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The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County

EIN 77-0039294 · Sn Luis Obisp, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak39 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

WE CONSERVE AND CARE FOR THE DIVERSE WILDLANDS, FARMS, AND RANCHES OF THE CENTRAL COAST. WE CONNECT PEOPLE TO THE LAND AND TO EACH OTHER.

Income
$7.2 million
Spending
$7.6 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 56%
Employees
35
Volunteers
576
Highest pay
$159,048, secretary/exec. director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 74% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 14 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $3.3 million spent. THE LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM ESTABLISHES VOLUNTARY LAND PROTECTION AGREEMENTS (CONSERVATION EASEMENTS) WITH FAMILY FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND LANDOWNERS. THE LAND CONSERVANCY ALSO BUYS PROPERTIES IN FEE TITLE AND RECEIVES GIFTS/DONATIONS OF LAND. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON IDENTIFYING AND PROTECTING SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY LANDS WITH IMPORTANT SCENIC, AGRICULTURAL, HABITAT AND CULTURAL VALUES. THE LAND CONSERVANCY STAFF PREPARE GRANT APPLICATIONS AND PROPOSALS, DRAFT AGREEMENTS, IDENTIFY LAND MANAGEMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, AND CONDUCT MONITORING OF EACH PROPERTY ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. THE CONSERVANCY HAS PROTECTED 67,582 ACRES TO-DATE.
  2. $1.1 million spent. THE OUTREACH AND VOLUNTEER SUPPORT PROGRAM FOCUSES ON ENGAGING COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT LAND RESOURCES IN SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY. THE PROGRAM WORKS TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR THE ORGANIZATION THROUGH COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS, VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES, EDUCATIONAL EVENTS, AND OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. CURRENTLY THE ORGANIZATION HAS 1,354 INDIVIDUAL/HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS (NON-VOTING) AND 137 BUSINESS MEMBERS (NON-VOTING). THE ORGANIZATION E-NEWSLETTER REACHES 6,471, AND THE ANNUAL REPORT GOES OUT TO APPROXIMATELY 1,700 PEOPLE.
  3. $1.7 million spent. THE STEWARDSHIP AND RESTORATION PROGRAM IMPLEMENTS PROJECTS THAT FOCUS ON SUPPORTING HEALTHY WILDLIFE HABITAT, IMPROVING WATER QUALITY, SUSTAINING OUR LOCAL WATER SUPPLY, AND PROTECTING MAN-MADE INFRASTRUCTURE AND FARM FIELDS. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON STREAMS, WETLANDS, COASTAL DUNES, AND HISTORIC LANDMARKS. RESTORATION AND STEWARDSHIP CARE PROGRAM STAFF DEVELOP GRANT PROPOSALS, PREPARE PERMIT APPLICATIONS AND RESTORATION PLANS, IMPLEMENT RESTORATION ACTIVITIES, AND MONITOR PROJECT RESULTS.
  4. $302,971 spent. THE YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAM FOCUSES ON PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN TO LEARN ABOUT NATURE THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING USING OAK WOODLANDS AND OTHER NATURAL LANDS FOR HANDS-ON EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THE PROGRAM TRAINS AND EMPOWERS CHILDEREN AS FUTURE CONSERVATIONISTS, INSTILLING LEADERSHIP AND SCIENCE SKILLS. THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM THE PROGRAM EACH YEAR.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 December 1984.

    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.