Form 990 for tax year 2025

Totals

Total revenue

$780,490

Total expenses

$286,616

Contributions and grants received

$617,161

Grants paid

$0

Program service revenue

$59,800

Investment income

$46,986

Other revenue

$56,543

Total assets, end of year

$7,488,391

Total liabilities, end of year

$0

Net assets or fund balances, end of year

$7,488,391

Program services expenses (Part IX)

$213,296

Management and general expenses

$37,678

Fundraising expenses

$35,642

Program service expenses (Part III)

$213,296

Program services were 74.4% 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.

Mission and programs · 2025

• Habitat Restoration Program:Bird City San Antonio Partner OrganizationHeadwaters habitat restoration work continued to support Bird City San Antonio certification requirements. Headwaters shared habitat restoration progress with Bexar Audubon South Central Texas representatives throughout the year. Headwaters is pleased to partner in this far-reaching effort to protect and improve native habitat in the San Antonio area. Sanctuary Habitat ProgramsOur programs strive to improve habitat conditions - to promote wildlife diversity, increase Sanctuary carrying capacity for wildlife, and provide a more pleasurable visitor experience. Prolonged drought and summer nighttime temperatures above 85 degrees continue to stress our native trees, especially our Hackberry population, which provides an important food source for birds. While Hackberry trees suffer, Retama, Anacua, Bluewood Condalia, Lotebush, and Gum Bumelia species thrive.Invasive Plant Management Program: Invasive plant species threaten the Sanctuary habitat by competing with essential native trees and suppressing understory species, needed for local and migratory wildlife sustenance and shelter. In 2025, Headwaters removed over 17,143 invasive plants, bringing the total removed since fall 2019 to 150,165. By years end, Headwaters will have worked 67% of the Sanctuary (31.9 acres). In 2026, planned removal work on an additional 6.8 acres will deliver 80% of the Sanctuary initially cleared of invasive plants. Volunteers and Headwaters staff execute this multi-year program with limited assistance from hired tree crews as funds are available.Forest Floor Restoration Project: Additional native grass and forb seed broadcasts on the forest floor have created a more robust native seed bank, enabling it to better compete with invasive seeds. Pedestrians may view Inland Sea Oats and Wildrye grasses filling exposed areas. Native grasses and forbs support insects, birds, and small mammals by providing foraging materials, food sources, and host plants. With greater native plant coverage, we reduce erosion, increase carbon sequestration, and improve soil health. Native Prairie Program: The Upper Field 2-acre native grass prairie was seeded with 13 grass species one year ago. The area will remain fenced to protect the young grass plants from curious visitors until fully established. Providing food and nesting materials for wildlife, the prairie is a significant addition to our habitat corridor along the migratory flyway.The Circle of the Springs Garden: Headwaters continued to maintain the Sanctuarys 80-foot diameter Circle of the Springs Garden, composed of 16 planting beds with 43 native pollinator plant species to support local and migratory wildlife. In the first quarter, the 7-year-old drip irrigation system was upgraded. The Shrubby Boneset, Heartleaf Hibiscus, Apache Plume, Dwarf Barbados Cherry, Fall Aster, and Gulf Muhly were exceptional this year. Research Projects: Completed or in progress- Insect - North American Butterfly Association surveys, July and October 2025, volunteers; Gulf Fritillary Butterfly Study, summer 2025, University of San Diego; Leafhopper Surveys, 2025-2026, Texas A&M at San Antonio; and Insect general surveys, Fall 2025-Spring 2026, University of the Incarnate Word. Bird - Cattle Egret Vegetation Study, Summer-Fall 2025, Texas State University; 2nd Friday Bird Walk eBird reports, monthly, Bexar Audubon docents; and Sanctuary Bird Surveys, multi-year commitment, Bexar Audubon South Central Texas. Flora - Phenology study, monthly, volunteers.Water for Wildlife Project: A solar-powered wildlife water station near the native grass prairie will operate in time for the spring heat. Community donations and a gift from The Skiles Foundation funded this project.Sanctuary Multi-season Biodiversity Study: To obtain a baseline habitat and wildlife evaluation of the Sanctuary, a twelve-month biodiversity study will be performed by members of the Urban Alchemy Collective Master Plan team. The results will inform future habitat programs and projects and provide direction for future research opportunities within the Sanctuary. Several habitat funding sources provided the means to secure the study.Donated Services (In-Kind) received for 2025 amounted to $145,058.

  Expenses $174,659

• Public Access Program:Spirit Reach ProjectContemplative Path to the Sacred Blue Hole and Beyond: The project will connect the Blue Hole to the World Heritage Site Missions along the San Antonio River. The contemplative path will bring visitors from Brackenridge Park under Hildebrand Avenue through the Incarnate Word campus to the Blue Hole and the Sanctuary main entrance. The plan includes embankment stabilization, riparian restoration, and improvements to the Blue Hole site. Construction begins in summer 2026; completion anticipated in 2027. The project is funded by Bexar County, with oversight from the San Antonio River Authority. Blue Hole Marker, Texas Historical Commission: In recognition of the Blue Holes significance, a marker will be installed adjacent to the restored site.Sanctuary Master Plan: The plan will address several topics, including preservation and erosion mitigation, public access, program facilities, and visitor amenities. Urban Alchemy Collective will develop an integrated 10-year vision. The project is funded by H-E-B.Great Oak Trail Bridge Project: In early spring 2026, the Great Oak Trail will reopen. The Kronkosky Charitable Foundation funded the project to construct three pedestrian bridges along the trail.Donated Services (In-Kind) received for 2025 amounted to $14,312.

  Expenses $28,116

• Environmental Education Program: Environmental Education: During volunteer service sessions, Headwaters offered practical knowledge and guidance in land stewardship. Public response to our Sanctuary guided walks remained strong. Community and school tours included a brief introduction to the Headwaters ministry and Sanctuary, as well as an overview of our habitat programs. 2025 Guided nature walks, presentations, and tours will remain free and open to the public. Our Environmental Film Series will resume when a facility with parking is secured.Donated Services (In-Kind) received for 2025 amounted to $2,574.

  Expenses $10,521

As filed on the 2025 return.

Listed in Part VII

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

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Related organizations on this return

Schedule R Part II: tax-exempt organizations related to the filer by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

• Srs of Charity of Incarnate Word

  501(c)(3) · Roman Catholic order of Women, religious · TX

  Directly controlled by NA

• Incarnate Word Foundation

  Foundation · MO

• University of the Incarnate Word

  University · TX

• The Village at Incarnate Word

  Senior Living Facility · TX

• CHRISTUS HEALTH

  501(c)(3) · Health Care · TX

• CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health Care

  501(c)(3) · Health Care · TX

• Visitation House Ministries Inc

  501(c)(3) · Assist with needs of low income women · TX

  Directly controlled by NA

Provenance

Return type

form_990

Tax year

2025

Filed

1 September 2026

IRS schema version

2025v4.1

Source object

202622449349301772

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