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← LAND TRUST OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by LAND TRUST OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY.

Totals

Total revenue
$43,880,016
Total expenses
$19,506,881
Contributions and grants received
$40,743,347
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$807,962
Investment income
$1,964,561
Other revenue
$364,146
Total assets, end of year
$87,524,969
Total liabilities, end of year
$1,519,975
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$86,004,994
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$18,279,665
Management and general expenses
$1,081,519
Fundraising expenses
$145,697
Program service expenses (Part III)
$18,279,665

Program services were 93.7% 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.

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $23,649,012

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $17,094,335

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $12,095,000

  • 2a · Program service revenue: STEWARDSHIP/CONTRACT

    total $57,324 · related or exempt $57,324

  • 2b · Program service revenue: TIMBER SALES

    total $750,638 · related or exempt $750,638

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $483,155 · excluded $483,155

  • 4 · Income from investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds

    total $0

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $0

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $961,126

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $596,980

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $364,146

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $364,146 · related or exempt $364,146

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $17,134,084

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

    securities $15,652,678

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $1,481,406

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $1,481,406 · related or exempt $1,481,406

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total $0

  • 9c · Net income from gaming

    total $0

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $0

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $0

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $0

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $0

  • 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 $458,340 · program services $176,293 · management and general $275,083 · fundraising $6,964

  • 6 · Compensation of disqualified persons

    total $0

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $2,072,892 · program services $1,679,707 · management and general $367,460 · fundraising $25,725

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $75,955 · program services $51,213 · management and general $24,742

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $342,931 · program services $278,859 · management and general $63,655 · fundraising $417

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $189,860 · program services $143,674 · management and general $43,213 · fundraising $2,973

  • 11a · Fees: management

    total $0

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $104,173 · program services $104,141 · management and general $27 · fundraising $5

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $91,708 · program services $91,708

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $0

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $0

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $0

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $2,611,999 · program services $2,459,365 · management and general $102,438 · fundraising $50,196

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $11,836 · program services $10,886 · fundraising $950

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $145,445 · program services $128,746 · management and general $14,961 · fundraising $1,738

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $118,134 · program services $90,369 · management and general $24,757 · fundraising $3,008

  • 15 · Royalties

    total $0

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $144,351 · program services $122,168 · management and general $19,379 · fundraising $2,804

  • 17 · Travel

    total $131,704 · program services $97,533 · management and general $26,287 · fundraising $7,884

  • 18 · Travel or entertainment for public officials

    total $0

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $0

  • 20 · Interest

    total $0

  • 21 · Payments to affiliates

    total $0

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $180,295 · program services $160,361 · management and general $17,199 · fundraising $2,735

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $86,255 · program services $73,564 · management and general $10,802 · fundraising $1,889

  • 24a · Other expenses: CONSERVATION TRANSACTIONS

    total $12,003,001 · program services $12,003,001

  • 24b · Other expenses: PROPERTY TAXES

    total $335,072 · program services $324,430 · management and general $9,098 · fundraising $1,544

  • 24c · Other expenses: LICENSE AND FEES

    total $145,423 · program services $114,919 · management and general $23,165 · fundraising $7,339

  • 24d · Other expenses: DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $89,333 · program services $60,987 · management and general $12,292 · fundraising $16,054

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $168,174 · program services $107,741 · management and general $46,961 · fundraising $13,472

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $873,037 · end of year $1,220,252

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    end of year $0

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $2,876,422 · end of year $1,736,541

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $173,436 · end of year $373,003

  • 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

    end of year $0

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $1,553,831 · end of year $139,864

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

    $72,070,101

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

    $1,288,891

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $38,486,391 · end of year $70,781,210

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $15,018,384 · end of year $13,207,459

  • 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 $423,308 · end of year $66,640

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $642,803 · end of year $1,093,648

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $130,150 · end of year $388,482

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $9,270 · end of year $37,845

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $43,295,485 · end of year $76,146,142

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $15,327,101 · end of year $9,858,852

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

LAND TRUST OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY (THE ORGANIZATION) WAS INCORPORATED IN CALIFORNIA AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION IN 1978. THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO PROTECT, CARE FOR, AND CONNECT ALL PEOPLE TO THE VIBRANT NATURAL AND WORKING LANDS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND NATURE TO THRIVE TOGETHER FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. VISION THE ORGANIZATION SEES A FUTURE IN WHICH THE AMAZING DIVERSITY OF LANDS THAT DEFINE AND CONNECT ITS WORK TO THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY REGION THE WILD AND WORKING FORESTS, THE GLOBALLY UNIQUE WILDLIFE HABITATS, THE COASTAL LANDSCAPE, AND ITS RICH FARMING AND RANCHING HERITAGE ARE CARED FOR AND PRESERVED FOREVER.

Activities or mission (Part I)

PROTECT, CARE FOR AND CONNECT ALL PEOPLE TO THE VIBRANT NATURAL AND WORKING LANDS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL FOR ITS COMMUNITY AND NATURE TO THRIVE TOGETHER FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

  • LAND PROTECTION: GUIDED BY ITS STRATEGIC PLAN AND CONSERVATION BLUEPRINT, THE ORGANIZATION WORKS WITH WILLING LANDOWNERS TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT LANDS WITH SIGNIFICANT CONSERVATION VALUE AND HABITAT CONNETIVITY. THE ORGANIZATION PROTECTS WORKING LANDS (FAMRS, FORESTS, AND GRAZING LANDS) AND NATURAL LANDS. THE ORGANIZATION ACQUIRES LAND THROUGH FEE SIMPLE PURCHASE (WHICH MAY INCLUDE A BARGAIN SALE), DONATION AND PURCHASES OR RECEIVES DONATIONS OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS THROUGH A CONSERVATION EASEMENT.

    Expenses $11,420,373

  • PUBLIC ACCESS/EDUCATION: THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO THE PUBLIC. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PUBLIC ACCESS ON SIX PROPERTIES, EDUCATES THE GREATER COMMUNITY ON LOCAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION STRATEGIES, AND BUILDS AND MAINTAINS 29 MILES OF TRAILS. THE ORGANIZATION IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY HARVEST AMENITY ON ITS 500-ACRE FARM.

    Expenses $4,614,436

  • LAND STEWARDSHIP: THE ORGANIZATION STEWARDS ITS 5,500 ACRES OF FEE TITLE CONSERVATION LANDS BY IMPLEMENTINGHABITAT PROTECTION AND RESTORATION PROJECTS, AND UNDERTAKES SPECIES MONITORING, GRAZING, FOREST MANAGEMENT, AND RESEARCH. ANNUAL MANAGEMENT PLANS GUIDE THE WORK TO SUPPORT THE CONSERVATION VALUES OF THE LANDS. THE ORGANIZATION HOLDS 45 CONSERVATION EASEMENTS PROTECTING 5,100 ACRES. USING A BASELINE REPORT AS A BENCHMARK, THE ORGANIZATION MONITORS THE VALUES OF THE EASEMENTS AND ENSURES COMPLIANCE WITH THE PERMANENT PROTECTION GOALS.

    Expenses $2,244,856 · Revenue $807,962

As filed on the 2024 return.

Listed in Part VII

  • Sarah Newkirk

    Executive Dir.

    Total calculated
    $244,343
    From this org
    $236,335
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,008
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $236,335
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $7,089
    Nontaxable benefits
    $919
    Filer's total
    $244,343

  • Teresa Malone

    DEPUTY DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $213,997
    From this org
    $187,772
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $26,225
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $187,772
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $5,618
    Nontaxable benefits
    $20,607
    Filer's total
    $213,997

  • Bryan Largay

    CONSERVATION DIR.

    Total calculated
    $195,147
    From this org
    $173,395
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $21,752
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $173,395
    Bonus
    not reported
    Other
    not reported
    Deferred
    $5,489
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,263
    Filer's total
    $195,147

  • Eric Lombardo

    EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

    Total calculated
    $118,560
    From this org
    $104,395
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $14,165
    Hours/week
    40

  • Laura Dannehl

    ENGATEMENT DIR.

    Total calculated
    $116,842
    From this org
    $107,339
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $9,503
    Hours/week
    40

  • Kate Anderton

    BOARD CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Cathy Calfo

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Betsy Allen

    Secretary

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Emily Thomas

    Treasurer

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Joyce Shimizu

    GOV COMM CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Tom Burns

    LAND COMM CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mary Culley

    FORMER CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Thom Jacob

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Katherine Beiers

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • John Brissenden

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Juliano Calil

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Rick Flores

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Suzanne MacLean

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Daniel Mountjoy

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Colin Pearce

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kathleen Rose

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Marieke Rothschild

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Christopher Wilmers

    Trustee

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

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 · 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.

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.

  • GALANTHUS LLC

    HOLD REAL ESTATE · CA · income $2,965,000 · assets $2,965,000

    Directly controlled by LAND TRUST OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
27 April 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.2
Source object
202611179349301656

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