Lakes Region Conservation Trust

Nonprofit profile at a glance

EIN
020347918
IRS 990 coverage
2019–2024
Forms available
Form 990 2024
Location
Center Harbor, NH, USA
Phone
6032533301
Rating
79
Verdict
SUPPORTED
Rating confidence
Standard
Sector
Natural Resources Conservation and Protection

Official website

Reported finances

Revenue
$2,853,100
Expenses
$1,206,157
Assets
$38,770,145
Liabilities
$68,491

Source: IRS Form 990. Selected filing: tax year 2024. Amounts in USD.

Leadership & pay

17 people listed

Executive titles in this filing

  • DONALD S BERRY (PRESIDENT, non-voting)

Highest reported compensation

  • DONALD S BERRY (PRESIDENT, non-voting): $89,648 total reported compensation

Source: IRS Form 990. Selected filing: tax year 2024. Names and roles reflect this filing, not necessarily current officeholders.

Overview

Mission

The mission of the Organization is the conservation of the natural resources of the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, the preservation of wildlife habitat, the stewardship of lands that define the character of the region and its quality of life, and the provision of opportunities for public access to conserved lands for thoughtful recreation, nature e

What it reported doing in 2024

Conservation Education/Outreach/Communications--The Lakes Region Conservation Trust produces newsletters, trail maps, and other informational materials and maintains substantial information on its website regarding the Organizations conserved lands and land conservation activities. As noted above, a particular focus of the Organizations work is the provision of opportunities for the public to enjoy, appreciate, and learn from the conserved lands. In this regard, LRCT maintains informational kiosks at many properties, and organizes guided hikes, guided paddles, and educational programs for the public regarding the conserved lands. In addition, LRCT works with local schools and other organizations to introduce members of the community to the conserved lands, to provide opportunities for these other organizations to integrate conserved lands into their curricula and programs, and to enhance their understanding of the Lakes Regions natural heritage and the important role of land conservation in shaping the natural landscapes cherished by residents and visitors alike.

Operating model

Revenue model
Donor-supported. 94% of the money available for current operations came from contributions and gifts.
Distribution model
Direct operator. The filing allocates 96% of reported program-service expenses outside its grant, affiliate-payment, and member-benefit lines. This expense classification does not rule out separately announced grant awards.
  • Includes noncash contributions: Reported contributions include donated property or goods.

The verdict

SUPPORTED - The filed numbers largely add up and most voting board members are independent. A relatively small share of available resources goes toward mission work and fundraising costs are high for each dollar raised.

Rating breakdown

  • Financial Efficiency: 53
  • Transparency & Controls: 99
  • Accountability: 95
  • Sustainability: 88
  • Growth: 100

Detailed rating inputs

Financial Efficiency

  • Mission deployment rate: 36.8%; rating input score 37
  • Program expense ratio: 77.9%; rating input score 78
  • Fundraising efficiency: $19.55 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 58; 58th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

  • Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
  • Pay-setting controls: Limited
  • Foreign activity oversight: Limited
  • Grant itemization coverage: 97.6%; rating input score 98; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
  • Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
  • Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

  • Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
  • Governance controls: 7 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 88
    • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
    • Whistleblower policy: Pass
    • Document-retention policy: Pass
    • CEO compensation review process: Pass
    • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
    • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
    • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
    • Audit committee oversight: Pass
    • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

  • Operating margin: 57.7%; rating input score 94; 94th percentile among comparable filings
  • Total-asset coverage ratio: 32.14; rating input score 98; 98th percentile among comparable filings
  • Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 91; 91st percentile among comparable filings
  • Officer compensation ratio: 7.4%; rating input score 39; 39th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

  • Program expense growth: 12.6% per year; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
  • Revenue growth: 2.3% per year; rating input score 100; 22nd percentile among comparable filings
  • Asset growth: 3.9% per year; rating input score 100; 29th percentile among comparable filings

Details

  • Where the money goes: 36.8% of revenue deployed · 77.9% of spending went to programs
  • Governance: 16 of 16 board members independent · 7 of 8 filing controls reported
  • Programs: 3 filed program accomplishments · $940K in reported program spending
  • Leadership: top reported pay $90K · 17 people listed
  • Consistency: 37 of 37 current checks pass
  • Schedules: 6 filed schedules · includes major donors and grants
  • Filing history: 5 filing years from 2019 to 2024
  • Contacts: How to reach this organization
  • Money network: 2 filed money-flow records
  • Related organizations: 1 filed related-organization link
  • Grant readiness: Federal tax and exclusion status, award history, and grant-maker relationships.
  • People: Everyone the filings name, and which of them the filings identify by more than a name.

Key Signals

Signals prioritize questions for review. They are not findings of misconduct.

  • Moderate — Financial Efficiency: Mission deployment rate scored 37/100.
  • Review — Financial Efficiency: Fundraising efficiency scored 58/100.
  • Review — Accountability: Governance controls: Form 990 shared with the board not reported.
  • Moderate — Sustainability: Officer compensation ratio scored 39/100.