Coastal Prairie Conservancy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Coastal Prairie Conservancy (CPC) works to sustain a resilient Texas by preserving coastal prairies, wetlands, farms, and ranches to benefit people and wildlife forever. Continued on Schedule OCPC conserves land, restores and enhances wildlife habitat, and educates the public on the value and importance of protecting coastal prairies, wetlands, farms, and ranches.
- Income
- $19.9 million
- Spending
- $16.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 96%
- Reserves
- -4.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 80%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 2,546
- Highest pay
- $184,453, president & ceo
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 29% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 210% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1596% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 35% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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 (5)
- $14.2 million spent. Land Conservation - The Coastal Prairie Conservancy (CPC, formerly known as Katy Prairie Conservancy) protects coastal prairie, wetlands, and agricultural lands in the following ways: acquisition of conservation lands at fair market value, acquisition of conservation lands through bargain sale arrangements, receipt of donated conservation lands to CPC, receipt of donated trade lands to CPC, donation of conservation easements to CPC, and purchase of development rights on conservation lands in southeast Texas. Conservation lands are held in permanent trust and are maintained for the benefit of both the wildlife that inhabit the lands and the public who enjoy visiting CPC's preserves.
- $738,174 spent. Land Stewardship - CPC monitors its conservation easement lands annually to ensure that the goals and objectives of the easement are followed and that the land retains its conservation values. CPC establishes baseline data on all its easements so it can track changes over time through regular monitoring protocols. CPC develops detailed management plans for its fee-owned properties to remove invasive species (including Chinese Tallow, McCartney Rose, feral hogs and other feral animals) and to improve the conservation values of these lands by restoring or creating wetlands and enhancing and restoring native grasslands.
- $328,252 spent. Land Management & Restoration - During 2003-2004, CPC's Board of Directors purchased a majority interest in the historic Warren Ranch, a 6,000-acre working cattle ranch. Part of CPC's mission is to protect the unique scenic, historic, and natural resources on the Katy Prairie. Well-managed farmland shelters wildlife, supplies scenic open space, and helps filter impurities from air and water. Warren Ranch's agricultural lands offer many other benefits: preservation of natural resources; outdoor recreation, including bird watching, hunting, and nature tours; improved flood protection; economic development through eco-tourism; enhanced wildlife habitat; recharge zones for the area's aquifers; educational field trips for area youth; local food sources; and research opportunities for colleges in ecology and land management.
- $195,397 spent. Public Outreach - CPC works with various governmental entities to track and monitor public policy issues that may affect CPC's lands, including major thoroughfare and road plans, flood control initiatives, and conservation easement tax incentives. CPC offers events, tours, and programs to enable the public to enjoy different aspects of its protected lands. In addition, CPC also hosts small group tours (working in cooperation with other conservation entities and area naturalists) as well as field trips for young people. Interpretive signs and field guides enhance the visitor experience, and expanded outreach and marketing efforts through CPC's website and electronic newsletter broaden audience reach. CPC has also developed programming at area schools and parks to make people more aware of the importance of prairies to the region. CPC also provides extensive virtual programming when visiting its preserves is not possible.
- Nature's Burial was created to establish burial cemeteries that preserve the natural habitat of an area in a way that celebrates life at the time of a loved one's passing. All revenue from Nature's Burial is used for the operation and management of the organization's lands and furthers the mission of sustaining a resilient Texas by preserving coastal prairies, wetlands, farms, and ranches forever.
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 November 1992.
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.