Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by DUTCHESS LAND CONSERVANCY INC.

Totals

Total revenue: $4,124,135
Total expenses: $2,301,744
Contributions and grants received: $3,748,061
Grants paid: $0
Program service revenue: $0
Investment income: $465,828
Other revenue: -$89,754
Total assets, end of year: $27,924,806
Total liabilities, end of year: $261,976
Net assets or fund balances, end of year: $27,662,830
Program services expenses (Part IX): $1,763,166
Management and general expenses: $386,784
Fundraising expenses: $151,794
Program service expenses (Part III): $1,763,166

Program services were 76.6% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

1c · Fundraising events

$446,412
1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

$3,301,649
1g · Noncash contributions included above

$35,319
3 · Investment income

total $289,066 · excluded $289,066
7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

securities $6,055,270 · other assets $725,226
7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

securities $5,869,534 · other assets $734,200
7c · Gain or loss

securities $185,736 · other assets -$8,974
7d · Net gain or loss

total $176,762 · related or exempt $176,762
8a · Fundraising events: gross income

$53,850
8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

$446,412
8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

$173,120
8c · Net income from fundraising events

total -$119,270 · excluded -$119,270
11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS

total $29,516 · related or exempt $29,516
11e · Other revenue, total

$29,516

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

total $186,610 · program services $160,484 · management and general $13,063 · fundraising $13,063
7 · Other salaries and wages

total $921,221 · program services $715,493 · management and general $133,032 · fundraising $72,696
8 · Pension plan contributions

total $30,018 · program services $23,385 · management and general $4,991 · fundraising $1,642
9 · Other employee benefits

total $112,106 · program services $98,284 · management and general $10,948 · fundraising $2,874
10 · Payroll taxes

total $80,758 · program services $63,989 · management and general $10,930 · fundraising $5,839
11b · Fees: legal

total $114,755 · program services $92,008 · management and general $22,747
11c · Fees: accounting

total $22,838 · management and general $22,838
11f · Fees: investment management

total $36,771 · management and general $36,771
11g · Fees: other

total $84,492 · program services $84,492
12 · Advertising and promotion

total $17,701 · program services $1,419 · fundraising $16,282
13 · Office expenses

total $11,507 · program services $9,180 · management and general $1,000 · fundraising $1,327
14 · Information technology

total $33,208 · program services $21,795 · management and general $8,798 · fundraising $2,615
16 · Occupancy

total $62,566 · program services $36,247 · management and general $20,933 · fundraising $5,386
17 · Travel

total $14,099 · program services $9,822 · management and general $3,578 · fundraising $699
19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

total $13,060 · program services $13,060
22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

total $53,765 · program services $32,757 · management and general $16,169 · fundraising $4,839
23 · Insurance

total $90,951 · program services $69,589 · management and general $16,851 · fundraising $4,511
24a · Other expenses: EQUIPMENT RENTAL, REPAI

total $119,973 · program services $79,979 · management and general $37,076 · fundraising $2,918
24b · Other expenses: PROPERTY TAXES

total $93,508 · program services $84,118 · management and general $7,291 · fundraising $2,099
24c · Other expenses: EDUCATION PROGRAMS

total $60,373 · program services $59,978 · management and general $395
24d · Other expenses: PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT

total $44,747 · program services $44,747
24e · All other expenses

total $96,717 · program services $62,340 · management and general $19,373 · fundraising $15,004

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

end of year $360,306
2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

beginning of year $1,054,317 · end of year $759,817
3 · Pledges and grants receivable

beginning of year $72,354 · end of year $609,078
4 · Accounts receivable

beginning of year $5,528 · end of year $1,253
9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

beginning of year $29,197 · end of year $38,510
10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

$8,604,359
10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

$581,357
10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

beginning of year $7,977,644 · end of year $8,023,002
11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

beginning of year $14,002,928 · end of year $18,129,590
15 · Other assets

beginning of year $718,250 · end of year $3,250
17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

beginning of year $88,391 · end of year $94,976
19 · Deferred revenue

beginning of year $55,500 · end of year $167,000
27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

beginning of year $13,442,461 · end of year $15,900,434
28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

beginning of year $10,273,866 · end of year $11,762,396

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

DUTCHESS LAND CONSERVANCY (DLC) IS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING THE SCENIC, AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES OF DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW YORK, AND THE SURROUNDING AREA. DLC, AS A PRIVATE NON-PROFIT LAND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION, CARRIES OUT ITS MISSION PRIMARILY BY OBTAINING CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON PRIVATELY HELD LAND AND MONITORING THESE EASEMENTS IN PERPETUITY. CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, ACQUIRED THROUGH EITHER DONATION OR PURCHASE, ARE LEGAL AGREEMENTS LIMITING FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN ORDER TO PROTECT LAND FOR CONSERVATION PURPOSES. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE TO LANDOWNERS AND MUNICIPALITIES TO ENCOURAGE ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND PLANNING, AND EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ON MATTERS OF LAND CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP. IN 2009 THE ORGANIZATION WAS AWARDED ACCREDATION STATUS BY THE LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION COMMISSION, AN INDEPENDENT PROGRAM OF THE LAND TRUST ALLIANCE. IN 2014 AND 2020, THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED ITS FIRST AND SECOND ACCREDITATION RENEWALS, RESPECTIVELY.

Activities or mission (Part I)

THE ORGANIZATION IS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING THE SCENIC, AGRICULTURAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES OF (CONTINUED) DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW YORK, AND THE SURROUNDING AREA.

LAND CONSERVATION: IN 2023, THE ORGANIZATION WORKED WITH NUMEROUS LANDOWNERS ON CONSERVATION PROJECTS COVERING MORE THAN 5,000 ACRES, AND SEVERAL CONSERVATION PLANNING PROJECTS, DEVELOPING RESOURCE MAPS, RESPONDING TO INQUIRIES ABOUT CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND LAND CONSERVATION, DOING RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS OF IMPORTANT RESOURCE LAND, AND VISITING PROPERTIES. IN 2023, SEVEN CONSERVATION EASEMENTS WERE COMPLETED PROTECTING 543 ACRES WHICH BROUGHT THE ORGANIZATION'S TOTAL LAND PROTECTED TO APPROXIMATELY 46,500 ACRES. PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS - THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED ITS WORK WITH SEVERAL FARMERS ON PDR PROJECTS IN MANY DUTCHESS COUNTY TOWNS. MUNICIPAL CONSERVATION AREAS - THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION'S MUNICIPAL CONSERVATION AREA ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, A PROGRAM TO HELP TOWNS ACQUIRE IMPORTANT RESOURCE (LAND CONSERVATION) LAND FOR PASSIVE PUBLIC USE. THE DLC CONTINUES ITS WORK WITH THE TOWN OF DOVER ON THE DOVER STONE CHURCH AND SEVEN WELLS PROPERTIES.

Expenses $757,705
STEWARDSHIP: THE ORGANIZATION HAS NOW PROTECTED 46,570 ACRES STEWARDING 442 CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. THE ORGANIZATION AERIALLY MONITORS ALL PROPERTIES ANNUALLY AND GROUND MONITORS ITS EASEMENTS ON A THREE TO FOUR YEAR ROTATIONAL BASIS. IN 2023, THE ORGANIZATION AERIALLY MONITORED ALL CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND COMPLETED 156 ON A 3-TO-4-YEAR ROTATIONAL GROUND MONITORING SCHEDULE THROUGH STAFF. THE ORGANIZATION WORKED ON NUMEROUS STEWARDSHIP MATTERS FROM PRIOR APPROVAL REQUESTS AND LAND MANAGEMENT QUESTIONS TO RESOLVING EASEMENT ISSUES. IN 2023, THE ORGANIZATION AGAIN REGISTERED FOR TERRAFIRMA, THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT DEFENSE INSURANCE PROGRAM TO ENHANCE ITS ABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY ENFORCE ITS EASEMENTS. EACH YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES RESEARCH AND LAND MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE AND WORKS TO UPDATE OLD (STEWARDSHIP) BASELINE DOCUMENTATION FILES. STAFF STRIVE TO KEEP UP TO DATE ON INTERNET SERVICES SUCH AS MICROSOFT'S MAPSLIVE.COM, GOOGLE EARTH, AND BING, WHICH PROVIDE VERY USEFUL ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND USE SATELLITE IMAGERY AS A MONITORING TOOL. THE ORGANIZATION'S STEWARDSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES CONTINUE TO INCREASE EACH YEAR AS MORE AND MORE EASEMENTS ARE ACCEPTED. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO IMPROVE THE TRACKING OF EASEMENT PROTECTED PROPERTY SALES, COMMUNICATION WITH LANDOWNERS, AND MAINTAINING A "WATCH LIST" OF EASEMENT PROTECTED LAND ON THE MARKET TO CHECK FOR NEW OWNERSHIP. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE STAFF FILES CRITICAL EASEMENT RELATED DOCUMENTS IN THE ORGANIZATION'S ARCHIVAL STORAGE UNIT IN AN OFF-SITE FACILITY TO ENSURE THE LONG-TERM SAFETY OF THE ORGANIZATION'S MOST VALUABLE DOCUMENTS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CONTINUED ITS COLLABORATION WITH THE COLUMBIA LAND CONSERVANCY (CLC) AND THE AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST'S FARMLAND FOR NEW GENERATION PROGRAM ON A FARMER LANDOWNER MATCH PROGRAM, THAT FACILITATES LEASE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN LANDOWNERS SEEKING TO HAVE THEIR LAND FARMED, AND FARMERS SEEKING LAND, AS A WAY TO KEEP LAND OPEN.

Expenses $412,956
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: EDUCATING PEOPLE ABOUT CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION. THE ORGANIZATION'S STAFF REGULARLY TALK WITH MUNICIPALITIES, SCHOOL GROUPS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND PRIVATE LANDOWNERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND PRESERVATION, SOUND PLANNING, WELL-PLANNED GROWTH THAT PROTECTS IMPORTANT RESOURCES, LAND STEWARDSHIP AND MANAGEMENT, AND WAYS TO KEEP FARMERS ON THE LAND. IN 2023, THE ORGANIZATION HOSTED AND PARTICIPATED IN 52 EDUCATION EVENTS, REACHING MORE THAN 2,500 PEOPLE. THE ORGANIZATION COLLABORATED WITH 31 ORGANIZATIONS AND HOSTED EIGHT PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATIONS' OUTREACH AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS ENGAGED OVER 137 VOLUNTEERS ON 12 VOLUNTEER EVENTS, FIVE COMMUNITY SCIENCE EVENTS, AND (EDUCATION) SEVEN COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SPACES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND IN COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVES. STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS ALSO PARTICIPATED IN AND ATTENDED NUMEROUS VIRTUAL EDUCATION EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. STAFF ATTENDED THE NATIONAL LAND TRUST RALLY (CONFERENCE), ATTENDED THE NEW YORK LAND TRUST CONSERVATION CONFERENCE, NUMEROUS SEMINARS, CLASSES AND WEBINARS TO INCREASE KNOWLEDGE, PARTICIPATED ON NUMEROUS COMMITTEES AND BOARDS (NATIONAL, STATE, REGIONAL, AND LOCAL) AND ATTENDED VARIOUS GATHERINGS TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE ENVIRONMENT, LAND CONSERVATION, AND THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK. THE ORGANIZATION'S PRESIDENT CONTINUES TO SERVE ON THE LAND TRUST ALLIANCE NY ADVISORY COUNCIL AND THE NATIONAL LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION COMMISSION.

Expenses $592,505

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

REBECCA THORNTON

PRESIDENT

Total calculated

$202,641

From this org

$186,610

From related orgs

$0

Other

$16,031

Hours/week

40

Schedule J breakdown matched by us

Base

$186,610

Bonus

$0

Other

$0

Deferred

$5,790

Nontaxable benefits

$10,241

Filer's total

$202,641
TIMOTHY MAYHEW

CHAIRMAN

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

4
CHRISTOPHER L MANN

VICE CHAIRMAN

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

3
OAKLEIGH THORNE

CO-VICE CHAIRMAN

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

3
OLIVIA VAN MELLE KAMP

SECRETARY

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

3
NANCY N HATHAWAY

TREASURER

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

3
STEVEN BENARDETE

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
NICK BIENSTOCK

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
TIMOTHY M BONTECOU

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
HANNAH BUCHAN

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
SARAH LYONS CHASE

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
PETER COON

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
WOLCOTT DUNHAM

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
LESLIE FARHANGI

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
PATRICIA FARMAN-FARMAIAN

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
THOMAS FLEXNER

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
THOMAS W KEESEE

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
FERNANDA KELLOGG

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
BRAD KENDALL

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
THOMAS NEWBERRY

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
TERRY REGAN

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
ERIC W ROBERTS

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
REBECCA SEAMAN

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
DAVID R STACK

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
PETER TCHEREPNINE

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
LISELOTTE VINCE

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
KATHLEEN C WEATHERS

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
FRED WHITRIDGE JR

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
ROSS WILLIAMS

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

3 · Compensation committee
3 · Form 990 of other organizations
3 · Compensation survey or study
3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
7 · Other non-fixed payments
8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type: form_990
Tax year: 2023
Filed: 30 July 2024
IRS schema version: 2023v5.1
Source object: 202432139349300733

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