Form 990 for tax year 2025

Filed by DUTCHESS LAND CONSERVANCY INC.

Totals

Total revenue: $5,235,632
Total expenses: $3,033,949
Contributions and grants received: $4,473,135
Grants paid: $0
Program service revenue: $0
Investment income: $825,547
Other revenue: -$63,050
Total assets, end of year: $35,262,488
Total liabilities, end of year: $125,798
Net assets or fund balances, end of year: $35,136,690
Program services expenses (Part IX): $2,442,803
Management and general expenses: $347,373
Fundraising expenses: $243,773
Program service expenses (Part III): $2,442,803

Program services were 80.5% 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

$480,177
1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

$3,992,958
1g · Noncash contributions included above

$36,838
3 · Investment income

total $450,320 · excluded $450,320
7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

securities $5,628,205 · other assets $13,762
7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

securities $5,243,740 · other assets $23,000
7c · Gain or loss

securities $384,465 · other assets -$9,238
7d · Net gain or loss

total $375,227 · excluded $375,227
8a · Fundraising events: gross income

$44,369
8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

$480,177
8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

$120,206
8c · Net income from fundraising events

total -$75,837 · excluded -$75,837
11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS

total $12,787 · related or exempt $12,787
11e · Other revenue, total

$12,787

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

total $210,245 · program services $180,811 · management and general $14,717 · fundraising $14,717
7 · Other salaries and wages

total $1,024,198 · program services $789,210 · management and general $160,462 · fundraising $74,526
8 · Pension plan contributions

total $34,665 · program services $26,733 · management and general $5,255 · fundraising $2,677
9 · Other employee benefits

total $94,673 · program services $79,394 · management and general $9,836 · fundraising $5,443
10 · Payroll taxes

total $90,896 · program services $71,183 · management and general $13,185 · fundraising $6,528
11b · Fees: legal

total $32,970 · program services $29,561 · management and general $3,409
11c · Fees: accounting

total $32,850 · management and general $32,850
11g · Fees: other

total $101,794 · program services $99,947 · fundraising $1,847
12 · Advertising and promotion

total $46,608 · fundraising $46,608
13 · Office expenses

total $17,524 · program services $10,108 · management and general $6,710 · fundraising $706
14 · Information technology

total $62,628 · program services $46,579 · management and general $8,663 · fundraising $7,386
16 · Occupancy

total $68,437 · program services $40,351 · management and general $22,115 · fundraising $5,971
17 · Travel

total $17,069 · program services $11,230 · management and general $3,679 · fundraising $2,160
19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

total $8,866 · program services $8,110 · management and general $378 · fundraising $378
22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

total $106,253 · program services $84,324 · management and general $16,995 · fundraising $4,934
23 · Insurance

total $114,881 · program services $86,750 · management and general $21,802 · fundraising $6,329
24a · Other expenses: PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT

total $681,048 · program services $681,048
24b · Other expenses: EQUIPMENT RENTAL, REPAI

total $77,634 · program services $56,922 · management and general $17,787 · fundraising $2,925
24c · Other expenses: PROPERTY TAXES

total $49,455 · program services $46,255 · management and general $2,480 · fundraising $720
24d · Other expenses: EDUCATION PROGRAMS

total $46,324 · program services $10,960 · fundraising $35,364
24e · All other expenses

total $114,931 · program services $83,327 · management and general $7,050 · fundraising $24,554

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

beginning of year $517,183 · end of year $732,901
2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

beginning of year $257,295 · end of year $107,778
3 · Pledges and grants receivable

beginning of year $328,706 · end of year $1,237,673
4 · Accounts receivable

beginning of year $1,753 · end of year $7,753
9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

beginning of year $36,516 · end of year $39,779
10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

$9,467,534
10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

$742,443
10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

beginning of year $8,125,732 · end of year $8,725,091
11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

beginning of year $22,105,147 · end of year $24,296,563
15 · Other assets

beginning of year $109,950 · end of year $114,950
17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

beginning of year $53,413 · end of year $78,063
19 · Deferred revenue

beginning of year $101,400 · end of year $47,735
27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

beginning of year $17,907,950 · end of year $20,511,859
28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

beginning of year $13,419,519 · end of year $14,624,831

Mission and programs · 2025

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 DONATION OR PURCHASE, ARE LEGAL AGREEMENTS LIMITING FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN ORDER TO PROTECT LAND FOR CONSERVATION PURPOSES. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE AND EDUCATION TO LANDOWNERS, MUNICIPALITIES, AND THE PUBLIC, TO ENCOURAGE ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND PLANNING, AND ON MATTERS OF LAND CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP. IN 2009 THE ORGANIZATION WAS AWARDED ACCREDITATION STATUS BY THE LAND TRUST ACCREDITATION COMMISSION, AN INDEPENDENT PROGRAM OF THE LAND TRUST ALLIANCE. IN 2014, 2020, AND 2025 THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED ITS FIRST, SECOND, AND THIRD ACCREDITATION RENEWALS.

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 2025, 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 2025, SEVEN CONSERVATION EASEMENTS WERE COMPLETED PROTECTING 995 ACRES WHICH BROUGHT THE ORGANIZATION'S TOTAL LAND PROTECTED TO APPROXIMATELY 48,400 ACRES. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED ITS WORK WITH SEVERAL FARMERS ON PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS (PDR) PROJECTS IN MANY DUTCHESS COUNTY TOWNS. THE ORGANIZATION OWNS AND MANAGES THE JESSE AND GAYLE BONTECOU WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PRESERVE WHICH SERVES AS A WILDLIFE SANTUARY, WORKING FARM, AND HAS (LAND CONSERVATION) TRAILS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION'S MUNICIPAL CONSERVATION AREA ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, A PROGRAM TO HELP TOWNS ACQUIRE IMPORTANT RESOURCE 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 $1,291,448
STEWARDSHIP: THE ORGANIZATION HAS NOW PROTECTED 48,400 ACRES STEWARDING 457 CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. THE ORGANIZATION MONITORS ALL PROPERTIES ANNUALLY, A MAJORITY BY AERIAL OVERFLIGHT, AND GROUND MONITORS ITS EASEMENTS ON A THREE TO FOUR YEAR ROTATIONAL BASIS. IN 2025, THE ORGANIZATION MONITORED ALL CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, A MAJORITY BY AIR, AND COMPLETED 143 ON A 3-TO-4-YEAR ROTATIONAL GROUND MONITORING SCHEDULE THROUGH STAFF SITE VISITS. THE ORGANIZATION WORKED ON NUMEROUS STEWARDSHIP MATTERS FROM PRIOR APPROVAL REQUESTS AND LAND MANAGEMENT QUESTIONS TO RESOLVING EASEMENT ISSUES. IN 2025, 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 (STEWARDSHIP) ASSISTANCE. STAFF STRIVE TO KEEP UP TO DATE ON ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE USE OF 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 $565,492
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 2025, THE ORGANIZATION HOSTED AND PARTICIPATED IN 53 EDUCATION EVENTS, REACHING MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE. THE ORGANIZATION COLLABORATED WITH 32 ORGANIZATIONS. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATIONS' OUTREACH AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS ENGAGED OVER 205 VOLUNTEERS ON 11 VOLUNTEER EVENTS, 4 COMMUNITY SCIENCE EVENTS, AND 9 COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SPACES IN THEIR (EDUCATION) 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 $585,863

As filed on the 2025 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

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 F BUCHAN

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
PETER COON

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
WOLCOTT B DUNHAM JR

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 M KELLOGG

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

1
BRAD KENDALL

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
THOMAS L 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 M 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
JOHN-LANSING J TEAL

DIRECTOR

Total calculated

$0

Hours/week

2
REBECCA THORNTON

PRESIDENT

Total calculated

$221,318

From this org

$210,245

From related orgs

$0

Other

$11,073

Hours/week

40

Schedule J breakdown matched by us

Base

$210,245

Bonus

$0

Other

$0

Deferred

$6,323

Nontaxable benefits

$4,750

Filer's total

$221,318

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: 2025
IRS schema version: 2025v4.2
Source object: 202612169349301661

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