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Archaeological Conservancy

EIN 95-3403273 · Albuquerque, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ACQUIRE AND PRESERVE AMERICA'S MOST IMPORTANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES. THE CONSERVANCY IDENTIFIES IMPORTANT ENDANGERED SITES, ACQUIRES THE PROPERTY BY PURCHASE, GIFT, OR BARGAIN SALE FROM DONORS, SECURES THE PROPERTY, STABILIZES THE CULTURAL RESOURCES AT THE SITE, MANAGES THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PRESERVE AS PART OF A LONG-TERM PLAN, AND EDUCATES THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND LOCAL OFFICIALS ABOUT THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE AND HOW TO PRESERVE WHAT REMAINS.

Income
$15.5 million
Spending
$4.2 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
22
Volunteers
360
Highest pay
$181,889, pres/ceo--fo

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 73% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 233% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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

    9 of 10 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 July 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 (2)
  1. $1.8 million spent. ACQUISITION, CONSERVATION, AND MANAGEMENT: DURING THE YEAR ENDING JULY 31, 2025, THE CONSERVANCY COMPLETED THE ACQUISITION AND PROTECTION OF 11 ENDANGERED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES, WHICH ARE NOW MANAGED AS ARCHAEOLOGICAL PRESERVES. OVER 25 MORE SITES AND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ARE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF ACQUISITION. IN TOTAL, THE CONSERVANCY HAS PROTECTED OVER 590 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE CONSERVANCY REGULARLY CONDUCTS STEWARDSHIP AND MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF EACH SITE.
  2. $1.4 million spent. EDUCATION: DURING THE YEAR ENDING JULY 31, 2025, THE CONSERVANCY PUBLISHED FOUR ISSUES OF "AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY" MAGAZINE, WHICH WERE DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY WITH A TOTAL DISTRIBUTION OF 20,600 COPIES PER ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONSERVANCY CONDUCTED 9 ARCHAEOLOGICAL TRAVEL SEMINARS DURING THE FISCAL YEAR WITH OVER 200 PARTICIPANTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 July 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 1979.

    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.