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The 990 read · EIN 52-1388917 · VA · Fiscal year 2025

The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit

The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit Corporation: CEO salary, finances and where donations go

In its own words

“The conservation fund is in the business of conservation, creating innovative solutions that drive nature-based action for climate protection, sustainable economies and vibrant communities.”

Data only Figures straight from the filing, screened by our rules. Not yet reviewed in depth by a CPA.

Methodology by Amir Arani, CPA, CA · Updated

Top pay
$922K Lawrence a Selzer, 0.3% of spending
Revenue
$329.4M 34.6% from donations and grants
Spent
$319.7M 95.4% on programs, as reported
Net assets
$476.4M end of 2025
Savings
17.9 months of spending, net assets ÷ spending
People
243 employees, 21 volunteers
Form 990 (2025), Parts I, VII, IX, X
01 · Red flags

1 thing to look at.

We screen every filing against twelve rules. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

low

Business transactions with insiders or their companies

Part IV line 28a answered yes.

Form 990 Part IV, lines 28a–28c; Schedule L Part IV
02 · Where $1 goes · 2025

Of each dollar it spent, 95.4¢ went to programs, as reported.

The split the charity filed.
95.4¢
Programs, $305.0M
2.2¢
Fundraising, $7.1M
2.4¢
Admin, $7.6M
Form 990 (2025), Part IX, line 25
Cost to raise $1
6¢
as reported

For each dollar donated, The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit spent 6¢ on fundraising.

Fundraising ÷ $114.1M contributions · Form 990 Parts VIII, IX
03 · What it does

What it told the IRS it spent on.

The charity's own description of its largest programs, with what each cost.

Program 1 · 5.7% of program spending · $10.1M in grants $17.4M

Other conservation servicesthe conservation fund's communities-focused programs are dedicated to advancing the organization's dual mission by integrating conservation and economic development to build vibrant communities. These programs focus on impact areas such as urban conservation, rural economic development, sustainable food systems, water quality/supply protection, and aquaculture. This program area provides expertise to communities across the country to achieve the multiple benefits gained by investing in clean air, clean water, and community livability. The conservation fund brings…

Form 990 (2025), Part III
04 · The savings

Net assets: $472.0M to $476.4M in 11 years.

Net assets at each fiscal year end, 2013 to 2025.

Net assets at year end, $ millions
472
512
547
545
467
443
448
430
440
443
461
476
Form 990 history via ProPublicaForm 990 (2025)
05 · Who gets paid

The 8 highest-paid people.

Reportable pay in 2025, from the charity and related organizations.

Lawrence a Selzer
CEO & President
$922,078
Dean H Cannon
EVP & General Counsel
$491,046
John S Gilbert
EVP & CFO
$483,103
Kelly M Reed
SVP Government Relations
$350,722
Matthew S Sexton
SVP Conservation Acquisition
$350,099
Mark W Elsbree
SVP Conservation Acquisition
$349,752
Charles Francis Slingsby
SVP Energy Transition & Corporate Sustainablility
$348,657
Jeffrey Liebert
SVP Capital Investments
$341,865
Form 990 (2025), Part VII, Section A
Largest outside contractors
ContractorServicePaid
Barnett Logging IncForestry-logging and hauling$1,518,106
Sola Stella Homes Mgmt LLCConstruction services-building$697,810
Michael S Wright JrConstruction services-building$687,562
Robert Piper LoggingForestry-logging and hauling$426,896
Bohler Engineering Nc PllcLand survey services$339,127
Form 990 (2025), Part VII, Section B
06 · Questions

The questions people ask about the The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit.

Short, sourced answers. Each one stands on its own.

How much does the The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit CEO make?

Lawrence a Selzer, CEO & President, received $922,078 in reportable compensation in 2025, 0.3% of The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit's $319.7M in spending.

Form 990 (2025), Part VII

What percentage of The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit donations go to programs?

The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit reported 95.4% of 2025 spending as programs, 2.2% as fundraising and 2.4% as management.

Form 990 (2025), Part IX

How much money does The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit have?

Net assets were $476.4M at the end of 2025, about 17.9 months of spending.

Form 990 (2025), Part X

Does The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit have any red flags in its filing?

Its latest Form 990 triggered 1 of our twelve screening rules: business transactions with insiders or their companies. A flag is a prompt for a closer look, not a finding of wrongdoing.

Form 990 (2025)
07 · Sources and citing

Every number, traced.

  1. The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit Form 990, 2025 (IRS e-file)
  2. The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit Form 990 history (ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer)
Cite this page

Amir Arani, “The Conservation Fund a Nonprofit: CEO salary, finances and where your dollar goes,” Charity Math, updated 2026-11-07. https://charitymath.com/charities/the-conservation-fund-a-nonprofit/