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Nonprofiteer
← OPENLANDS

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by OPENLANDS.

Totals

Total revenue
$11,496,900
Total expenses
$7,659,942
Contributions and grants received
$10,589,565
Grants paid
$325,938
Program service revenue
$149,982
Investment income
$863,088
Other revenue
-$105,735
Total assets, end of year
$43,306,045
Total liabilities, end of year
$2,261,840
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$41,044,205
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$5,658,756
Management and general expenses
$1,378,550
Fundraising expenses
$622,636
Program service expenses (Part III)
$5,658,756

Program services were 73.9% 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

    $319,931

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $1,880,093

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $8,389,541

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $1,028,974

  • 2a · Program service revenue: REAL ESTATE ACQUISITION

    total $149,982 · related or exempt $149,982

  • 2f · All other program service revenue

    total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $848,464 · excluded $848,464

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $24,250

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $24,250 · personal property $0

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $24,250 · related or exempt $24,250

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $1,262,077 · other assets $1,945,379

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $1,262,158 · other assets $1,930,674

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$81 · other assets $14,705

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $14,624 · related or exempt $14,705 · excluded -$81

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $54,881

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

    $319,931

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $184,866

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$129,985 · excluded -$129,985

  • 11d · All other revenue

    total $0 · related or exempt $0 · unrelated business $0 · excluded $0

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $0

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $325,938 · program services $325,938

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $473,266 · program services $210,323 · management and general $167,656 · fundraising $95,287

  • 6 · Compensation of disqualified persons

    total $0 · program services $0 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $2,856,398 · program services $2,046,037 · management and general $481,591 · fundraising $328,770

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $75,988 · program services $55,718 · management and general $15,470 · fundraising $4,800

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $357,482 · program services $278,969 · management and general $52,095 · fundraising $26,418

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $228,884 · program services $164,665 · management and general $38,429 · fundraising $25,790

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $27,213 · program services $27,213

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $51,868 · management and general $51,868

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $27,608 · management and general $27,608

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $709,345 · program services $346,309 · management and general $347,820 · fundraising $15,216

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $47,133 · program services $36,842 · management and general $4,672 · fundraising $5,619

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $100,576 · program services $71,063 · management and general $15,872 · fundraising $13,641

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $437,236 · program services $368,094 · management and general $16,151 · fundraising $52,991

  • 17 · Travel

    total $18,029 · program services $15,392 · management and general $1,524 · fundraising $1,113

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $80,859 · program services $47,320 · management and general $17,815 · fundraising $15,724

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $31,903 · program services $27,448 · management and general $2,518 · fundraising $1,937

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $78,673 · program services $24,796 · management and general $53,877

  • 24a · Other expenses: Impairment Reserve Expense

    total $660,000 · program services $660,000

  • 24b · Other expenses: Landscape & Materials

    total $623,147 · program services $623,147

  • 24c · Other expenses: Dues and Subscriptions

    total $61,232 · program services $45,421 · management and general $6,602 · fundraising $9,209

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $387,164 · program services $284,061 · management and general $76,982 · fundraising $26,121

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $9,117,531 · end of year $15,851,651

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $4,955,477 · end of year $2,614,132

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $247,256 · end of year $655,267

  • 5 · Loans and receivables from officers and key people

    end of year $0

  • 6 · Loans and receivables from disqualified persons

    end of year $0

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    beginning of year $150,000 · end of year $150,000

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $271,527 · end of year $292,618

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

    $7,001,606

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

    $391,266

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $7,988,002 · end of year $6,610,340

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $10,656,211 · end of year $12,273,316

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $0

  • 13 · Investments: program-related

    beginning of year $0

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $5,111,133 · end of year $4,858,721

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $368,798 · end of year $401,503

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $335,192 · end of year $341,462

  • 22 · Loans and payables to officers and key people

    end of year $0

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $1,945,145 · end of year $1,518,875

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $5,819,282 · end of year $8,990,885

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $30,028,720 · end of year $32,053,320

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

OPENLANDS PROTECTS THE NATURAL AND OPEN SPACES OF NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS AND THE SURROUNDING REGION TO ENSURE CLEANER AIR AND WATER, PROTECT NATURAL HABITATS AND WILDLIFE, AND HELP BALANCE AND ENRICH OUR LIVES.

  • Forestry and Community Engagement - Openlands Forestry programming supports the planting of trees with community residents on public land and educates residents in the care and advocacy around the urban forest. In FY 25, Openlands planted 1,3158 trees. Through the Openlands TreeKeeper Certification Course, community residents gain the knowledge and skills needed to care for, protect, and advocate for trees. In FY25 trained 123 individuals. TreeKeepers participated in 255 volunteer events, resulting in 4,446 trees pruned and 1,362 trees inventoried.

    Expenses $2,247,528 · Grants $5,000 · Revenue $157,417

  • Restoration and Greenways - Openlands works to return the Chicago Region to a healthy state for nature, wildlife, and people. We work with diverse partners to accomplish ecological restoration goals that ensure resilient and biodiverse ecosystems for years to come.In 2025: we continued phase 1 of a 1,500 acre grassland bird restoration project in the Grant Creek Watershed at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.

    Expenses $1,296,856 · Grants $320,938

  • Land Preservation - As Chicago's regional land trust, Openlands connects and energizes the region through strategic collaboration and local partnerships that protect land, water, and wildlife. In 2025, Openlands acquired and transferred land holdings to regional partners in and around the metro Chicago area. The Lands In Harmony program allowed over 70 private landowners to learn about sustainable land management for their properties

    Expenses $1,283,137 · Revenue $7,980

  • Policy - In the City of Chicago, Openlands has been actively engaged with the Urban Forestry Advisory Board and also published a policy report calling for an update of the Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection Ordinance. Regionally, Openlands celebrated the passage of successful ballot measures in DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry Counties that will generate $669 million in new funding to support their forest preserves and conservation district over the next 20 years. In state government, Openlands advocated for legislation that upholds our values and mission. Openlands was instrumental in the passage of a new state law to strengthen protections for township open space districts. Federally, Openlands advocated for the Forest Conservation Easement Program, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.

    Expenses $434,588

  • Other Programs

    Expenses $396,647 · Revenue $23,540

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Alan Bell

    Secretary

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • Glenn Reed

    Vice-Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • James Rachlin

    Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • Joann Seagren

    Chair

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • Alexa Rice

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Anne Tucker

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Bill Clarkin

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Carey Roberts

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Carrie McNally

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Chris Wu

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Daisy Feidt

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Daniel Lauderback

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Douglas Voigt

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Garrett Dee

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • George Davis

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jill Allread

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jonathan Copulsky

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Joseph Russo

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kerl Lajeune

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Laura Rosenkranz

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Lynn Buhl

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Martina Keller

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Matt Dobry

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Nicole Williams

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Patrick Hanley

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Raed Mansour

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Sachin Master

    Director

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Daniella Pereira

    COO

    Total calculated
    $174,733
    From this org
    $157,829
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $16,904
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $157,829
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,904
    Filer's total
    $174,733

  • Michael Davidson

    President and CEO

    Total calculated
    $246,535
    From this org
    $232,538
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,997
    Hours/week
    35

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $232,538
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,997
    Filer's total
    $246,535

  • Emily Reusswig

    VP of Policy and Land Preservation

    Total calculated
    $148,196
    From this org
    $133,027
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,169
    Hours/week
    35

  • Monica Jirak

    Director of Development

    Total calculated
    $110,374
    From this org
    $100,865
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,509
    Hours/week
    35

  • Paul Spector

    Director of Finance

    Total calculated
    $123,003
    From this org
    $111,476
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,527
    Hours/week
    35

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 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

  • The Wetlands Initiative

    $165,341

    Subgrant to The Wetlands Initiative for wetland restoration at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

  • Origin Woods Restoration

    $10,000

    ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - Origin Woods Restoration

  • Friends of the Woodstock Public Library

    $10,000

    ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - Prairie Roots: Planting Connections at the Woodstock Public Library

  • Logan Square Preservation

    $10,000

    ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - Emil Biorn Community Garden and Memorial Park

  • DeKalb County Regional Office Of Education

    $10,000

    ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - The Basics Toddler Gardens

  • The Conservation Foundation

    $10,000

    ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - Dixie Briggs Fromm Prairie Restoration Project

  • The Theosophical Society in America

    $10,000

    ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - Nurturing a Local Arboretum in a Time of Climate Change and Species Loss

  • NeighborSpace

    $10,000

    ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - La Esquinita Community Garden

  • Kendall County Forest Preserve District

    $10,000

    ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - KCFPD Connecting Trail Corridors (Hoover, Subat and Fox River Bluffs Forest Preserve) Pollinator Habitat Enhancement Project

  • Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

    $10,000

    ComEd Green Region 2025 Grant - New greenhouse for native seed collection and distribution in DuPage forest preserves, preserving pollinator habitat

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
26 June 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.1
Source object
202601779349301405

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