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Nonprofiteer
← GROUNDSWELL CONSERVANCY INC

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by GROUNDSWELL CONSERVANCY INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$1,407,121
Total expenses
$1,216,416
Contributions and grants received
$1,330,948
Grants paid
$136,181
Program service revenue
$17,443
Investment income
$48,260
Other revenue
$10,470
Total assets, end of year
$10,935,352
Total liabilities, end of year
$288,609
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$10,646,743
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$867,892
Management and general expenses
$180,889
Fundraising expenses
$167,635
Program service expenses (Part III)
$867,892

Program services were 71.3% 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

    $600

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $372,089

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $958,259

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $92,250

  • 2a · Program service revenue: RENTAL INCOME

    total $12,943 · related or exempt $12,943

  • 2b · Program service revenue: SERVICE FEES

    total $4,500 · related or exempt $4,500

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $48,260 · excluded $48,260

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $12,010

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $600

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $5,035

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $6,975 · excluded $6,975

  • 11d · All other revenue

    total $3,495 · excluded $3,495

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $3,495

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $136,181 · program services $136,181

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $104,834 · program services $68,142 · management and general $20,967 · fundraising $15,725

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $474,992 · program services $310,406 · management and general $55,794 · fundraising $108,792

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $8,545 · program services $5,579 · management and general $1,131 · fundraising $1,835

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $27,395 · program services $17,885 · management and general $3,627 · fundraising $5,883

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $46,235 · program services $30,185 · management and general $6,121 · fundraising $9,929

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $24,601 · program services $24,601

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $24,307 · management and general $24,307

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $2,331 · management and general $2,331

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $33,196 · program services $22,945 · management and general $10,251

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $1,418 · program services $979 · management and general $108 · fundraising $331

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $48,733 · program services $20,472 · management and general $20,049 · fundraising $8,212

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $2,109 · program services $1,457 · management and general $160 · fundraising $492

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $53,260 · program services $37,957 · management and general $3,752 · fundraising $11,551

  • 17 · Travel

    total $8,358 · program services $7,790 · management and general $249 · fundraising $319

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $31,385 · program services $19,973 · management and general $8,755 · fundraising $2,657

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $8,181 · program services $5,652 · management and general $620 · fundraising $1,909

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $14,517 · program services $5,995 · management and general $8,522

  • 24a · Other expenses: LAND MANAGEMENT

    total $149,270 · program services $149,270

  • 24b · Other expenses: EASEMENT ACQUISITION

    total $1,319 · program services $1,319

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $15,249 · program services $1,104 · management and general $14,145

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $34,816 · end of year $35,492

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $956,610 · end of year $899,031

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $114,245 · end of year $250,200

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $15,058 · end of year $11,465

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $7,898,434

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $19,432

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $7,868,529 · end of year $7,879,002

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $744,890 · end of year $839,303

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $9,780 · end of year $9,780

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $917,313 · end of year $1,011,079

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $93,513 · end of year $66,459

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $70,495 · end of year $91,928

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $194,402 · end of year $130,222

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $9,696,960 · end of year $9,731,618

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $605,871 · end of year $915,125

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

WE PROTECT SPECIAL PLACES, FOREVER.

  • CONSERVATION, OUTREACH AND EDUCATION: FOUNDED IN 1983, GROUNDSWELL CONSERVANCY CONTINUES TO HELP LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND LANDOWNERS PROTECT SPECIAL PLACES FOREVER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL WISCONSIN.GROUNDSWELL PURCHASED 20 ACRES OF WETLAND IN SOUTHERN COLUMBIA COUNTY. THIS PROPERTY ADDS LAND TO THE ANDERSON WATERFOWL PRODUCTION AREA AND PROVIDES HABITAT FOR DUCKS, GEESE, AND OTHER WILDLIFE. IT'S OPEN FOR ACTIVITIES LIKE HUNTING AND FISHING. VISITORS CAN ALSO ENJOY HIKING, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING, AND WILDLIFE OBSERVATION. GROUNDSWELL PLANS TO DONATE THE PROPERTY TO THE US FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE FOR LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT. FUNDING FOR THIS PURCHASE CAME FROM THE KNOWLES-NELSON STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM, THE NORTH AMERICAN WETLANDS CONSERVATION ACT, AND OUR GENEROUS GROUNDSWELL SUPPORTERS. WE ALSO THANK DUCKS UNLIMITED FOR THEIR HELP IN SECURING THE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THIS ACQUISITION. GROUNDSWELL HOLDS AND MONITORS MORE THAN 80 CONSERVATION EASEMENTS EVERY YEAR TO ENSURE THEIR CONSERVATION VALUES ARE UPHELD.GROUNDSWELL SUPPORTERS AND THE PUBLIC ENJOYED NATURE EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING A BIRDING FOR FAMILIES OUTING WITH THE BIPOC BIRDING CLUB, A HIKE AT HAUGE HISTORIC DISTRICT PARK, A BONFIRE AND CANDLELIT HIKE AT PATRICK MARSH, A TOUR OF FOUR OAKS FARM, WATERFOWL VIEWING AT CHEROKEE MARSH, AND OUR ANNUAL BLACK HAWK RIDGE TRAIL RUN. WE ALSO HOSTED A 40TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY FOR OUR FOUNDERS PLUS CURRENT AND PAST BOARD MEMBERS, WHOSE INSPIRING LEADERSHIP MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN LOCAL LAND PROTECTION THESE PAST 40 YEARS!AT WESTPORT PRAIRIE, OUR DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS AND WAUNAKEE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ADDED ANOTHER 6.5 ACRES OF PRAIRIE HABITAT. THE SEED HAD BEEN COLLECTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AT WESTPORT PRAIRIE BY VOLUNTEERS AND OUR CONTRACTED SEED COLLECTOR, KAYLEE NELSEN. WE ALSO BOUGHT A BRAND-NEW TRACTOR AND MOWER IN THE SUMMER OF 2023 TO HELP US MANAGE OUR EVER-GROWING PRAIRIE. WE'RE GRATEFUL TO THE JUST OVER TWO DOZEN GROUNDSWELL SUPPORTERS WHO MADE THESE PURCHASES POSSIBLE. AT PATRICK MARSH AND WESTPORT PRAIRIE WE OFFERED MONTHLY OUTDOOR VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP RESTORE AND CARE FOR OUR LOCAL NATURAL LANDSCAPES. VOLUNTEERS CUT BRUSH, COLLECTED PRAIRIE SEEDS, PULLED INVASIVE WEEDS, BURNED BRUSH, AND MORE.OUR 2023 SUMMER ECOLOGY INTERN PROGRAM, CALLED THE PRAIRIE PARTNERS, IMPROVED WILDLIFE HABITAT AT BOTH WESTPORT PRAIRIE AND PATRICK MARSH, GAINING VALUABLE WORK EXPERIENCE ABOUT MANAGING NATURAL AREAS.GROUNDSWELL OWNS TWO COMMUNITY FARMS THAT PROMOTE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO LAND FOR NEXT-GENERATION FARMERS: WESTPORT FARM IN WAUNAKEE AND PASLEY'S SWAN CREEK FARM IN FITCHBURG. AT WESTPORT FARM IS OUR LIFTING HEARTS THERAPY GARDEN, A PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN HEALING CENTER. HMOOB (HMONG) ELDERS FIND SOLACE GARDENING HERE. IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GARDEN (RAISED BEDS) AND THE FARM ARE THANKS TO MANY GROUNDSWELL SUPPORTERS. AT PASLEY'S SWAN CREEK FARM WE INSTALLED A WELL, TO PROVIDE NON-CHLORINATED WATER, WHICH IS PREFERRED FOR FARMING. WE LEASE THE FARMLAND TO NEIGHBORHOOD FOOD SOLUTIONS, A LOCAL NONPROFIT LED BY ROBERT PIERCE.GROUNDSWELL CONTINUED TO PROVIDE OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HMOOB (HMONG) FARMERS TO CONNECT THEM WITH USDA PROGRAMS AND OTHER RESOURCES. THIS WORK IS POSSIBLE THANKS TO THE OUTREACH AND ASSISTANCE FOR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED FARMERS AND RANCHERS AND VETERAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS (2501) PROGRAM GRANT, FUNDED BY THE USDA OFFICE OF PARTNERSHIPS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT. THE IS A 3-YEAR GRANT RUNNING THROUGH THE FALL OF 2025. THIS GRANT IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UW-MADISON DIVISION OF EXTENSION AND FAIRSHARE CSA COALITION.GROUNDSWELL CONSERVANCY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1983 AND HAS PERMANENTLY PROTECTED NEARLY 14,000 ACRES OF IMPORTANT LAND AND WATER IN SOUTH-CENTRAL WI. GROUNDSWELL IS ACCREDITED BY THE LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION COMMISSION.

    Expenses $867,892 · Grants $136,181 · Revenue $17,443

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

Listed in Part VII

  • Tracy Wiklund

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Alexandria Baker

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Alton Multhauf

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Greg Hyer

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Anne Mh Brindley

    DIRECTOR (THRU AUGUST)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Curt Bjurlin

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Matt Frank

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Lizzie Condon

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Susan Hoffman

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Rodee Schneider

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Veronica Rueckert

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Stacy Rhone

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Todd Shucha

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Sara Walling

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Forrest Woolworth

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Angela West Blank

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $99,849
    From this org
    $88,728
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,121
    Hours/week
    40

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.

Grants on this return

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
12 May 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202511339349304421

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