Community Land Trust Association of West Marin
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
CLAM strengthens communities in West Marin through the creation and stewardship of permanently affordable homes.We envision a diverse West Marin community where people have a secure place to call home.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- -27.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 69%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 44
- Highest pay
- $135,069, development direct
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 33% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 32% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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)
- $899,636 spent. In 2024, CLAM provided ongoing management and stewardship of its rental properties that provide 20 affordable rentals in the West Marin area. We provided housing to 40 renters in 20 rental housing units and three affordable ownership homes. Significant improvements were made on two rental apartment buildings CLAM owns - the Mesa Apts and Ocean Terrace.
- $58,044 spent. In 2024, CLAM continued our work to secure the Coast Guard Neighborhood Project in Point Reyes Station to provide 54 units of rental housing to over 180 residents. CLAM and co-development partner Eden Housing worked with our design team, including architects, and a consulting General Contractor, and septic engineers to complete the planning submission portion of the low-income housing tax credit project. This project planning submission was deemed substantially complete and the project comlpeted the CEQA phase of environmental review, as well as secured planning entitlements and a use permit.
- $36,326 spent. Martinelli Ranch/Displaced Families-2024 Marked the start of CLAMs work assisting displaced families. CLAM began the process of investigating potential property acquisitions for the purpose of rehousing soon to be displaced ranch families. CLAM received funding from Marin Community Foundation to perform an Interim Housing Feasibility Study, reviewing more than 30 local sites to assess for lease or acquisition.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.
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 October 2002.
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.