The Conservation Fund A Nonprofit Corporation is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Arlington, Virginia, registered in 1985, with $373,233,308 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A+, and it directs about 96% of spending to programs.
Revenue (FY2024)
$373.2M
▲ 14.0% vs prior year
Environment median: $250K
Expenses (FY2024)
$356.2M
Net assets
$481.0M
Employees
231
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For The Conservation Fund A Nonprofit Corporation: 96% to programs · $5 to raise $100 earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For The Conservation Fund A Nonprofit Corporation: 16 mo reserves · +5% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For The Conservation Fund A Nonprofit Corporation: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For The Conservation Fund A Nonprofit Corporation: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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The conservation fund is in the business of conservation, creating innovative solutions that drive nature-based action for climate protection, sustainable economies and vibrant communities.
Other consevation servicesthe resilient communities business line comprises a group of programs dedicated to advancing tcf's dual mission by integrating conservation and economic development to build vibrant communities. these programs focus on impact areas such as urban conservation, rural economic development, heritage site protections, sustainable food systems, water quality/supply protection and enhancement, aquaculture, and resilience. this program area provides expertise to communities across the country to achieve the multiple benefits gained by investing in clean air, clean water and community livability. tcf brings technical assistance and flexible funding to partnerships in rural communities where we work to conserve natural assets, helping strengthen job-creating areas that rely on and sustain forestry, agriculture, nature and recreation. tcf's urban conservation work enhances urban sustainability and livability by advancing creation of parks and other initiatives.the work of this program area also includes the following activities: freshwater institute. the freshwater institute is an applied research facility dedicated to sustainable water use and reuse through the design of recirculating aquaculture systems. this program works with government, industry and nonprofits to demonstrate the opportunities for a sustainable domestic seafood supply by providing solutions to enable the growth of environmentally responsible aquaculture. the institute's core competencies in aquaculture research, engineering and consulting, aquatic veterinary medicine, aquaculture husbandry and production, industry outreach, and water chemistry analysis are mobilized to sustainably produce salmon and other cold-water species. resourceful communities. resourceful communities works with grassroots and community organizations to create opportunities to preserve rural landscapes, strengthen local economies, and sustain communities' unique cultures. the program provides an effective combination of direct technical assistance, skills building and network-building that supports community outcomes such as food security, nature-based tourism development, youth conservation programs and cultural heritage preservation.
Revenue grew from $144.6M (FY2013) to $373.2M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Operating margin
4.6%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$919.4M
Total liabilities
$438.4M
Net assets
$481.0M
Salaries & benefits
$34.2M
10% of expenses
Board members
19
19 independent
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $373,233,308▲14.0% | $356,216,753▲15.2% | $481,039,935▲4.3% | $919,448,710▲5.2% | 990 |
| 2023 | $327,435,060▲8.3% | $309,335,935▲1.6% | $461,237,998▲4.0% | $874,252,941▲1.9% | 990 |
| 2022 | $302,251,881▲14.3% | $304,598,275▲20.0% | $443,418,619▲0.8% | $858,023,270▼3.5% | 990 |
| 2021 | $264,390,893▲0.7% | $253,839,788▼3.8% | $440,049,424▲2.5% | $888,983,666▼1.0% | 990 |
| 2020 | $262,539,242▲18.5% | $263,787,470▲20.7% | $429,498,318▼4.0% | $898,244,134▼4.3% | 990 |
| 2019 | $221,481,591▲5.6% | $218,541,676▲12.2% | $447,451,033▲1.0% | $939,058,111▲19.2% | 990 |
| 2018 | $209,741,782▼10.9% | $194,860,723▼29.0% | $442,837,953▼5.1% | $787,856,621▲7.9% | 990 |
| 2017 | $235,347,905▲9.2% | $274,566,587▲26.1% | $466,534,815▼14.4% | $730,421,186▲4.3% | 990 |
| 2016 | $215,547,604▲0.2% | $217,822,398▲21.4% | $544,829,303▼0.4% | $700,420,213▼2.4% | 990 |
| 2015 | $215,096,466▼11.3% | $179,485,477▼11.6% | $547,104,097▲7.0% | $717,760,621▲3.0% | 990 |
| 2014 | $242,612,995▲67.8% | $203,085,080▲43.5% | $511,493,108▲8.4% | $696,636,580▲15.1% | 990 |
| 2013 | $144,568,453 | $141,551,350▲2.9% | $471,965,193▲0.6% | $605,182,934▲12.7% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $137,594,148▼29.2% | $468,948,091▲9.8% | $537,183,832▲8.5% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $194,240,901 | $427,159,264▲12.7% | $494,874,180▲12.7% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $194,226,696 | $379,024,027 | $438,919,778 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Highest-paid: Lawrence A Selzer — $740,139 (0.21% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence A Selzer | Ceo & President | 36.5 | $740,139 |
| Dean H Cannon | Evp & General Counsel | 36.5 | $476,430 |
| John S Gilbert | Evp & Cfo | 36.5 | $466,450 |
| Matthew S Sexton | Svp Conservation Acquisition | 37.5 | $329,653 |
| Mark W Elsbree | Svp Conservation Acquisition | 37.5 | $329,313 |
| Kelly M Reed | Svp Government Relations | 37.5 | $327,445 |
| Evan H Smith | Svp Conservation Ventures | 37.5 | $320,060 |
| Elizabeth Palmer | Vp of Human Resources | 37.5 | $309,633 |
| Brian J Dangler | Svp & Director of Working Forest Fund | 37.5 | $308,194 |
| Monica A Garrison | Svp & Treasurer | 31.5 | $308,170 |
| Christopher D Bell | Deputy General Counsel | 37.5 | $274,399 |
| Erik J Meyers | Vp Climate and Water Sustainability | 37.5 | $273,050 |
| Blaine T Phillips Jr | Svp Con Acq (until 6/30/24) | 37.5 | $212,261 |
| Margaret A Mccants | Board Sec & Con Acq Director | 37.5 | $164,284 |
| Charles A Cherington | Director | 2 | — |
| C Porter Schutt III | Director (until 9/19/24) | 2 | — |
| Daniel Tishman | Chair | 2 | — |
| David P Bozeman | Director | 2 | — |
| Gregory A Beard | Director | 2 | — |
| G Wilson Hughes | Director (until 9/19/24) | 2 | — |
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Piper Logging | Forestry - Logging and Hauling | $1,229,420 |
| Kalmia Construction Co Inc | Construction Services | $1,027,581 |
| Hurt & Proffitt Inc | Boundary Survey | $274,129 |
| F&w Forestry Services | Forest Management | $251,456 |
| Korn Ferry (us) | Recruiting Services | $232,551 |
242 grants to The Conservation Fund A Nonprofit Corporation totaling $162.2M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation For the Carolinas | Charitable gift | 2024 | $5,920,000 |
| The Community Foundation For Greater Atlanta Inc | Environment | 2024 | $2,510,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $526,000 |
| New Hampshire Charitable Foundation | Gorham town forest expansion project, visit northern nh, appraisal costs | 2024 | $299,900 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $155,528 |
| The Community Foundation Inc | Community vibrancy | 2024 | $100,000 |
| Community Foundation of Jackson Hole | Sabine ranch, loxahatchee river restoration, general operating | 2024 | $60,000 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Environmental | 2024 | $35,500 |
| Greater Houston Community Foundation | Environmental | 2024 | $25,000 |
| Winston-salem Foundation | 2 grant(s) for varying purposes | 2024 | $22,500 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $20,725 |
| Baltimore Community Foundation Inc | General support and various projects | 2024 | $20,000 |
| The Community Foundation For Greater Atlanta Inc | International foreign affairs | 2024 | $15,500 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $15,000 |
| Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund | General support | 2024 | $12,000 |
165 grants totaling $52.4M in FY2024 — showing the 15 largest. All grants made by The Conservation Fund A Nonprofit Corporation →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Usfws | Conservation of natural resources;sustainable economic & community development | $13,814,524 |
| Western Pennsylvania Conservancy | Conservation of natural resources;sustainable economic & community development | $9,593,863 |
| City of Atlanta | Conservation of natural resources;sustainable economic & community development | $5,000,000 |
| Wv Division of Natural Resources | Conservation of natural resources;sustainable economic & community development | $4,157,859 |
| Mainspring Conservation Trust Inc | Conservation of natural resources;sustainable economic & community development | $2,030,227 |
| Ak Department of Natural Resources | Conservation of natural resources;sustainable economic & community development | $1,485,476 |
| Va Dept of Wildlife Resources | Conservation of natural resources;sustainable economic & community development | $1,094,500 |
| Land Trust For Louisiana | Conservation of natural resources;sustainable economic & community development | $1,055,000 |
| Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin Inc | Conservation of natural resources;sustainable economic & community development | $1,000,000 |
| State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources | Conservation of natural resources;sustainable economic & community development | $987,299 |
| Us Navy | Conservation of natural resources;sustainable economic & community development | $986,299 |
| Nps (national Park Service) Southeast Region | Conservation of natural resources;sustainable economic & community development | $984,898 |
| Congaree Land Trust | Conservation of natural resources;sustainable economic & community development | $810,000 |
| Nc Co State Property Office | Conservation of natural resources;sustainable economic & community development | $723,677 |
| Association For the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities | Conservation of natural resources;sustainable economic & community development | $568,590 |
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Data for The Conservation Fund A Nonprofit Corporation (EIN 52-1388917) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.