Cayucos Land Conservancy
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Cayucos Land Conservancy is committed to the enduring preservation of the rural greenbelt that surrounds Cayucos, California. Preserving this historic and stunning open space is the primary goal of the land conservancy, so that future generations enjoy this place.
- Income
- $595,206
- Spending
- $360,862
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 65.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 88%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 100
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 65.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 27% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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, 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)
- $327,073 spent. Through a land preservation agreement deeded in 1999, the Cayucos Land Conservancy CLC participates in the management of the 355 acre Estero Bluffs State Park, a four mile coastal terrace north of Cayucos and the crown jewel of CLC accomplishments. CLC offers a Bluffs Walks program with guides who are knowledgeable on some aspect of the valuable natural resources at the site. Additionally, periodic volunteer work days are held to address issues as CLC continually works to address access, resource, and visitor concerns. CLC continues to preserve hillside parcels in the antiquated subdivisions overlooking the community. The organization currently holds title to 431 of those parcels, approximately 45 acres, many of which are unbuildable. As all parcels are outside the Urban Reserve Line, with no utility services, the CLC goal is the preservation of the land as part of the greenbelt around Cayucos. A voluntary land owner agreement granted CLC a Conservation Easement CE, finalized in 2007, protecting the 865 acre San Geronimo Ranch as a working cattle ranch. CLC contributed over $120,000 towards the purchase price of this CE. This beautiful property cements the greenbelt to the north of Cayucos. After 10 years of planning, CLC entered into an agreement with other land conservation organizations to purchase almost 1,500 acres from the Chevron Corporation on the southern border of Cayucos. As land is acquired, it is deeded to the County of San Luis Obispo for the future Toro Coast Preserve TCP Regional Park. Two of the three Phases of land purchases have been successfully completed. To date CLC has contributed $825,000, money donated by our supporters, towards TCP land purchases in this special collaborative effort. CLC, and its partners, continue to plan for Phase 3 and work towards acquiring all of the Toro Creek Preserve land by 2030. As of December 31, 2025 the Cayucos Land Conservancy holds land Conservation Easements on 1,220 acres, holds land in Fee Title on 45 acres, and has helped secure a majority of the 1,500 acre Toro Creek Preserve for future generations. CLC continues to offer, and works to develop, additional programs to educate our community about the value of open spaces in improving the quality of our life on the California Central Coast. Most importantly, the Cayucos Land Conservancy continues to preserve our important places for future generations to enjoy.
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
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 2025.
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 June 1999.
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.