Form 990 for tax year 2024
Filed by CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY.
Totals
- Total revenue
- $9,459,830
- Total expenses
- $9,464,294
- Contributions and grants received
- $4,404,409
- Grants paid
- $342,031
- Program service revenue
- $4,065,488
- Investment income
- $502,458
- Other revenue
- $487,475
- Total assets, end of year
- $15,501,622
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $969,157
- Net assets or fund balances, end of year
- $14,532,465
- Program services expenses (Part IX)
- $7,544,929
- Management and general expenses
- $1,186,953
- Fundraising expenses
- $732,412
- Program service expenses (Part III)
- $7,544,929
Program services were 79.7% 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.
-
1b · Membership dues
$891,665
-
1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants
$3,512,744
-
1g · Noncash contributions included above
$101,553
-
2a · Program service revenue: Conference income
total $68,227 · related or exempt $68,227
-
2b · Program service revenue: Contract Income
total $3,767,637 · related or exempt $3,767,637
-
2c · Program service revenue: Membership Dues & Assessments
total $96,008 · related or exempt $96,008
-
2d · Program service revenue: Other program income
total $55,513 · related or exempt $55,513
-
2e · Program service revenue: Workshop income
total $77,503 · related or exempt $77,503
-
2f · All other program service revenue
total $600 · unrelated business $600
-
3 · Investment income
total $497,965 · excluded $497,965
-
4 · Income from investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds
total $0
-
5 · Royalties
total $0
-
6d · Net rental income or loss
total $0
-
7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory
securities $2,945,948
-
7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses
securities $2,941,455
-
7c · Gain or loss
securities $4,493
-
7d · Net gain or loss
total $4,493 · excluded $4,493
-
8c · Net income from fundraising events
total $0
-
9c · Net income from gaming
total $0
-
10a · Gross sales of inventory
$746,386
-
10b · Cost of goods sold
$258,911
-
10c · Net income from sales of inventory
total $487,475 · related or exempt $487,475
-
11e · Other revenue, total
$0
Functional expenses
Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.
-
1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments
total $247,659 · program services $247,659
-
2 · Grants to domestic individuals
total $94,372 · program services $94,372
-
3 · Grants to foreign organizations and individuals
total $0
-
4 · Benefits paid to or for members
total $0
-
5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
total $185,344 · program services $143,851 · management and general $26,120 · fundraising $15,373
-
6 · Compensation of disqualified persons
total $0
-
7 · Other salaries and wages
total $4,686,882 · program services $3,638,837 · management and general $659,754 · fundraising $388,291
-
8 · Pension plan contributions
total $233,051 · program services $180,878 · management and general $32,843 · fundraising $19,330
-
9 · Other employee benefits
total $441,252 · program services $342,470 · management and general $62,184 · fundraising $36,598
-
10 · Payroll taxes
total $376,982 · program services $292,588 · management and general $53,127 · fundraising $31,267
-
11a · Fees: management
total $0
-
11b · Fees: legal
total $20,100 · program services $20,100
-
11c · Fees: accounting
total $30,000 · management and general $30,000
-
11d · Fees: lobbying
total $33,107 · program services $33,107
-
11e · Fees: professional fundraising services
total $0
-
11f · Fees: investment management
total $0
-
11g · Fees: other
total $1,318,630 · program services $1,197,316 · management and general $57,162 · fundraising $64,152
-
12 · Advertising and promotion
total $2,400 · management and general $2,400
-
13 · Office expenses
total $55,864 · program services $8,357 · management and general $46,494 · fundraising $1,013
-
14 · Information technology
total $136,410 · program services $55,913 · management and general $31,285 · fundraising $49,212
-
15 · Royalties
total $0
-
16 · Occupancy
total $152,568 · program services $128,724 · management and general $17,239 · fundraising $6,605
-
17 · Travel
total $420,273 · program services $401,177 · management and general $12,674 · fundraising $6,422
-
18 · Travel or entertainment for public officials
total $0
-
19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings
total $275,676 · program services $275,676
-
20 · Interest
total $0
-
21 · Payments to affiliates
total $0
-
22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization
total $114,051 · program services $93,310 · management and general $20,741
-
23 · Insurance
total $94,236 · program services $85,046 · management and general $6,055 · fundraising $3,135
-
24a · Other expenses: Printing and Publications
total $243,762 · program services $139,414 · management and general $2,956 · fundraising $101,392
-
24b · Other expenses: Supplies
total $170,674 · program services $138,043 · management and general $25,837 · fundraising $6,794
-
24c · Other expenses: Miscellaneous
total $130,723 · program services $28,091 · management and general $99,804 · fundraising $2,828
-
24d · Other expenses: Donations
total $278 · management and general $278
-
24e · All other expenses
total $0
Balance sheet
Part X, book values.
-
1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing
beginning of year $1,948,948 · end of year $1,914,367
-
2 · Savings and temporary cash investments
beginning of year $980,278 · end of year $767,839
-
3 · Pledges and grants receivable
beginning of year $1,102,098 · end of year $1,552,099
-
4 · Accounts receivable
beginning of year $852,312 · end of year $1,062,044
-
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
end of year $0
-
8 · Inventories for sale or use
beginning of year $193,657 · end of year $174,794
-
9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges
beginning of year $138,687 · end of year $143,728
-
10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis
$631,222
-
10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation
$163,728
-
10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net
beginning of year $524,359 · end of year $467,494
-
11 · Investments: publicly traded securities
beginning of year $9,730,975 · end of year $9,416,520
-
12 · Investments: other securities
end of year $0
-
13 · Investments: program-related
end of year $0
-
14 · Intangible assets
end of year $0
-
15 · Other assets
beginning of year $3,737 · end of year $2,737
-
17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses
beginning of year $617,268 · end of year $745,541
-
19 · Deferred revenue
beginning of year $130,432 · end of year $223,616
-
27 · Net assets without donor restrictions
beginning of year $9,826,062 · end of year $11,118,308
-
28 · Net assets with donor restrictions
beginning of year $4,901,289 · end of year $3,414,157
Mission and programs · 2024
Mission
To protect Californias native plants and their natural habitats, today and into the future, through science, education, stewardship, gardening, and advocacy
-
Plant ScienceCalifornia's ambitious climate, working land, and biodiversity initiatives require the best available science on the state's native plants and habitats. With the State of California's record investment in vegetation mapping, the CNPS Vegetation Program partnered to complete 5 million acres of vegetation mapping, 100 additions or updates to the Manual of California Vegetation, and monitoring and sampling of 120 federally managed public lands. Vegetation mapping on Californias Central Coast was a highlight with 2,500 new vegetation surveys, more than 10,000 existing surveys compiled. More than 190 plant alliances and 1,556 rare and sensitive plant species were mapped. During this same time, CNPS Rare Plant Program Staff vouchered 522 plants, surveyed 225 rare plants, and made 46 status additions and updates to the CNPS Rare Plant Inventory. A highlight was the teams conservation work in the Caldor Fire burn scar, where the Rare Plant team and volunteers collected 85,000 rare plant seeds for seed-banking and 19 herbarium vouchers. Together, they collected 157 data points across 58 populations of target species, thanks in part to more than 600 hours of support from CNPS volunteers. In community science, the CNPS Fire Followers science project captures more than 62,000 observations in post-fire areas, contributing to our growing understanding of native plants in burn areas. Last, work on the California Native Seed Strategy continued, with 235 species identified as candidates for restoration seed.
Expenses $4,843,279 · Grants $182 · Revenue $3,767,637
-
Engagement & OutreachThis year, CNPS Education, Horticulture, and Public Affairs staff worked to engage the public, strengthen partnerships, and educate decision-makers through a wide range of activities. In Education, CNPS prepared for the 2026 CNPS Conference by forming its Conference Planning Committee and beginning its work under the theme: Growing the Movement Together for Native Plants. Education Staff also designed the new Biodiversity in Urban Gardens community science project, launching in late 2025/early 2026. The team awarded 15 student research grantees over $14,000 in funding, welcomed 110 participants to sold-out plant science workshops, and, under the leadership of the CNPS Rare Plant Program, awarded 94 new Certified California Botanists. Horticulture staff began work on cooperative agreements with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to scale up native plant production and habitat for pollinators, and introduced the new, interactive Calscape Garden Planner on Calscape.org. In Public Affairs, the team continued its leadership role in the Power in Nature coalition, advocating with partners statewide for the State of Californias goal to protect 30% of its lands and coastal waters by 2030. One noteworthy highlight was the passage of Proposition 4, which secured $10 billion in much-needed long-term conservation funding for the implementation of conservation, restoration, and land management projects across the state. Today, CNPS is reaching more people than ever with nearly 250,000 social media followers and 50,000 email subscribers.
Expenses $1,612,051 · Grants $341,849 · Revenue $145,730
-
ConservationThe CNPS Conservation Program works with volunteers, staff, and partners to undertake the environmental review, legal action, and advocacy needed to protect California native plants and habitats today and into the future. This year, CNPS Conservation and Public Affairs staff launched a new Advocacy Corps to support its grassroots network of volunteers at key moments of decision-making. In January, CNPS staff and volunteer representatives were invited to the White House to celebrate the designations of Stttla and Chuckwalla National Monuments. The new monuments coupled with the May 2024 expansions of Berryessa Snow Mountain and San Gabriel Mountains National Monuments represented nearly 1 million newly conserved acres in California! As the new federal administration took office, CNPS and partners across the state pivoted to a statewide defense campaign to ensure Californias new national monuments and public lands stay in public hands with the highest levels of protection for native plants and habitats. CNPS also provided comment letters and initiated litigation to protect imperiled habitats and plants, including a case against the Jurupa Valley City Council to protect a one-of-a-kind native oak estimated to be 13,000-18,000 years old!
Expenses $608,756
-
PUBLICATIONSThe CNPS Publication Program provides a unique platform for native plants and the people studying and advocating for them. Subject matter spans scientific, horticultural, cultural, conservation, and educational topics surrounding native plants. This year, CNPS published Part II of a special issue of its science journal, Artemisia -- Indigenous Perspectives: Native Plants and Climate Change. The program also published three editions of its popular Flora magazine (distribution ~15,000) along with California's first comprehensive guide to lupine titled, "Lupines of California" by Teresa Sholars and Stuart Wilson.
Expenses $255,300 · Revenue $96,608
-
Chapter SupportCNPS's 35 chapters are the face of the native plant movement in communities across California and Baja California, Mexico. This year, CNPS volunteers contributed 157,000 volunteer hours, the equivalent of 430 hours a day! CNPS staff support volunteer-led chapter work in a technical assistance capacity, ranging from plant science and CEQA-process training to communications and operational guidance. Staff hosts coordinating meetings, provides professional best practice guidelines, and oversees and provides training in technical platforms including websites, Zoom, email marketing, volunteer management tools, and online sales. Staff also updates an extensive online chapter handbook, directories, codes of conduct, and other administrative tools. Highlights of chapter activities this year include: volunteer contributions for vegetation mapping and rare plant work in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, the Central Coast, far Northern California, and the Caldor Fire burn area; a City of Ukiah grant to the CNPS Sanhedrin Chapter for native plants in public spaces; Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Gold Resolution award for the Milo Baker Chapters native plant restoration at Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay; the Yerba Buena Chapters work to remove tens of thousands of invasive plants from Buckeye Canyon on San Bruno Mountain; distribution of more than 3,500 wildflower seed packets through the Santa Clara Valley Chapters Wildflower Ambassadors Program; removal of French broom at Lompico Headwaters in Santa Cruz County; the Alta Peak Chapters Tulare Lake lecture series; a grant to the Sequoia Chapter to establish native plant gardens with Fresno High Schools International Baccalaureate program; the discovery of a rare Arctostaphylos in San Luis Obispo; a $98,566 grant from the Orange County Chapter to the UC Irvine Herbarium to process plant vouchers and support publications with local plant identifications; a neighborhood-led restoration of Elephant Hill in El Sereno; and the Riverside-San Bernardino Chapters work to protect a 13,000 year-old Palmers oak, estimated to be one of the oldest living organisms on Earth. CNPS Chapters across Southern California were also on the frontlines of the Los Angeles wildfires, providing education and support for local residents.
Expenses $225,543 · Revenue $55,513
As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.
Listed in Part VII
-
Kathy Jun Bando
Executive Dir.
- Total calculated
- $185,713
- From this org
- $164,716
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $20,997
- Hours/week
- 54
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $164,716
- Bonus
- not reported
- Other
- not reported
- Deferred
- $9,837
- Nontaxable benefits
- $11,160
- Filer's total
- $185,713
-
Brock Wimberley
Sr Operations Dir
- Total calculated
- $184,090
- From this org
- $161,337
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $22,753
- Hours/week
- 47
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $161,337
- Bonus
- not reported
- Other
- not reported
- Deferred
- $9,637
- Nontaxable benefits
- $13,116
- Filer's total
- $184,090
-
Liv R O'Keeffe
Dir Public Affairs
- Total calculated
- $173,336
- From this org
- $162,760
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $10,576
- Hours/week
- 49
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $162,760
- Bonus
- not reported
- Other
- not reported
- Deferred
- $9,711
- Nontaxable benefits
- $865
- Filer's total
- $173,336
-
Christine Pieper
Development Dir
- Total calculated
- $152,458
- From this org
- $130,325
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $22,133
- Hours/week
- 40
Schedule J breakdown matched by us
- Base
- $130,325
- Bonus
- not reported
- Other
- not reported
- Deferred
- $7,806
- Nontaxable benefits
- $14,327
- Filer's total
- $152,458
-
Julie Evens
Vegetation Prg Dir
- Total calculated
- $141,816
- From this org
- $120,040
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $21,776
- Hours/week
- 41
-
Aaron E Sims
Dir Rare Plants
- Total calculated
- $135,199
- From this org
- $117,135
- From related orgs
- $0
- Other
- $18,064
- Hours/week
- 41
-
Vince Scheidt
Vice President
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 4
-
Vivian Neou
President
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 4
-
Larry Levine
Representative
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 4
-
Steve Schoenig
Director
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 4
-
April Owens
Secretary
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 4
-
Carol Witham
Treasurer
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 4
-
Leslie Warren
Director
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 4
-
Robin Mitchell
Director
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 4
-
Angel Garcia
Rep Chapter Cou
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 4
-
Gordon Leppig
Director
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 4
-
Brent Mishler
Director
- Total calculated
- $0
- Hours/week
- 4
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 · 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
-
$98,566
General Support
-
$47,098
Support for facility
-
$6,000
Conservation
Provenance
- Return type
- form_990
- Tax year
- 2024
- Filed
- 13 February 2026
- IRS schema version
- 2024v5.2
- Source object
- 202620449349300542
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