Conserving Carolina FY2021 filing

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

Form 990 Part I, line 1, FY2021. 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.
85¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
$106K paid to officers and key staff.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · Pay: Part VII

Before you give

FY2021 · 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
85%
of spending
85% of spending went to programs.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$106K
to officers and key staff · 2% of spending
Pay to officers and key staff is 2% of spending.
Part VII, Section A
3.3 mo
of spending, in cash
Plus $3.3M in investments, Pt X · Ln 11–13
3.3 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
$1.6M
6% of total assets
Liabilities are 6% of assets.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
18
of 18 voting members
18 of 18 voting members are independent.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Revenue
$6.5M
+2% vs prior year
Spent
$4.5M
To programs
85%
Net assets
$26.7M
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$6.5M
FY2021▲ +2%
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
$4.5M
FY2021▼ -4%
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
$26.7M
FY2021▲ +11%
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 FY2021 Form 990 (year ending June 2021) · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

You’re viewing the FY2021 filing — not the latest on file. See the latest (FY2025) →

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

85 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 85% · $3.8M Management & general 10% · $437K Fundraising 6% · $249K

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

19 people listed on the 990; $106K paid to officers and key staff (Part VII, Section A).

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation · most recent filed roster (FY2020); the FY2021 filing did not itemize Part VII
Executive Director
$106,050Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Vice President
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$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.

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3 programs · $3.8M · in their own filed words · FY2020
01

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, FY2020. The organization’s own words, as filed with the IRS. Find it at the IRS (EIN 56-6449365) · Dispute this line
$3.8Mprogram expense
02

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, FY2020. The organization’s own words, as filed with the IRS. Find it at the IRS (EIN 56-6449365) · Dispute this line
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
03

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. Conserving Carolina also continues to encourage and facilitate public engagement with conserved and protected areas through outings, hikes, and its Hiking Challenge…

Form 990 Part III, line 4, FY2020. The organization’s own words, as filed with the IRS. Find it at the IRS (EIN 56-6449365) · Dispute this line
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B

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 FY2021 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$6.5M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$6.2M
Investment incomeLn 3$164K
Other incomeLn 4–11$34K
Money outPt IX
$4.5M
Ln 25
Programscol B$3.8M
Managementcol C$437K
Fundraisingcol D$249K
Owns and owesPt X
$26.7M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$1.2M
Total assetsLn 16$28.3M
LiabilitiesLn 26$1.6M
PeoplePt VI, VII
19
listed · VII A
PaidVII A1
Voting boardVI 1a18
IndependentVI 1b18
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$6.2M
Government grantsLn 1e$3.3M
Noncash giftsLn 1g$1.5M
Fundraising eventsLn 1c$46K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$27K
Investment incomeLn 3$164K
Other incomeLn 4–11$34K
Gains on assetsLn 7$98K
Total revenueLn 12$6.5M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
CashLn 1$975K
SavingsLn 2$269K
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$1.2M
Pledges and grants receivableLn 3$1.1M
Accounts receivableLn 4$13K
Notes and loans receivableLn 7$17K
Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesLn 9$35K
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$21.0M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$3.3M
Other assetsLn 15$1.6M
Total assetsLn 16$28.3M
LiabilitiesLn 26$1.6M
Net assetsLn 32$26.7M
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$1.5M
Investment feesPt IX, Sch D
Investment fees, as reportedPt IX 11f$10K
Share of the $1.5M endowmentSch D 1g0.63%
Typical, median of 2,202 orgs0.44%
EndowmentSch D · Pt V
LineFY21FY20FY19FY18FY17
End of yearLn 1g$1.5M$1.2M$1.2M$1.1M$402K
AddedLn 1b$116K$0$57K$707K
SpentLn 1d–1f$5K$4K$4K$45K
4Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY21End FY21
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$2.2M$1.2M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$2.6M$3.3M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$20.8M$21.0M
Total assetsLn 16$27.7M$28.3M
LiabilitiesLn 26$3.6M$1.6M
Net assetsLn 32$24.1M$26.7M
5Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Pay of officers and key staff (Part IX, line 5)Ln 5$170K$108K$33K$29K
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$1.3M$978K$177K$155K
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$26K$15K$7K$5K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$102K$59K$28K$16K
Payroll taxesLn 10$113K$77K$21K$14K
Legal feesLn 11b$76K$76K$0$0
Accounting feesLn 11c$24K$0$24K$0
Investment management feesLn 11f$10K$0$10K$0
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$732K$724K$9K$0
Advertising and promotionLn 12$6K$5K$355$565
Office expensesLn 13$50K$13K$18K$19K
Information technologyLn 14$54K$12K$39K$3K
OccupancyLn 16$26K$3K$23K$0
TravelLn 17$20K$18K$2K$38
Conferences, conventions and meetingsLn 19$13K$12K$914$640
InterestLn 20$14K$14K$0$0
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$22K$22K$0$0
InsuranceLn 23$44K$12K$32K$0
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$661K$661K$0$0
All other expensesLn 24e$1.0M$987K$13K$7K
Total functional expensesLn 25$4.5M$3.8M$437K$249K

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 LatestFiled 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
FY2021 ViewingFiled 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 D · Assets and endowments I · Grants M · Noncash O · Explanations
See the full FY2021 990
Part I · Summary $6,454,871 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $6,109,760$6,230,430
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $33,298$26,552
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $177,147$163,786
I-11 Other revenuePrior year $30,546$34,103
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $6,350,751$6,454,871
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $0$0
I-14 Benefits paid to members$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $1,731,896$1,720,697
I-16a Professional fundraising fees$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $2,928,680$2,761,289
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $4,660,576$4,481,986
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year $1,690,175$1,972,885
Part VI · Governance 18 of 18 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body18
VI-1b Independent voting members18
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 $6,454,871 across 10 lines filed
Lines not itemized here account for $15,725 of total revenue; see the IRS return.
VIII-1c Fundraising events$45,837
VIII-1e Government grants$3,327,787
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$2,856,806
VIII-1g Noncash contributions (included above)$1,464,629
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$6,230,430
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Unrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax $0$26,552
VIII-3 Investment incomeUnrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax $65,737$65,737
VIII-7 Net gain or loss on sales of assetsRelated to mission $0 · Unrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax $98,049$98,049
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising eventsUnrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax $18,378$18,378
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $26,552 · Unrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax $197,889$6,454,871
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $4,481,986 across 20 lines filed
IX-5 Pay of officers and key staff (Part IX, line 5)Programs $108,031 · Management $33,025 · Fundraising $28,860$169,916
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $977,644 · Management $177,270 · Fundraising $155,318$1,310,232
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $14,591 · Management $6,708 · Fundraising $4,881$26,180
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $58,691 · Management $27,538 · Fundraising $15,589$101,818
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $77,314 · Management $21,373 · Fundraising $13,864$112,551
IX-11b Legal feesPrograms $76,462 · Management $0 · Fundraising $0$76,462
IX-11c Accounting feesPrograms $0 · Management $24,450 · Fundraising $0$24,450
IX-11f Investment management feesPrograms $0 · Management $9,725 · Fundraising $0$9,725
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $723,562 · Management $8,720 · Fundraising $0$732,282
IX-12 Advertising and promotionPrograms $5,169 · Management $355 · Fundraising $565$6,089
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $12,685 · Management $18,464 · Fundraising $19,086$50,235
IX-14 Information technologyPrograms $11,856 · Management $38,535 · Fundraising $3,349$53,740
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $3,390 · Management $22,611 · Fundraising $0$26,001
IX-17 TravelPrograms $17,966 · Management $2,191 · Fundraising $38$20,195
IX-19 Conferences, conventions and meetingsPrograms $11,855 · Management $914 · Fundraising $640$13,409
IX-20 InterestPrograms $14,337 · Management $0 · Fundraising $0$14,337
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $21,507 · Management $0 · Fundraising $0$21,507
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $11,925 · Management $32,341 · Fundraising $0$44,266
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $661,350 · Management $0 · Fundraising $0$661,350
IX-24e All other expensesPrograms $987,183 · Management $13,176 · Fundraising $6,882$1,007,241
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $3,795,518 · Management $437,396 · Fundraising $249,072$4,481,986
Part X · Balance sheet $28,294,759 assets, 20 lines filed
X-1 Cash, non-interest-bearingStart of year $1,951,429$974,657
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $223,735$269,374
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $745,903$1,078,636
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $6,985$13,319
X-7 Notes and loans receivableStart of year $17,000$17,000
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $30,574$35,454
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $20,849,858$20,959,195
X-11 Publicly traded securitiesStart of year $2,600,958$3,324,902
X-15 Other assetsStart of year $1,247,946$1,622,222
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $27,674,388$28,294,759
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $692,012$84,660
X-19 Deferred revenueStart of year $855,993$11,946
X-23 Secured mortgages and notes payableStart of year $1,734,719$923,400
X-24 Unsecured notes and loans payableStart of year $292,982$589,382
X-25 Other liabilities$0
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $3,575,706$1,609,388
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $2,728,469$4,212,272
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $21,370,213$22,473,099
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $24,098,682$26,685,371
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $27,674,388$28,294,759
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $26,685,371 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$6,454,871
XI-2 Total expenses$4,481,986
XI-3 Revenue less expenses$1,972,885
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$24,098,682
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments$697,887
XI-9 Other changes in net assets−$84,083
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$26,685,371

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2021 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

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