NatureServe is the global leader in data, science and technology to conserve biodiversity.

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
65¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
Run by 12 volunteers and 73 employees.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · People: Part I, lines 5–6

Before you give

FY2025 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Looks good: listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
Looks good: the IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2025
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2025, 1 tax year back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
2 of 6
filings with a surplus
Average deficit $454K a year · 5% of revenue · last 6 filings
Concern: a surplus in 2 of the last 6 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 6 filings
Spent on programs
65%
of spending
Worth a look: 65% of spending went to programs; under 65%.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$1.1M
to officers and key staff · 12% of spending
Looks good: pay to officers and key staff is 12% of spending; 15% or less.
Pt VII · Sec A
2 mo
of spending, in cash
Plus $1.9M in investments, Pt X · Ln 11–13
Fine: 1.5 months of spending in cash; 1 to 3.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
15
named funders · $1.1M
Looks good: 15 funders name it on their filings; 3 or more.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$4.0M
61% of total assets
Fine: liabilities are 61% of assets; 50% to 65%.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
13
of 13 voting members
Looks good: 13 of 13 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$8.5M
-12% vs prior year
Spent
$9.1M
To programs
65%
Net assets
$2.6M
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$8.5M
FY2025▼ -12%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$7.7M
FY2021$7.1M
FY2022$7.7M
FY2023$10.2M
FY2024$9.7M
FY2025$8.5M
Expenses
$9.1M
FY2025▼ -10%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$7.4M
FY2021$7.5M
FY2022$9.4M
FY2023$10.1M
FY2024$10.2M
FY2025$9.1M
Net assets
$2.6M
FY2025▼ -24%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$6.2M
FY2021$6.4M
FY2022$3.6M
FY2023$3.8M
FY2024$3.4M
FY2025$2.6M

From the FY2025 Form 990 (year ending June 2025) · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

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Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2025. IRS ruling in Jul 1995.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

65 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 65% · $5.9M Management & general 28% · $2.6M Fundraising 7% · $622K

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

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Who runs it and what they're paid

20 people listed on the 990; $1.1M paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation · most recent filed roster (FY2024); the FY2025 filing did not itemize Part VII
Executive Director
$183,582Pt VII · Sec A
Chief Executive Officer
$178,800Pt VII · Sec A
VP of Conservation Science
$155,158Pt VII · Sec A
IT Manager
$152,215Pt VII · Sec A
Chief Advancement Officer
$137,933Pt VII · Sec A
Principal Software Engineer
$131,068Pt VII · Sec A
Director of Finance
$129,226Pt VII · Sec A
Board of Directors Member
$0Pt VII · Sec A

Lori Scott’s $184K as Executive Director is at the 79th percentile of top reported officer pay among 1851 $1–10M environment nonprofits. Peer set: organizations in the same NTEE major field of work and revenue-size band, compared on each org’s own highest-paid officer/key-employee, from Form 990 Part VII / 990-PF Part VIII. Descriptive placement, not a verdict on whether the pay is appropriate.

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 8 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2025FY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Sean O'Brien—$243,928$248,407———
Sean T O'Brien———$233,805$228,274$222,291
Stephen Sellers—$198,520$195,694$190,894$87,119—
Lori Scott$183,582$164,597$162,592$158,685$128,714$145,670
Anne Bowser$178,800$135,655$112,926———
Helen Hamilton——$162,458$154,910——
Jeanette Stoltzfus Chief—$157,693————
Regan Smyth$155,158$137,770$131,456———

Total reportable compensation (Form 990 Part VII column D / Schedule J column E) by filing year, matched by name within this organization. The Schedule J base / bonus / deferred breakdown is not parsed into this dataset.

See Natureserve executive salaries →

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Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2No
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Conserves biodiversity using data, science, and technology globally.

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Provided by the organization

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3 programs · $5.9M · in their own filed words · FY2024
01

Scientific Data and Methods

NatureServe provides the trusted science that conservation depends on. Working with expert partners across North America, we collect and analyze data on plants, animals, and ecosystems--especially those most at risk.

$2.7Mprogram expense
02

Conservation Products and Services

NatureServe turns complex biodiversity data into practical tools and information anyone can use. We maintain the most comprehensive information available on more than 100,000 species and ecosystems and share it through free and subscription-based tools like NatureServe Explorer.

$1.8Mprogram expense
03

Technology Research, Development, and Data Management

NatureServe builds and maintains the technology that powers modern conservation. Our core system helps states and provinces track and map rare and threatened species and ecosystems, supporting environmental review and land-use planning across North America.

$1.4Mprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · funders on record
Grants received · FY2024
See all 15 funders →

By the numbers

The FY2025 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$8.5M
Ln 12
Fees for servicesLn 2g$4.6M
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$3.5M
Investment incomeLn 3$327K
Money outPt IX
$9.1M
Ln 25
Programscol B$5.9M
Managementcol C$2.6M
Fundraisingcol D$622K
Owns and owesPt X
$2.6M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$1.1M
Total assetsLn 16$6.6M
LiabilitiesLn 26$4.0M
PeoplePt VI, VII
20
listed · VII A
PaidVII A7
Voting boardVI 1a13
IndependentVI 1b13
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$3.5M
Government grantsLn 1e$2.7M
Noncash giftsLn 1g$11K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$4.6M
Investment incomeLn 3$327K
Other incomeLn 4–11$150K
Gains on assetsLn 7$250K
Total revenueLn 12$8.5M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$652K
SavingsLn 2$463K
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$1.1M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$1.9M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$325K
Other assetsLn 15$1.5M
Total assetsLn 16$6.6M
LiabilitiesLn 26$4.0M
Net assetsLn 32$2.6M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 573
VolunteersI 612
Fiscal year endsHeaderJune
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14Yes
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY25End FY25
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$1.3M$1.1M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$2.0M$1.9M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$82K$325K
Total assetsLn 16$8.0M$6.6M
LiabilitiesLn 26$4.6M$4.0M
Net assetsLn 32$3.4M$2.6M
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$422K$280K$108K$34K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$5.1M$3.4M$1.3M$411K
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$278K$185K$71K$22K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$402K$264K$106K$32K
Payroll taxesLn 10$439K$291K$113K$35K
Legal feesLn 11b$5K$5K
Accounting feesLn 11c$28K$28K
Investment management feesLn 11f$14K$14K
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$369K$107K$223K$39K
Office expensesLn 13$155K$18K$129K$7K
Information technologyLn 14$940K$727K$213K$181
OccupancyLn 16$326K$236K$56K$34K
TravelLn 17$90K$53K$32K$6K
Conferences, conventions and meetingsLn 19$22K$9K$12K$553
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$22K$22K
InsuranceLn 23$51K$51K
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$421K$321K$99K$1K
Total functional expensesLn 25$9.1M$5.9M$2.6M$622K

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest Viewing $8.5M$9.1M−$594K$2.6M 990 PDF
FY2024 $9.7M$10.2M−$512K$3.4M 990 PDF
FY2023 $10.2M$10.1M$136K$3.8M 990 PDF
FY2022 $7.7M$9.4M−$1.7M$3.6M 990 PDF
FY2021 $7.1M$7.5M−$359K$6.4M 990 PDF
FY2020 $7.7M$7.4M$273K$6.2M 990 PDF

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Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons I · Grants A · Public support J · Pay O · Explanations
See the full FY2025 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $8,529,867 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $5,354,230$3,482,878
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $4,109,725$4,569,580
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $152,501$327,486
I-11 Other revenuePrior year $34,625$149,923
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $9,651,081$8,529,867
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $0$0
I-14 Benefits paid to membersPrior year $0$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $6,913,123$6,682,473
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $0$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $3,250,071$2,441,834
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $10,163,194$9,124,307
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year −$512,113−$594,440
Part VI · Governance 13 of 13 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body13
VI-1b Independent voting members13
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsNo
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyYes
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyYes
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyYes
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payYes
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $8,529,867 across 9 lines filed
VIII-1e Government grants$2,655,149
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$827,729
VIII-1g Noncash contributions (included above)$10,522
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$3,482,878
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $4,569,580$4,569,580
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $77,203$77,203
VIII-6 Net rental income or lossExcluded from tax $149,923$149,923
VIII-7 Net gain or loss on sales of assetsExcluded from tax $250,283$250,283
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $4,569,580 · Unrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax $477,409$8,529,867
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $9,124,307 across 17 lines filed
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffPrograms $279,690 · Management $108,276 · Fundraising $33,713$421,679
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $3,412,637 · Management $1,318,019 · Fundraising $411,346$5,142,002
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $184,603 · Management $71,295 · Fundraising $22,251$278,149
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $264,115 · Management $105,757 · Fundraising $31,835$401,707
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $291,300 · Management $112,524 · Fundraising $35,112$438,936
IX-11b Legal feesManagement $4,651$4,651
IX-11c Accounting feesManagement $27,876$27,876
IX-11f Investment management feesManagement $13,658$13,658
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $107,432 · Management $223,015 · Fundraising $38,972$369,419
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $18,329 · Management $129,349 · Fundraising $6,882$154,560
IX-14 Information technologyPrograms $727,030 · Management $212,974 · Fundraising $181$940,185
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $235,779 · Management $56,138 · Fundraising $33,683$325,600
IX-17 TravelPrograms $52,566 · Management $31,585 · Fundraising $5,955$90,106
IX-19 Conferences, conventions and meetingsPrograms $9,479 · Management $11,763 · Fundraising $553$21,795
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationManagement $22,254$22,254
IX-23 InsuranceManagement $50,526$50,526
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $320,683 · Management $99,052 · Fundraising $1,469$421,204
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $5,903,643 · Management $2,598,712 · Fundraising $621,952$9,124,307
Part X · Balance sheet $6,591,719 assets, 17 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $763,099$651,861
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $554,437$462,634
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $878,081$145,409
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $1,888,556$1,645,254
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $131,613$32,465
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $82,193$325,427
X-11 Publicly traded securitiesStart of year $2,021,522$1,868,708
X-15 Other assetsStart of year $1,711,639$1,459,961
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $8,031,140$6,591,719
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $985,716$695,172
X-19 Deferred revenueStart of year $1,656,838$1,588,088
X-25 Other liabilitiesStart of year $1,995,243$1,742,232
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $4,637,797$4,025,492
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $2,114,605$1,649,188
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $1,278,738$917,039
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $3,393,343$2,566,227
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $8,031,140$6,591,719
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $2,566,227 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$8,529,867
XI-2 Total expenses$9,124,307
XI-3 Revenue less expenses−$594,440
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$3,393,343
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments−$229,868
XI-9 Other changes in net assets−$2,808
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$2,566,227

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2025 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

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