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← JO DAVIESS CONSERVATION FOUNDATION INC

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by JO DAVIESS CONSERVATION FOUNDATION INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$2,926,055
Total expenses
$2,638,367
Contributions and grants received
$1,745,343
Grants paid
$11,950
Program service revenue
$272,374
Investment income
$908,338
Other revenue
$0
Total assets, end of year
$21,394,058
Total liabilities, end of year
$196,961
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$21,197,097
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$1,600,053
Management and general expenses
$747,824
Fundraising expenses
$290,490
Program service expenses (Part III)
$1,600,053

Program services were 60.6% 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

    $11,416

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $8,800

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $1,725,127

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $89,325

  • 2a · Program service revenue: FEE FOR SERVICE

    total $166,389 · related or exempt $166,389

  • 2b · Program service revenue: STEWARDSHIP/RENTAL INCOME

    total $79,338 · related or exempt $79,338

  • 2c · Program service revenue: EDUCATIONAL REVENUE

    total $5,238 · related or exempt $5,238

  • 2f · All other program service revenue

    total $21,409 · related or exempt $21,409

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $51,933 · excluded $51,933

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $10,883,102

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

    securities $10,026,697

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $856,405

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $856,405 · excluded $856,405

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $11,950 · program services $11,950

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $110,046 · program services $36,315 · management and general $36,315 · fundraising $37,416

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $818,747 · program services $626,076 · management and general $52,962 · fundraising $139,709

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $9,984 · program services $7,448 · management and general $407 · fundraising $2,129

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $40,124 · program services $27,880 · management and general $3,062 · fundraising $9,182

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $71,666 · program services $48,396 · management and general $6,443 · fundraising $16,827

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $18,329 · management and general $18,329

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $31,050 · management and general $31,050

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $97,973 · program services $29,703 · fundraising $68,270

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $14,885 · program services $4,232 · management and general $1,783 · fundraising $8,870

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $22,174 · program services $7,826 · management and general $10,492 · fundraising $3,856

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $4,840 · program services $2,484 · management and general $2,356

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $42,656 · program services $10,123 · management and general $32,533

  • 17 · Travel

    total $34,110 · program services $33,661 · management and general $449

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $40,354 · program services $39,978 · management and general $134 · fundraising $242

  • 20 · Interest

    total $1,335 · program services $1,335

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $126,369 · program services $126,369

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $46,036 · program services $35,203 · management and general $10,833

  • 24a · Other expenses: PLEDGES WRITTEN OFF

    total $527,777 · program services $0 · management and general $527,777 · fundraising $0

  • 24b · Other expenses: LAND PROTECTION AND PRE

    total $508,280 · program services $508,280 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 24c · Other expenses: EQUIPMENT

    total $38,731 · program services $38,731 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 24d · Other expenses: DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $14,350 · program services $3,137 · management and general $7,224 · fundraising $3,989

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $6,601 · program services $926 · management and general $5,675

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $10,232 · end of year $21,893

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $1,584,482 · end of year $1,562,421

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $2,682,362 · end of year $301,228

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $53,200 · end of year $42,733

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $3,851 · end of year $6,702

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

    $2,018,073

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

    $605,150

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $1,147,470 · end of year $1,412,923

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $6,507,818 · end of year $10,244,868

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $8,561,199 · end of year $7,801,290

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $119,736 · end of year $134,286

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $42,393 · end of year $23,866

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $108,199 · end of year $38,809

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $12,838,639 · end of year $10,008,152

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $7,441,647 · end of year $11,188,945

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

JDCF WORKS TO PRESERVE AND STEWARD LAND AND WATER FOR THE LASTING WELL-BEING OF ALL PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO PRESERVE AND STEWARD LAND FOR THE LASTING WELL-BEING OF ALL PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE.

  • STEWARDSHIP AND PUBLIC ACCESS: IN ANY GIVEN YEAR THESE SERVICES MAKE UP THE LARGEST ANNUAL PROGRAM EXPENSE FOR JDCF. LABOR AND EQUIPMENT COMPRISE THE BULK OF THESE PROGRAM SERVICES FOR THE CARE, MAINTENANCE AND ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION OF THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF PROPERTY HELD IN PUBLIC TRUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE IN NW ILLINOIS. IN 2024, JDCF'S DRIFTLESS STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE (DSI) PROGRAM IS IN ITS FOURTH YEAR. DSI OFFERS FEE FOR SERVICE STEWARDSHIP SERVICES ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATELY PROTECTED LANDS IN FOUR ADDITIONAL COUNTIES IN NW ILLINOIS. OF THE MORE THAN 2,000 ACRES THAT JDCF OWNS, APPROXIMATELY 1,500 ACRES WITH OVER 60 MILES OF TRAILS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR PASSIVE RECREATION AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES, INCLUDING TWO PARTNER PRESERVES. IN 2024, WE ESTIMATE OVER 25,000 PEOPLE VISITED OUR PRESERVES. OUR DEDICATED TEAM OF RESTORATION SPECIALISTS ACQUIRED A NEW GMC SIERRA THROUGH AN ILDNR GRANT AND A NEW DUMP TRAILER. TOTAL STEWARDSHIP SERVICES FOR 2024, INCLUDING SALARIES, EQUIPMENT, TRAINING, INSURANCE AND VEHICLES, WAS APPROXIMATELY: $722,000. REVENUE FOR STEWARDSHIP TOTALED APPROXIMATELY $852,000; DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALED APPROXIMATELY $151,000.

    Expenses $690,706 · Revenue $79,338

  • LAND PRESERVATION: JDCF PRESERVES LAND IN TWO DISTINCT WAYS, CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND ACQUISITIONS. IN 2024, JDCF ACQUIRED A CONSERVATION EASEMENT OF 120 ACRES PRESERVING NATIVE FOREST HABITAT, A TREE PLANTING AREA, A REMNANT HILL PRAIRIE AND SOME INDIGENOUS CULTURAL AREAS. WITH THIS EASEMENT JDCF NOW HOLDS 35 CONSERVATION, CULTURAL AND AGRICULTURAL EASEMENTS TOTALING 4,708 ACRES. IN 2024, JDCF ACQUIRED TWO ADDITIONAL FEE SIMPLE PROPERTIES TOTALING 41.74. ACQUISITIONS LIKE THESE ALLOW JDCF AND PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS TO PRESERVE AGRICULTURAL LAND AND NATURAL AREAS IN PERPETUITY IN JO DAVIESS COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS. THE 40-ACRE MOSTLY WOODED THOMSON BLUFF PROPERTY WAS ACQUIRED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ARCHEOLOGICAL CONSERVANCY. IN THE BEGINNING OF 2024, JDCF SOLD ITS WARD'S GROVE PROPERTY TO THE IL DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, INCREASING THE SIZE OF ITS SAME-NAMED NATURE PRESERVE AREA. THE SALE OF THIS PROPERTY BROUGHT IN $500,000 IN RESTRICTED FUNDS HELD IN RESERVE FOR FUTURE LAND ACQUISITIONS. THE REMAINING SALE PROCEEDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,000 WERE ALLOCATED TO SUPPORT OUR NEW STEWARDSHIP SHOP FACILITY AND CREATED A BOARD DESIGNATED FUND FOR FUTURE CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEEDS. OPERATING REVENUE FOR THE LAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM TOTALED APPROXIMATELY $819,000 AND EXPENSES TOTALED APPROXIMATELY $707,000. DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALED APPROXIMATELY $244,000

    Expenses $675,640 · Grants $11,950 · Revenue $187,798

  • EDUCATIONAL SERVICES: IN 2024, JDCF CONTINUED MAKING DEEP CONNECTIONS WITH INDIGENOUS TRIBES (WHO FORMERLY CALLED JO DAVIESS COUNTY HOME), SPECIFICALLY THE HO-CHUNK (AND WINNEBAGO) NATIONS AND THE SAC AND FOX NATION OF OKLAHOMA. IN COLLABORATION WITH THESE GROUPS, JDCF HAS BEGUN PROVIDING EDUCATION AND OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES FOR LISTENING, LEARNING, AND CELEBRATING THE HERITAGE OF THE LAND IT PRESERVES AND STEWARDS. DELIVERING JDCF'S EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SERVICES DEPENDS ON SUPPORT FROM A ROBUST VOLUNTEER CORPS OF OVER 50 VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORT FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES INCLUDING A $10,000 SPONSORSHIP FROM A LOCAL BANK AND A PORTION OF TWO CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS FROM PRIVATE GIVING FOUNDATIONS. EXPENSES, INCLUDING SALARIES, AND EDUCATION PROGRAM COSTS WERE APPROXIMATELY $234,000. GRANTS, INDIVIDUAL AND LOCAL BUSINESS PARTNER CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALED APPROXIMATELY $119,000.

    Expenses $233,707 · Revenue $5,238

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

Listed in Part VII

  • STEVE BARG

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $109,805
    From this org
    $104,658
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $5,147
    Hours/week
    40

  • EMILY PAINTER

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • ALAN WENZEL

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • SUSAN MCDONALD

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • MARILYN SPIROFF

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    6

  • LAURIE MATTAS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • ROBERTA ASHER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • KEN BEACH

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • DAN DICK

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • RANDY DOWNING

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • DOUG DUFFORD

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • LOIS GORDON

    DIRECTOR THRU 4/2024

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • CHRIS LARSON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • MIKE MCCOY

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • CARTER NEWTON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • FRAN PETERSON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

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

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.

Related corporations and trusts

Part IV: related organizations taxable as a corporation or trust.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
18 July 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202522029349300847

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