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Greenspace the Cambria Land Trust

EIN 77-0219622 · Cambria, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NORTH COAST AREA OF SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY IS A NATIONAL TREASURE. GREENSPACE PROTECTS AND ENHANCES ITS ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS AND CULTURAL RESOURCES THROUGH LAND ACQUISITION AND MANAGEMENT, PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY.

Income
$169,758
Spending
$212,522
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
12.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
2
Volunteers
100

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 40 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 (3)
  1. $111,723 spent. Land acquisition and management, public education and advocacy to protect and enhance ecological systems in the north coast area of San Luis Obispo County: For over 30 years Greenspace has worked to preserve and protect the environment of Cambria focusing on land acquisition and stewardship, forest protection and reforestation of the threatened Cambria Monterey Pines, education programs in partnership with our local schools and community partners and advocacy for environmental protection and building a sustainable future for all Cambria residents, businesses and visitors. Greenspace is a grassroots organization supported by local donors and grant makers, and hundreds of volunteers through the years, allowing us to fulfill our mission including acquisition and stewardship of over 20 protected properties, including the popular Creekside Reserve, Strawberry Canyon and the Native Demonstration Garden. Greenspace provides environmental education activities across the community, with native plant and geology walks, lectures featuring eminent environmental scholars, writers and artists, a newsletter, and activities with the local public schools and community colleges. For the past 4 years we have been able to create an Introduction to and a Research Experience in Cambria's unique native Monterey Pine forest for middle school students.
  2. $19,493 spent. Education: Greenspace develops and delivers environmental education through field learning programs which bring students into our local watershed ecosystems (agriculture, creek, forest or beach) to learn about the way in which vital interconnections support healthy organisms in nature. Greenspace also provides classroom programs to local schools and a speaker series on a variety of environmental issues to the local community.
  3. $3,480 spent. Reforestation: Greenspace has planted over 5,000 Monterey Pines throughout the region, most recently in partnership with California State Parks and other state and local agencies. Staff and volunteers have collected, treated, distributed, propagated and planted threatened Monterey Pines to help ensure the future of this endangered pine tree along with the iconic forests of Cambria. We have expanded our growing programs to local community colleges and have a network of residents who also grow Monterey Pine seedlings for Greenspace.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 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 September 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 January 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.