Sierra Foothill Conservancy Tr
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PROTECT, MANAGE AND PRESERVE LANDS AND WILDLIFE HAVING UNIQUE NATURAL RESOURCES AND CULTURAL QUALITIES WITHIN AND NEAR THE FOOTHILLS OF THE SIERRA NEVADA RANGE.
- Income
- $5.4 million
- Spending
- $4.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- -16.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 58%
- Employees
- 22
- Volunteers
- 70
- Highest pay
- $187,475, ceo
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
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 45% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 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 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)
- $2.6 million spent. LAND CONSERVATION - Sierra Foothill Conservancy has preserved approximately 64,000 acres in our Service Region that includes Fresno, Madera, and Mariposa Counties. With 10 preserves and 54 conservation easements that highlight the diverse ecology of the Sierra Nevada, SFC has active project development for an additional 2,963.5 acres in 2025 creating connected habitats and expanding the Madera/Mariposa focus area.
- $1.0 million spent. LAND STEWARDSHIP - From the snow-capped Sierra to the Central Valley floor, expansive landscapes, important habitats, and clean water resources are conserved and managed to ensure continuing public benefits. SFC supports a thriving land-based economy while promoting a conservation ethic that spans generations. Funding awards for forest restoration and fuels management, reestablishing blue oak woodlands & ponderosa pines, community engagement to volunteer with plantings, and opportunities for Internships along with partnerships which provide avian, vegetation & carbon monitoring, erosion controls, fig removal.
- $148,862 spent. EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT- SFC Education and Outreach offers a variety of opportunities for the public to enjoy and connect to nature. Through our over 100 Hikes and Classes which are led by trained and experienced docents, opportunities to engage in our local conserved lands is a highlight of our Programs. SFC connected more than 6,700 people, from school children to senior citizens with SFC-protected lands. SFC won the prestigious Community Participant Award from the Fresno State Richter Center for our collaborative efforts in education and outreach.Our STEM-based Youth Education Program brings underserved K-12 students from nearby communities to our McKenzie Preserve where they focus on experiential learning that relates to science standards. Our volunteer workdays allow for multi preserve trail work, collaborations with Rotary, and other service groups, Fresno State University and other local schools and universities. Through grant funded partnerships SFC is able to complete trail work and other crucial stewardship tasks on several preserves.
- $26,918 spent. Other Program Expenses
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
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 June 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 July 1996.
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.