Upper Saco Valley Land Trust

Upper Saco Valley Land Trust shows strong asset growth and low liabilities with no reported officer compensation.

EIN: 20521030 · Conway, NH · NTEE: K25 · Updated: 2026-03-28

$1.7MRevenue

$8.9MAssets

92/100Mission Score (Excellent)

K25

About Upper Saco Valley Land Trust

Upper Saco Valley Land Trust (EIN: 20521030) is a nonprofit organization based in Conway, NH, classified under NTEE code K25. The organization reported total revenue of $1.7M and total assets of $8.9M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Upper Saco Valley Land Trust's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.

AI Transparency Report

The Upper Saco Valley Land Trust demonstrates strong financial health and a clear commitment to its mission of land conservation. Over the past five years, the organization has consistently grown its assets, reaching $8,878,247 in the latest period, indicating effective stewardship of resources. Revenue has fluctuated, with a notable peak of $2,571,929 in 2020, but has remained robust, with the latest reported revenue at $1,713,757. The organization's liabilities are consistently low relative to its assets, suggesting a stable financial position.

Spending efficiency appears high, as evidenced by the relatively low expenses compared to revenue in most years. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $612,016 against revenues of $1,587,699. A key indicator of transparency and good governance is the consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which suggests that leadership is either volunteer-based or compensated through other means not classified as officer compensation, which is a positive sign for donor confidence. The organization's NTEE code K25 (Land Resources Conservation) aligns well with its name and implied mission.

Mission Effectiveness Score

NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Upper Saco Valley Land Trust with a Mission Score of 92 out of 100 (Excellent). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.

Spending Breakdown

admin: 7%
programs: 90%
fundraising: 3%

According to IRS 990 filings, Upper Saco Valley Land Trust allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 7%, programs: 90%, fundraising: 3%. With 90% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.

Executive Compensation Analysis

The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is highly unusual for an organization of its size with assets nearing $9 million and annual revenues over $1.7 million. This suggests either a fully volunteer-led executive team or that executive compensation is categorized differently within their financial reporting, warranting further investigation for full transparency.

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 Upper Saco Valley Land Trust's IRS 990 filings:

Consistent 0% reported officer compensation for an organization of this size, which may obscure actual executive remuneration if it's categorized elsewhere.

Strengths

The following positive indicators were identified for Upper Saco Valley Land Trust:

Strong and consistent asset growth, indicating effective financial management and long-term stability.
Low liabilities relative to assets, demonstrating a healthy balance sheet.
High program efficiency, with expenses generally well below revenue, suggesting effective use of funds.
Clear alignment between the organization's name, NTEE code, and implied mission of land conservation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Upper Saco Valley Land Trust

How does Upper Saco Valley Land Trust manage to operate with 0% reported officer compensation?

The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is highly unusual for an organization of this size. It suggests either a fully volunteer executive leadership or that executive compensation is categorized under other expense lines, which would require further detail from the organization to understand fully.

What is the primary source of the organization's significant revenue fluctuations?

Revenue has varied significantly, from $427,546 in 2015 to $2,571,929 in 2020. This could be due to large one-time grants, major land acquisition projects, or significant fundraising campaigns in specific years. A detailed look at their revenue streams (e.g., grants, contributions, program service revenue) would clarify this.

What is the organization's strategy for managing its growing assets?

With assets growing from $1,574,366 in 2014 to $8,878,247 currently, the organization has significantly increased its financial base. Understanding how these assets are invested and utilized to further its land conservation mission, beyond just land holdings, would be beneficial.

Filing History

IRS 990 filing history for Upper Saco Valley Land Trust showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:

Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Upper Saco Valley Land Trust's revenue has grown by 279.1%, moving from $419K to $1.6M. Total assets increased by 933.7% over the same period, from $761K to $7.9M. Total functional expenses rose by 42.4%, from $430K to $612K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Upper Saco Valley Land Trust reported a surplus of $976K, with revenue exceeding expenses. The organization holds $41K in liabilities against $7.9M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 0.5%), resulting in net assets of $7.8M.

Year	Revenue	Expenses	Assets	Liabilities	Officer Comp.	PDF
2023	$1.6M	$612K	$7.9M	$41K	—	—
2022	$1.4M	$618K	$6.8M	$44K	—	View 990
2021	$1.8M	$502K	$6.3M	$242K	—	View 990
2020	$2.6M	$820K	$4.8M	$25K	—	View 990
2019	$766K	$346K	$3.0M	$39K	—	View 990
2018	$555K	$283K	$2.5M	$17K	—	View 990
2017	$1.0M	$626K	$2.2M	$21K	—	View 990
2016	$439K	$476K	$1.8M	$10K	—	View 990
2015	$428K	$170K	$1.8M	$8K	—	View 990
2014	$514K	$707K	$1.6M	$4K	—	View 990
2013	$887K	$657K	$1.8M	$5K	—	View 990
2012	$1.8M	$973K	$1.5M	$7K	—	View 990
2011	$419K	$430K	$761K	$2K	—	View 990

Year-by-Year Financial Summary

2023: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $612K, and assets of $7.9M (revenue +10.0% year-over-year).
2022: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $618K, and assets of $6.8M (revenue -18.0% year-over-year).
2021: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $502K, and assets of $6.3M (revenue -31.6% year-over-year).
2020: Revenue of $2.6M, expenses of $820K, and assets of $4.8M (revenue +235.6% year-over-year).
2019: Revenue of $766K, expenses of $346K, and assets of $3.0M (revenue +38.1% year-over-year).
2018: Revenue of $555K, expenses of $283K, and assets of $2.5M (revenue -46.6% year-over-year).
2017: Revenue of $1.0M, expenses of $626K, and assets of $2.2M (revenue +136.9% year-over-year).
2016: Revenue of $439K, expenses of $476K, and assets of $1.8M (revenue +2.7% year-over-year).
2015: Revenue of $428K, expenses of $170K, and assets of $1.8M (revenue -16.9% year-over-year).
2014: Revenue of $514K, expenses of $707K, and assets of $1.6M (revenue -42.0% year-over-year).
2013: Revenue of $887K, expenses of $657K, and assets of $1.8M (revenue -51.3% year-over-year).
2012: Revenue of $1.8M, expenses of $973K, and assets of $1.5M (revenue +334.9% year-over-year).
2011: Revenue of $419K, expenses of $430K, and assets of $761K.

Data Sources and Methodology

This transparency report for Upper Saco Valley Land Trust 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.