Conserving Carolina

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To protect, restore, and inspire appreciation of the natural world.

Form 990 Part I, line 1, FY2025. The organization’s own words, as filed with the IRS. Find it at the IRS (EIN 56-6449365) · Dispute this line
501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
95¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
Run by 95 volunteers and 80 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
Listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
The IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2025
latest Form 990
The latest return is for FY2025, 1 tax year back.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
6 of 6
filings with a surplus
Average surplus $4.2M a year · 38% of revenue · last 6 filings
A surplus in 6 of the last 6 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 6 filings
Spent on programs
95%
of spending
95% of spending went to programs.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$130K
to officers and key staff · 0.7% of spending
Pay to officers and key staff is 0.7% of spending.
Part VII, Section A
2.4 mo
of spending, in cash
Plus $6.8M in investments, Pt X · Ln 11–13
2.4 months of spending in cash.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
3
named funders · $117K
3 funders name it on their filings.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$720K
1% of total assets
Liabilities are 1% of assets.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
24
of 24 voting members
24 of 24 voting members are independent.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Revenue
$21.6M
+231% vs prior year
Spent
$17.8M
To programs
95%
Net assets
$48.7M
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$21.6M
FY2025▲ +231%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$6.4M
FY2021$6.5M
FY2022$15.8M
FY2023$11.2M
FY2024$6.5M
FY2025$21.6M
Expenses
$17.8M
FY2025▲ +215%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$4.7M
FY2021$4.5M
FY2022$3.4M
FY2023$6.4M
FY2024$5.7M
FY2025$17.8M
Net assets
$48.7M
FY2025▲ +9%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$24.1M
FY2021$26.7M
FY2022$38.1M
FY2023$43.2M
FY2024$44.5M
FY2025$48.7M

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

Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2025. IRS ruling in Oct 1994.

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

Where the money goes

95 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 95% · $16.9M Management & general 3% · $524K Fundraising 2% · $419K

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

Something off? Claim to add context

Who runs it and what they're paid

26 people listed on the 990; $130K paid to officers and key staff (Part VII, Section A).

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation · most recent filed roster (FY2024); the FY2025 filing did not itemize Part VII
Executive Director
$129,993Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Treasurer
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Vice President
$0Pt VII · Sec A
President
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Board Member
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Board Member
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Board Member
$0Pt VII · Sec A

Kieran Roe’s $130K as Executive Director is at the 8th percentile of top reported officer pay among 324 $10–100M 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 · 2 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2025FY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Kieran Roe$129,993$129,246$117,366$111,348$106,050$99,401
Janet Killian——$108,911$100,807——

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 Conserving Carolina executive salaries →

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

Protects, restores, and inspires appreciation for the natural world.

Questions for Conserving Carolina

Tap to ask. Conserving Carolina sees how many people are interested.

Your first name shows with your question. Conserving Carolina answers here, for everyone.

3 programs · $16.9M · in their own filed words · FY2024
01

Stewardship, Restoration, and Public Access Conserving Carolina continued to steward and enforce the conservation easements it holds, while striving to bring the most current scientific land management resources to our partner landowners.

Form 990 Part III, line 4, FY2024. The organization’s own words, as filed with the IRS. Find it at the IRS (EIN 56-6449365) · Dispute this line
$15.0Mprogram expense
02

Education and Outreach Conserving Carolina continues to educate the public through a variety of avenues including print and social media stories and in-person and remote educational events.

Form 990 Part III, line 4, FY2024. The organization’s own words, as filed with the IRS. Find it at the IRS (EIN 56-6449365) · Dispute this line
$1.2Mprogram expense
03

Land Protection Program The Land Protection Program conserves natural resources by protecting lands including water quality, endangered and threatened species, critical habitat for wildlife, important agricultural soils, scenic views, and opportunities for public recreation.

Form 990 Part III, line 4, FY2024. The organization’s own words, as filed with the IRS. Find it at the IRS (EIN 56-6449365) · Dispute this line
$740Kprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

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

Grants

Schedule I · received and paid
Grants received · FY2025
Total grants receivedfrom 3 funders$117K
See all 3 funders →
Grants paid · 6 grants · $12.9M · 2022–2024
The Saluda Grade Trails ConservancyFY2024$12,806,177
Individual RecipientFY2023$41,625
Individual RecipientFY2022$8,500
Gerton Volunteer Fire and RescueFY2022$6,000
NC State UniversityNC · FY2022$3,000
Emory and Henry CollegeFY2022$1,500

Federal money

Single Audit · Federal Audit Clearinghouse · money spent from federal programs
Year ending Jun 2022 · $7.2M federal money spent
Highway Planning and ConstructionDepartment of Transportation · ALN 20.205 · Through North Carolina Department of Transportation$6.4M
AmericorpsAmeriCorps · ALN 94.006 · Through NC Commissionn on Volunteerism and Community Service$591K
Agricultural Conservation Easement ProgramDepartment of Agriculture · ALN 10.931 · Direct$210K
Partners for Fish and WildlifeDepartment of the Interior · ALN 15.631 · Direct$13K

The auditor reported no findings.

Year ending Jun 2021 · $1.2M federal money spent
Agricultural Conservation Easement ProgramDepartment of Agriculture · ALN 10.931 · Direct$665K
AmericorpsAmeriCorps · ALN 94.006 · Direct$421K
Nonpoint Source Implementation GrantsEnvironmental Protection Agency · ALN 66.460 · Direct$94K
Partners for Fish and WildlifeDepartment of the Interior · ALN 15.631 · Direct$52K

The auditor reported no findings.

Year ending Jun 2018 · $1.1M federal money spent
Endangered Species Conservation ? Recovery Implementation FundsDepartment of the Interior · ALN 15.657 · Direct$615K
AmericorpsAmeriCorps · ALN 94.006 · Through Office of the Governor-NC Commission on Volunteerism and Community Ser$427K
Partners for Fish and WildlifeDepartment of the Interior · ALN 15.631 · Direct$51K

The auditor reported 1 finding.

By the numbers

The FY2025 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$21.6M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$20.7M
Investment incomeLn 3$567K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$327K
Money outPt IX
$17.8M
Ln 25
Programscol B$16.9M
Managementcol C$524K
Fundraisingcol D$419K
Owns and owesPt X
$48.7M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$3.6M
Total assetsLn 16$49.4M
LiabilitiesLn 26$720K
PeoplePt VI, VII
26
listed · VII A
PaidVII A1
Voting boardVI 1a24
IndependentVI 1b24
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$20.7M
Government grantsLn 1e$16.7M
Noncash giftsLn 1g$67K
Fundraising eventsLn 1c$195K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$327K
Investment incomeLn 3$567K
Other incomeLn 4–11$9K
Gains on assetsLn 7$20K
Total revenueLn 12$21.6M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$704K
SavingsLn 2$2.9M
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$3.6M
Pledges and grants receivableLn 3$1.5M
Accounts receivableLn 4$184K
Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesLn 9$29K
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$34.1M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$6.8M
Other assetsLn 15$3.2M
Total assetsLn 16$49.4M
LiabilitiesLn 26$720K
Net assetsLn 32$48.7M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 580
VolunteersI 695
Fiscal year endsHeaderJune
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14Yes
3More from this return
Abroad and in kindSch F, M
Noncash gifts receivedSch M Pt I$67K
EndowmentSch D · Pt V
LineFY25FY24FY23FY22FY21
End of yearLn 1g$2.7M$2.1M$2.0M$1.4M$1.5M
AddedLn 1b$457K$14K$116K
SpentLn 1d–1f$7K$7K$6K$5K$5K
4Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY25End FY25
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$3.6M$3.6M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$5.9M$6.8M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$33.2M$34.1M
Total assetsLn 16$45.8M$49.4M
LiabilitiesLn 26$1.3M$720K
Net assetsLn 32$44.5M$48.7M
5Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Grants to domestic organizationsLn 1$12.8M$12.8M
Grants to domestic individualsLn 2$4K$4K
Grants and assistance to foreign recipientsLn 3$0
Benefits paid to or for membersLn 4$0
Pay of officers and key staff (Part IX, line 5)Ln 5$178K$107K$71K
Pay of disqualified personsLn 6$0
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$2.1M$1.5M$264K$284K
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$33K$19K$6K$8K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$134K$81K$27K$26K
Payroll taxesLn 10$168K$122K$25K$21K
Management feesLn 11a$0
Legal feesLn 11b$18K$18K
Accounting feesLn 11c$107K$78K$15K$14K
Lobbying feesLn 11d$12K$8K$2K$1K
Investment management feesLn 11f$0
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$1.1M$1.0M$23K$8K
Advertising and promotionLn 12$16K$9K$968$7K
Office expensesLn 13$96K$62K$10K$24K
Information technologyLn 14$41K$30K$6K$5K
RoyaltiesLn 15$0
OccupancyLn 16$15K$12K$1K$1K
TravelLn 17$38K$26K$11K$747
Travel and entertainment for public officialsLn 18$0
Conferences, conventions and meetingsLn 19$0
InterestLn 20$16K$10K$6K
Payments to affiliatesLn 21$0
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$35K$7K$28K
InsuranceLn 23$62K$45K$9K$8K
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$792K$791K$492$421
All other expensesLn 24e$91K$60K$19K$11K
Total functional expensesLn 25$17.8M$16.9M$524K$419K

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest ViewingFiled with the IRS May 12, 2026 $21.6M$17.8M$3.8M$48.7M 990 PDF
FY2024Filed with the IRS May 12, 2025 $6.5M$5.7M$874K$44.5M 990 PDF
FY2023Filed with the IRS May 14, 2024 $11.2M$6.4M$4.8M$43.2M 990 PDF
FY2022Filed with the IRS May 19, 2023 $15.8M$3.4M$12.4M$38.1M 990 PDF
FY2021Filed with the IRS Mar 16, 2022 $6.5M$4.5M$2.0M$26.7M 990 PDF
FY2020Filed with the IRS Feb 10, 2021 $6.4M$4.7M$1.7M$24.1M 990 PDF

Schedules filed Part IV

A · Public support B · Donors C · Political and lobbying D · Assets and endowments G · Fundraising I · Grants M · Noncash O · Explanations R · Related orgs
See the full FY2025 990
Part I · Summary $21,581,120 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $6,078,720$20,678,817
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $13,249$326,629
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $388,213$566,651
I-11 Other revenuePrior year $47,451$9,023
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $6,527,633$21,581,120
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $43,125$12,809,827
I-14 Benefits paid to members$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $1,646,302$2,606,982
I-16a Professional fundraising fees$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $3,964,667$2,406,445
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $5,654,094$17,823,254
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year $873,539$3,757,866
Part VI · Governance 24 of 24 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body24
VI-1b Independent voting members24
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 $21,581,120 across 11 lines filed
Lines not itemized here account for $30,819 of total revenue; see the IRS return.
VIII-1c Fundraising events$195,092
VIII-1e Government grants$16,653,431
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$3,830,294
VIII-1g Noncash contributions (included above)$66,914
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$20,678,817
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $326,629$326,629
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $546,590$546,590
VIII-7 Net gain or loss on sales of assets$20,061
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising events−$24,836
VIII-11a-d Other revenue, itemized rows (sum of 11a–11d as filed)Excluded from tax $3,040$3,040
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $326,629 · Excluded from tax $580,449$21,581,120
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $17,823,254 across 30 lines filed
IX-1 Grants to domestic organizationsPrograms $12,806,077$12,806,077
IX-2 Grants to domestic individualsPrograms $3,750$3,750
IX-3 Grants and assistance to foreign recipients$0
IX-4 Benefits paid to or for members$0
IX-5 Pay of officers and key staff (Part IX, line 5)Programs $106,746 · Management $71,164$177,910
IX-6 Pay of disqualified persons$0
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $1,547,079 · Management $263,769 · Fundraising $283,502$2,094,350
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $19,125 · Management $5,835 · Fundraising $7,727$32,687
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $80,696 · Management $27,373 · Fundraising $26,137$134,206
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $122,253 · Management $24,538 · Fundraising $21,038$167,829
IX-11a Management fees$0
IX-11b Legal feesPrograms $18,138$18,138
IX-11c Accounting feesPrograms $77,638 · Management $15,300 · Fundraising $13,819$106,757
IX-11d Lobbying feesPrograms $8,395 · Management $1,725 · Fundraising $1,380$11,500
IX-11f Investment management fees$0
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $1,037,340 · Management $23,345 · Fundraising $8,411$1,069,096
IX-12 Advertising and promotionPrograms $8,608 · Management $968 · Fundraising $6,533$16,109
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $62,255 · Management $9,740 · Fundraising $24,193$96,188
IX-14 Information technologyPrograms $29,610 · Management $5,943 · Fundraising $5,095$40,648
IX-15 Royalties$0
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $12,420 · Management $1,213 · Fundraising $1,040$14,673
IX-17 TravelPrograms $26,000 · Management $10,891 · Fundraising $747$37,638
IX-18 Travel and entertainment for public officials$0
IX-19 Conferences, conventions and meetings$0
IX-20 InterestPrograms $10,444 · Management $5,765$16,209
IX-21 Payments to affiliates$0
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $7,436 · Management $27,553$34,989
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $45,191 · Management $9,071 · Fundraising $7,777$62,039
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $790,863 · Management $492 · Fundraising $421$791,776
IX-24e All other expensesPrograms $60,236 · Management $19,070 · Fundraising $11,379$90,685
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $16,880,300 · Management $523,755 · Fundraising $419,199$17,823,254
Part X · Balance sheet $49,403,165 assets, 17 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $2,029,827$703,851
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $1,545,901$2,869,409
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $824,681$1,543,355
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $39,571$183,871
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $21,151$28,656
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $33,219,534$34,101,458
X-11 Publicly traded securitiesStart of year $5,861,225$6,806,293
X-15 Other assetsStart of year $2,288,257$3,166,272
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $45,847,147$49,403,165
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $734,667$402,793
X-19 Deferred revenue$15,243
X-23 Secured mortgages and notes payableStart of year $591,100$301,585
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $1,325,767$719,621
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $7,830,092$10,642,010
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $36,691,288$38,041,534
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $44,521,380$48,683,544
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $45,847,147$49,403,165
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $48,683,544 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$21,581,120
XI-2 Total expenses$17,823,254
XI-3 Revenue less expenses$3,757,866
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$44,521,380
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments$404,298
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$48,683,544

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

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