Advanced Conservation Strategies
Advanced Conservation Strategies faces recurring deficits despite significant revenue, with no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 204002778 · Williamsburg, VA · NTEE: C05 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Advanced Conservation Strategies Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Advanced Conservation Strategies directs 70% of its spending to programs. This meets the industry benchmark of 65% for efficient nonprofits.
About Advanced Conservation Strategies
Advanced Conservation Strategies (EIN: 204002778) is a nonprofit organization based in Williamsburg, VA, classified under NTEE code C05. The organization reported total revenue of $824K and total assets of $503K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Advanced Conservation Strategies's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Advanced Conservation Strategies is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 20 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 23.9%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $756K |
| Total Expenses | $982K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-225,611 |
| Total Assets | $526K |
| Net Assets | $526K |
| Operating Margin | -29.8% |
| Months of Reserves | 6.4 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Advanced Conservation Strategies reported a deficit of $226K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 6.4 months of operating reserves (strong position).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Advanced Conservation Strategies's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.9%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +5.8% | +18.8% | -30.0% |
| 2022 | -36.5% | +9.1% | -13.0% |
| 2021 | +83.4% | -18.1% | +67.1% |
| 2020 | -6.4% | +101.4% | -36.0% |
| 2019 | -2.9% | +70.5% | +32.1% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2006 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Advanced Conservation Strategies with a Mission Score of 75 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 20%
- programs: 70%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Advanced Conservation Strategies allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 20%, programs: 70%, fundraising: 10%. Approximately 70% goes to programs, indicating moderate mission focus.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $226K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Advanced Conservation Strategies consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, indicating that its leadership is either entirely volunteer-based or compensated through non-officer roles, which is highly favorable for a nonprofit of its size (latest revenue $823,503).
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Advanced Conservation Strategies's IRS 990 filings:
- Recurring operating deficits (e.g., $225,611 in 2023, $111,860 in 2022, $311,325 in 2020)
- Inconsistent revenue and expense management leading to financial volatility
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Advanced Conservation Strategies:
- Consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation, indicating strong financial transparency and potentially volunteer leadership
- Significant growth in revenue and assets over the past decade
- Generally low or zero reported liabilities, suggesting good debt management
Frequently Asked Questions about Advanced Conservation Strategies
Is Advanced Conservation Strategies a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Advanced Conservation Strategies (EIN: 204002778) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Advanced Conservation Strategies spend its money?
Advanced Conservation Strategies directs 70% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Advanced Conservation Strategies tax-deductible?
Advanced Conservation Strategies is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 204002778). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Is Advanced Conservation Strategies a good charity?
Advanced Conservation Strategies exhibits strong transparency regarding executive compensation, reporting 0% officer compensation. However, its financial stability is inconsistent, with significant operating deficits in 2023 ($225,611 deficit), 2022 ($111,860 deficit), and 2020 ($311,325 deficit), which could impact its long-term effectiveness. A deeper dive into expense allocation would be beneficial.
Why does Advanced Conservation Strategies have recurring deficits?
The recurring deficits, such as the $225,611 deficit in 2023 and $111,860 deficit in 2022, suggest that the organization's expenses frequently outpace its revenue. This could be due to ambitious program spending, unexpected operational costs, or insufficient fundraising efforts relative to its activities. Further analysis of detailed expense categories would be needed to pinpoint the exact causes.
How has Advanced Conservation Strategies' financial health changed over time?
Advanced Conservation Strategies has experienced significant growth in revenue, from $145,860 in 2016 to a peak of $1,125,149 in 2021. However, this growth has been accompanied by volatility, with several years showing substantial deficits (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2020) and others showing surpluses (e.g., 2021, 2019, 2018). Assets have also grown considerably, from $123,974 in 2016 to $525,764 in 2023, indicating some financial resilience despite operational fluctuations.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Advanced Conservation Strategies showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Advanced Conservation Strategies's revenue has grown by 1204.2%, moving from $58K to $756K. Total assets increased by 606.7% over the same period, from $74K to $526K. Total functional expenses rose by 641.7%, from $132K to $982K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Advanced Conservation Strategies reported a deficit of $226K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $756K | $982K | $526K | $0 | — | — |
| 2022 | $715K | $827K | $751K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $1.1M | $758K | $863K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $614K | $925K | $517K | $21K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $656K | $459K | $807K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $675K | $269K | $611K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $393K | $312K | $206K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $146K | $199K | $124K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $176K | $238K | $178K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $282K | $160K | $239K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $182K | $165K | $117K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $230K | $179K | $100K | $0 | — | — |
| 2011 | $58K | $132K | $74K | $0 | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $756K, expenses of $982K, and assets of $526K (revenue +5.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $715K, expenses of $827K, and assets of $751K (revenue -36.5% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $758K, and assets of $863K (revenue +83.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $614K, expenses of $925K, and assets of $517K (revenue -6.4% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $656K, expenses of $459K, and assets of $807K (revenue -2.9% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $675K, expenses of $269K, and assets of $611K (revenue +71.6% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $393K, expenses of $312K, and assets of $206K (revenue +169.7% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $146K, expenses of $199K, and assets of $124K (revenue -17.3% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $176K, expenses of $238K, and assets of $178K (revenue -37.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $282K, expenses of $160K, and assets of $239K (revenue +55.2% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $182K, expenses of $165K, and assets of $117K (revenue -21.0% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $230K, expenses of $179K, and assets of $100K (revenue +297.3% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $58K, expenses of $132K, and assets of $74K.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Advanced Conservation Strategies is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.