Charity of the week: The Archaeological Conservancy

The Archaeological Conservancy (americanarchaeology.com) is the only nonprofit of national reach dedicated to acquiring prehistoric and historic archaeological sites in the U.S. and preserving them for posterity. Important American archaeological sites are lost continually to suburban sprawl, agriculture, and looters using backhoes. Since 1980, the organization has acquired more than 400 sites in 41 states, including several containing some of the earliest evidence of human habitation in North America. The Conservancy’s preservation sites include California’s Borax Lake site, where humans have lived for over 11,000 years, and Fort Foster, Maine, site of the Revolutionary War’s first naval battle. 

Each charity we feature has earned a four-star overall rating from Charity Navigator, which ranks not-for-profit organizations on the strength of their finances, their control of administrative and fund-raising expenses, and the transparency of their operations. Four stars is the group’s highest ranking.