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Nonprofiteer
← ST SIMONS LAND TRUST

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by ST SIMONS LAND TRUST.

Totals

Total revenue
$8,059,550
Total expenses
$1,160,402
Contributions and grants received
$7,703,262
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$290,761
Other revenue
$65,527
Total assets, end of year
$69,725,424
Total liabilities, end of year
$204,839
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$69,520,585
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$572,128
Management and general expenses
$277,578
Fundraising expenses
$310,696
Program service expenses (Part III)
$572,128

Program services were 49.3% 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.

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $7,703,262

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $300,612

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $290,666 · excluded $290,666

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $61,871

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

    securities $61,776

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $95

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $95 · excluded $95

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $101,470

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $45,370

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $56,100 · excluded $56,100

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $4,671

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $2,289

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $2,382 · related or exempt $2,382

  • 11a · Other revenue: CREDIT CARD PROCESSING

    total $7,045 · related or exempt $7,045

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $7,045

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $586,466 · program services $246,316 · management and general $117,293 · fundraising $222,857

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $10,543 · program services $5,166 · management and general $2,530 · fundraising $2,847

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $28,663 · program services $17,484 · management and general $5,446 · fundraising $5,733

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $44,914 · program services $18,864 · management and general $8,983 · fundraising $17,067

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $3,792 · program services $3,451 · management and general $341

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $41,210 · program services $4,121 · management and general $37,089

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $7,937 · program services $159 · fundraising $7,778

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $66,046 · program services $3,963 · management and general $36,986 · fundraising $25,097

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $13,536 · program services $7,716 · management and general $5,820

  • 17 · Travel

    total $986 · program services $276 · management and general $523 · fundraising $187

  • 20 · Interest

    total $19,983 · program services $19,983

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $51,326 · program services $29,769 · management and general $21,557

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $44,615 · program services $26,323 · management and general $18,292

  • 24a · Other expenses: STEWARDSHIP

    total $112,222 · program services $112,222

  • 24b · Other expenses: PROJECT EXPENSES

    total $58,554 · program services $57,383 · fundraising $1,171

  • 24c · Other expenses: OTHER EXPENSE

    total $51,802 · program services $18,932 · management and general $22,718 · fundraising $10,152

  • 24d · Other expenses: EVENTS

    total $17,807 · fundraising $17,807

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $5,093,087 · end of year $8,865,046

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $539,219 · end of year $1,655,303

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $35,000 · end of year $20,280

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $5,907 · end of year $11,569

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

    $1,629,342

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

    $306,616

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $1,328,498 · end of year $1,322,726

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $1,319,801 · end of year $239,063

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $56,207,492 · end of year $57,611,437

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $59,410 · end of year $60,709

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $100,690 · end of year $144,130

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $1,828,736 · end of year $0

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $52,605,661 · end of year $61,711,097

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $9,934,507 · end of year $7,809,488

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

THE ST. SIMONS LAND TRUST WAS FOUNDED IN 2000 TO CONSERVE UNDEVELOPED LAND AND ICONIC PROPERTIES THAT HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL, RECREATIONAL, SCENIC, HISTORIC, OR EDUCATIONAL VALUE AND THAT ENSURE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) IT FULFILLS THIS MISSION THROUGH: 1) LAND PROTECTION, 2) LAND MANAGEMENT, AND 3) EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO PRESERVE THE NATURAL AND SCENIC CHARACTER OF ST SIMONS ISLAND

  • IN SEPTEMBER 2012, THE LAND TRUST ACQUIRED A 608-ACRE TRACT OF LAND ON THE NORTH-END OF ST. SIMONS ISLAND FEATURING MATURE MARITIME FOREST, SIX MILES OF MARSH SHORE LINE INCLUDING DEEP WATER FRONTAGE, AND UNIQUE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY IMPORTANT HABITAT FOR NATIVE PLANTS, WILDLIFE, AND MIGRATORY BIRDS. CANNON'S POINT PRESERVE IS NOW A MODEL OF COASTAL ECOLOGY, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, AND A PLATFORM FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.IN 2016, THE LAND TRUST BEGAN WORKING ON INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO CANNON'S POINT, INCLUDING ADDED FEATURES FOR VISITORS SUCH AS RESTROOMS, AN EDUCATION PAVILION, AND A COASTAL ECOLOGY LAB. THE VISION OF THE LAND TRUST IS TO PROTECT AND CONSERVE LAND ON ST. SIMONS ISLAND THAT IS MOST VULNERABLE TO HIGH-DENSITY (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) DEVELOPMENT AND TO PRESERVE THAT LAND IN PERPETUITY.IN AUGUST 2015, THE TRUST REACHED AN AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE THREE PARCELS OF LAND CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 260 ACRES THAT WAS PART OF THE FORMER MUSGROVE PLANTATION (NOW KNOWN AS GUALE PRESERVE). THE PLAN INCLUDED PURCHASING THE PARCELS IN THREE PHASES OVER THREE YEARS WITH FUNDING COMING FROM A COMBINATION OF INDIVIDUAL DONORS, PRIVATE AND PUBLIC FOUNDATIONS, AND GOVERNMENT GRANTS. ON MAY 17, 2016, THE TRUST COMPLETED THE PURCHASE OF GUALE PRESERVE PHASE I, CONSISTING OF 58.4 ACRES. ON FEBRUARY 14, 2017, THE TRUST COMPLETED THE PURCHASE OF PHASE II CONSISTING OF 90.225 ACRES. PHASE III CLOSED IN 2018 CONSISTING OF 109.2 ACRES. GUALE PRESERVE IS NOW AN IMPORTANT PROTECTED PROPERTY THAT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AND LOW-IMPACT RECREATIONAL USE INCLUDING HIKING, RUNNING, BIKING, BIRDING. THE PRESERVE INCLUDES A MILE-AND-A-HALF LOOP KNOWN AS POLLY'S TRAIL ON PHASE II AND A QUARTER-MILE HIKING PATH KNOWN AS JANET'S TRAIL ON PHASE I. PHASE I ALSO INCLUDES A FAMILY PICNIC AND EDUCATIONAL BUILDING AND A BOAT RAMP THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR KAYAKERS, CANOEISTS, AND FISHERS USING MOTORIZED BOATS NO LONGER THAN 20 FEET IN LENGTH. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR LAUNCHING OF MOTORIZED BOATS. A THIRD HIKING TRAIL IS PLANNED FOR PHASE III.IN 2018, THE TRUST BEGAN AN INITIATIVE CALLED THE CANOPY CAMPAIGN, WHICH WAS ENVISIONED TO INCLUDE TWO TO FOUR PHASES. IT IS AN OVERARCHING STRATEGY TO PRESERVE ST. SIMONS FROM NORTH TO SOUTH THROUGH THE ACQUISITION AND CONSERVATION OF PROPERTIES WITH GREATEST ENVIRONMENTAL AND CULTURAL VALUES AND THAT ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO DEVELOPMENT.IN 2020, THE TRUST PURCHASED 3.059 ACRES OF GREEN SPACE ON KINGS WAY ON ST SIMONS ISLAND. THE TRUST ALSO SOLD A 20.85 ACRE PARCEL AT FREDERICA NORTH MARSH ON ST SIMONS ISLAND TO THE NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE.IN 2021, THE TRUST PURCHASED A 38.5 ACRE TRACT KNOW AS THE SINCLAIR TRACT. IN ADDITION, THE TRUST PURCHASED A THIRD OATLAND PROPERTY WITH 40.7 ACRES.IN 2023, THE TRUST OPENED A DOG FREINDLY NATURE TRAIL ON THE OATLAND PROPERTY PURCHASED IN 2021. THE TRUST PURCHASED A 10 ACRE TRACT KNOW AS THE GATEWAY PROPERTY WHICH HAD AN EXISTING PUBLIC WALKING TRIAL. THE ANCIENT DUNE TRAIL, THE THIRD HIKING TRAIL, ON THE GUALE PRESERVE PHASE III WAS COMPLETED.

    Expenses $572,128

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

Listed in Part VII

  • Jim Barger Jr

    CHAIRMAN

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Susan Shipman

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Mary Jenrette

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Vijay Singh

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Dialo Cartwright

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Scott Coleman

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Beth Holder

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Jonathan Weller

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Bob Sattelmeyer

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Shelley Renner

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Nancy Dorn

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • David Wright

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Brad Piazza

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Dr Valerie Hepburn

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Emily Ellison

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $152,095
    From this org
    $152,095
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $152,095
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $152,095

  • Susan Tuttle

    FINANCE AND OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $103,167
    From this org
    $103,167
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Hours/week
    40

  • Lori Lewis

    DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $100,500
    From this org
    $100,500
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $0
    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. 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

None.

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.

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Disregarded entities

Part I: entities that legally are the filer and file no return of their own.

  • CANNON'S POINT PRESERVE LLC

    OWNERSHIP & MAINTENANCE OF CANNON'S POINT PROPERTY · GA · assets $24,116,074

    Directly controlled by ST SIMONS LAND TRUST INC

  • CD PRESERVE LLC

    OWNERSHIP OF CD PRESERVE PROPERTY · GA · assets $67,061

    Directly controlled by ST SIMONS LAND TRUST INC

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
13 November 2024
IRS schema version
2023v5.1
Source object
202423199349300632

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