITY PROGRAM WORKS WITH PARTNERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ENSURE THAT THE LOUISIANA'S BEAUTIFUL PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN IS PRESERVED AND PROSPERING FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. PC'S NEW CANAL LIGHTHOUSE AND EDUCATION CENTER IS THE ONLY PLACE ON THE LAKE'S SOUTHSHORE FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO LEARN ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH WATER AND "TOUCH THE COAST." IN ADDITION TO DAILY TOURS LED BY PC EDUCATORS AND VOLUNTEER DOCENTS, WE PROVIDE NUMEROUS HANDS-ON STEM LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1990.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.