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Sustainable Conservation

EIN 94-3232437 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Sustainable Conservation advances the collaborative stewardship of Californias land, air, and water for the benefit of nature and people. For over three decades, Sustainable Conservation has built coalitions of people with different interests to catalyze conservation success. By listening deeply and honoring all perspectives, we build common ground from which to forge a better path forward for our Golden State.

Income
$9.7 million
Spending
$7.0 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
5.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
38
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$316,469, ceo

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 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 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 (4)
  1. $1.9 million spent. California faces big challenges when it comes to our water supplies. Our limited and less reliable fresh water is being stretched to meet the needs of the environment and growing urban and farming demands, while our groundwater supplies are steadily declining. Sustainable Conservation advances promising practices, incentives and policies to help achieve long-term water sustainability in California. Our efforts mean reliable, affordable and clean water for irrigating the crops that feed the nation, healthy communities, and vibrant waterways that support diverse wildlife.
  2. $1.3 million spent. Waste Not Program promotes appropriate, scalable solutions to reimagine waste by reusing manure nutrients, connecting farmers and their land to a circular resource economy, reducing groundwater and greenhouse gas pollution, and building soil health.
  3. $1.0 million spent. Healthy soils are the foundation of productive farmland and a critical tool for addressing Californias water challenges in the face of climate change. Were all connected by land, air, and water, and understanding how we can improve soil health will help us co-create a more sustainable California. In 2023, well address key opportunities in theSan Joaquin Valleyand theCentral Coast the states most productive agricultural regions with the greatest impacts to their water systems and watersheds. Regenerative soil health practices like cover cropping and high-carbon soil amendments can make a real difference in how our soils store water and nutrients, and even improve the quality and quantity of water thats returned to our aquifers and waterways.
  4. $860,016 spent. California boasts iconic plants and animals, some found nowhere else on the planet, but more than 350 of these species and their habitats are threatened because weve significantly altered the states landscapes. This includes the destruction of 90% of Californias riparian forests and ongoing pollution in a vast majority of waterways. The good news is that all Californians, from private landowners to conservation groups to public agencies, can do a lot to restore these damaged places. We make it easier to restore our vital natural resources in a changing climate by partnering with government, NGOs and other restoration proponents to develop regulatory and policy incentives that accelerate the pace and scale of habitat restoration statewide. Our efforts help revive degraded waterways to boost clean water and habitat, and bring struggling species back from the brink.

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

  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 November 6, 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 December 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 September 1996.

    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 November 4, 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.