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Student Conservation Association Inc

EIN 91-0880684 · Arlington, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO BUILD THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATION LEADERS AND INSPIRE LIFELONG STEWARDSHIP OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITIES BY ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH HANDS-ON SERVICE PROJECTS.

Income
$48.4 million
Spending
$50.0 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 80%
Employees
2,145
Volunteers
6,784
Highest pay
$419,214, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 51 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 39 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 (4)
  1. $10.2 million spent. CONSERVATION INTERNS: CAREER-SHAPING SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS 18 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER, PRIMARILY HOSTED BY GOVERNMENT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AGENCIES. INTERNSHIPS SPAN 2-12 MONTHS IN LENGTH AND COVER A WIDE RANGE OF PRACTICES INCLUDING RECREATION MANAGEMENT, WILDLAND FIRE, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, AND HABITAT IMPROVEMENT.
  2. $9.1 million spent. CONSERVATION CORPS: TEAMS OF YOUNG ADULTS (PRIMARILY 18-25 YEARS OF AGE) LED BY SCA STAFF SPEND 3-10 MONTHS ADDRESSING NEEDS ON FEDERAL AND STATE PUBLIC LANDS INCLUDING HABITAT RESTORATION, TRAIL MAINTENANCE, INVASIVE SPECIES ERADICATION, WILDFIRE MITIGATION, AND MORE. PARTICIPANT S GAIN IMPORTANT PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE.
  3. $5.8 million spent. COMMUNITY CREWS: CITY-BASED JOBS PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AGED 15-25. SCA-LED SUMMER AND SCHOOL-YEAR CREWS ENGAGE PARTICIPANTS IN IMPROVING URBAN PARKS AND GREEN SPACES THROUGH TRAIL WORK, HABITAT RESTORATION, AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE. THE PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDES COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS AS WELL AS CAREER TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT.
  4. $10.6 million spent. OTHERS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 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 March 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 March 1965.

    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.