Skip to content
Nonprofiteer
← THE CONSERVATION FUND A NONPROFIT CORPORATION

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by THE CONSERVATION FUND A NONPROFIT CORPORATION.

Totals

Total revenue
$327,435,060
Total expenses
$309,335,935
Contributions and grants received
$100,781,658
Grants paid
$54,584,204
Program service revenue
$221,213,725
Investment income
$5,223,365
Other revenue
$216,312
Total assets, end of year
$874,252,941
Total liabilities, end of year
$413,014,943
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$461,237,998
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$298,255,094
Management and general expenses
$6,463,424
Fundraising expenses
$4,617,417
Program service expenses (Part III)
$298,255,094

Program services were 96.4% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Listed in Part VII

  • DANIEL TISHMAN

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • PAUL E HAGEN

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • JULIE G BARKER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • GREGORY A BEARD

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • DAVID P BOZEMAN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • INGRID C BURKE

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • TODD C CARTER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • J STOREY CHARBONNET

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • CHARLES A CHERINGTON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • KIMBERLEE R CORNETT

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • LUIS A DE LA GARZA

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • JENNIFER L HERNANDEZ

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • G WILSON HUGHES

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • SHAMEEK KONAR

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • JILL L LONG THOMPSON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • THRUSTON B MORTON III

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • KEVYN D ORR

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • C PORTER SCHUTT III

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • JAY F WAGLEY

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • RICHARD W WAGNER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • JAMES WHITEHURST

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • LAWRENCE A SELZER

    CEO & PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $790,024
    From this org
    $701,287
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $88,737
    Hours/week
    36.5 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $483,404
    Bonus
    $216,300
    Other
    $1,583
    Deferred
    $58,000
    Nontaxable benefits
    $30,737
    Filer's total
    $790,024

  • JOHN S GILBERT

    EVP & CFO

    Total calculated
    $499,901
    From this org
    $446,741
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $53,160
    Hours/week
    36.5 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $305,157
    Bonus
    $140,000
    Other
    $1,584
    Deferred
    $31,230
    Nontaxable benefits
    $21,930
    Filer's total
    $499,901

  • MONICA A GARRISON

    SVP & TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $347,119
    From this org
    $288,221
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $58,898
    Hours/week
    31.5 + 6 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $231,190
    Bonus
    $56,000
    Other
    $1,031
    Deferred
    $24,480
    Nontaxable benefits
    $34,418
    Filer's total
    $347,119

  • MARGARET A MCCANTS

    BOARD SEC & CON ACQ DIRECT

    Total calculated
    $184,297
    From this org
    $158,944
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $25,353
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $133,584
    Bonus
    $25,000
    Other
    $360
    Deferred
    $13,502
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,851
    Filer's total
    $184,297

  • DEAN H CANNON

    EVP & GENERAL COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $488,745
    From this org
    $456,223
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $32,522
    Hours/week
    36.5 + 1 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $313,047
    Bonus
    $140,000
    Other
    $3,176
    Deferred
    $31,230
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,292
    Filer's total
    $488,745

  • MATTHEW S SEXTON

    SVP CONSERVATION ACQUISITIONS

    Total calculated
    $359,145
    From this org
    $310,205
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $48,940
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $242,653
    Bonus
    $67,000
    Other
    $552
    Deferred
    $25,317
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,623
    Filer's total
    $359,145

  • BLAINE T PHILLIPS JR

    SVP CONSERVATION ACQUISITIONS

    Total calculated
    $362,914
    From this org
    $304,599
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $58,315
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $241,017
    Bonus
    $62,000
    Other
    $1,582
    Deferred
    $25,317
    Nontaxable benefits
    $32,998
    Filer's total
    $362,914

  • MARK W ELSBREE

    SVP CONSERVATION ACQUISITIONS

    Total calculated
    $373,363
    From this org
    $312,548
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $60,815
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $238,516
    Bonus
    $73,000
    Other
    $1,032
    Deferred
    $25,317
    Nontaxable benefits
    $35,498
    Filer's total
    $373,363

  • EVAN H SMITH

    SVP CONSERVATION VENTURES

    Total calculated
    $341,298
    From this org
    $303,875
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $37,423
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $244,323
    Bonus
    $59,000
    Other
    $552
    Deferred
    $24,637
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,786
    Filer's total
    $341,298

  • CHRISTOPHER D BELL

    DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $286,614
    From this org
    $262,732
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $23,882
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $225,900
    Bonus
    $35,800
    Other
    $1,032
    Deferred
    $22,590
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,292
    Filer's total
    $286,614

  • ERIK J MEYERS

    VP CLIMATE AND WATER SUSTAINABILITY

    Total calculated
    $300,028
    From this org
    $265,953
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,075
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $224,201
    Bonus
    $36,600
    Other
    $5,152
    Deferred
    $22,500
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,575
    Filer's total
    $300,028

  • ELIZABETH PALMER

    VP OF HUMAN RESOURCES

    Total calculated
    $326,999
    From this org
    $283,922
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $43,077
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $232,368
    Bonus
    $51,000
    Other
    $554
    Deferred
    $23,858
    Nontaxable benefits
    $19,219
    Filer's total
    $326,999

  • KELLY M REED

    SVP GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

    Total calculated
    $340,339
    From this org
    $300,101
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $40,238
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $237,725
    Bonus
    $62,000
    Other
    $376
    Deferred
    $24,312
    Nontaxable benefits
    $15,926
    Filer's total
    $340,339

  • BRIAN J DANGLER

    SVP & DIRECTOR OF WORKING FOREST FUND

    Total calculated
    $339,968
    From this org
    $283,075
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $56,893
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $222,044
    Bonus
    $60,000
    Other
    $1,031
    Deferred
    $23,395
    Nontaxable benefits
    $33,498
    Filer's total
    $339,968

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

  • 1a · First-class or charter travel
  • 1b · Written policy on the line-1a expenses
  • 2 · Substantiation required before reimbursing expenses
  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Independent compensation consultant
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 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
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 1A
ON ONE OCCASION IN 2023, TCF'S PRESIDENT/CEO TRAVELED "FIRST/BUSINESS" CLASS BY COMMERCIAL AIR CARRIER FROM WASHINGTON DULLES AIRPORT TO AND FROM HONOLULU, HAWAII, TO ATTEND BUSINESS MEETINGS ASSOCIATED WITH THE POTENTIAL CONSERVATION OF A SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY LOCATED IN HAWAII. DUE TO THE TIMING OF THE MEETINGS, HE WAS REQUIRED TO TRAVEL MORE THAN 13 HOURS (INCLUDING A CHANGE OF PLANES AND LAYOVER) ON A SUNDAY, AND THEN RETURN ON OVERNIGHT FLIGHTS (AGAIN MORE THAN 13 HOURS) FOR A MEETING ON THE EAST COAST IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE TRIP. BUSINESS CLASS TRAVEL WAS REQUESTED BUT THE FLIGHTS ON THE COMMERCIAL AIR CARRIER DID NOT HAVE INTERMEDIATE CLASSES BETWEEN FIRST CLASS AND COACH SO THE TRAVEL WAS CHARACTERIZED AS FIRST CLASS TRAVEL. THIS IS NOT INCLUDED IN TAXABLE COMPENSATION.
PART I, LINE 4B
THE FUND MAINTAINS A NONQUALIFIED SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN THAT CALLS FOR ACCRUING $25,000 PER YEAR FOR THE CEO OF THE ORGANIZATION. THE ANNUAL COST OF $25,000 IS RECOGNIZED IN THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCIAL RECORDS EACH YEAR, BUT PURSUANT TO IRS RULES THE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE NOT COUNTED AS TAXABLE INCOME UNTIL THEY ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE CEO. UNDER THE PLAN, ACCRUED AMOUNTS ARE TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE CEO IN SPECIFIED INTERVALS WHEN THE CEO REACHES CERTAIN AGES IF HE IS STILL EMPLOYED BY THE ORGANIZATION, OR UPON HIS DEATH OR PERMANENT DISABILITY, AND ARE FORFEITED IF THERE IS A TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT PRIOR TO A DISTRIBUTABLE EVENT. THE NEXT DISTRIBUTION IS EXPECTED IN THE YEAR ENDING 12/31/25.
PART I, LINE 7
ALL FUND EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING OFFICERS AND OTHER KEY EMPLOYEES, ARE ELIGIBLE FOR DISCRETIONARY BONUSES THAT ARE PAID ANNUALLY, USUALLY IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR. BONUS AMOUNTS ARE BASED ON INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE AND THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION. THE AGGREGATE BONUS AMOUNT FOR OFFICERS IS REVIEWED BY THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE OVERALL COMPENSATION OF THE CEO, INCLUDING THE BONUS AMOUNT, IS ESTABLISHED BY THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE EACH YEAR.

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

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

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.

  • SUSTAINABLE CONSERVATION INC

    501(C)(3) · CONSERVATION REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP · MD · controlled entity

    Directly controlled by THE CONSERVATION FUND

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.

  • BLY HOLLOW LLC

    CONSERVATION REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP · DE · income $2,657,248 · assets $12,983,625

    Directly controlled by THE CONSERVATION FUND

  • BRANDYWINE BEAVER VALLEY LLC

    CONSERVATION REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP · DE · income $0 · assets $0

    Directly controlled by THE CONSERVATION FUND

  • CHADBOURNE FOREST LLC

    CONSERVATION REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP · DE · income $0 · assets $0

    Directly controlled by THE CONSERVATION FUND

  • CLARION JUNCTION LLC

    CONSERVATION REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP · DE · income $1,294,968 · assets $99,086,784

    Directly controlled by THE CONSERVATION FUND

  • GOTHAM WOODS LLC

    CONSERVATION REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP · DE · income $8,100,000 · assets $1,253,656

    Directly controlled by THE CONSERVATION FUND

  • PELICAN RIVER FOREST LLC

    CONSERVATION REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP · DE · income $821,487 · assets $49,451,009

    Directly controlled by THE CONSERVATION FUND

  • SHELTERWOOD HOLDINGS I LLC

    CONSERVATION REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP · DE · income $0 · assets $0

    Directly controlled by THE CONSERVATION FUND

  • SHELTERWOOD HOLDINGS II LLC

    CONSERVATION REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP · DE · income $0 · assets $0

    Directly controlled by THE CONSERVATION FUND

  • TCF SABINE RANCH HUNT CLUB LLC

    OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES · DE · income $0 · assets $0

    Directly controlled by THE CONSERVATION FUND

  • WAPITI WOODS LLC

    CONSERVATION REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP · DE · income $5,563,069 · assets $1,079,242

    Directly controlled by THE CONSERVATION FUND

Related partnerships

Part III: related organizations taxable as a partnership, with the filer's share.

  • WHITE PINE FOREST LLC

    RELATED · CONSERVATION REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP · DE · 75% owned · share of income -$192,709 · share of assets $12,987,873 · general or managing partner

    Directly controlled by THE CONSERVATION FUND

  • LUPINE FOREST LLC

    RELATED · CONSERVATION REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP · DE · 20% owned · share of income -$416,677 · share of assets $21,130,266 · general or managing partner

    Directly controlled by THE CONSERVATION FUND

  • BARNARD FOREST LLC

    RELATED · CONSERVATION REAL ESTATE OWNERSHIP · DE · 66.67% owned · share of income $41,490 · share of assets $6,807,866 · general or managing partner

    Directly controlled by THE CONSERVATION FUND

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
31 July 2024
IRS schema version
2023v5.1
Source object
202402149349300510

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

The source document this was parsed from is served over the API, which is where bulk and document access live.