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Nonprofiteer
← SEMPERVIRENS FUND

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by SEMPERVIRENS FUND.

Totals

Total revenue
$12,609,954
Total expenses
$8,883,077
Contributions and grants received
$11,829,267
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$49,335
Investment income
$728,742
Other revenue
$2,610
Total assets, end of year
$46,948,513
Total liabilities, end of year
$2,892,305
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$44,056,208
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$5,941,416
Management and general expenses
$1,016,581
Fundraising expenses
$1,925,080
Program service expenses (Part III)
$5,941,416

Program services were 66.9% 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)

    $7,763

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $11,821,504

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $1,200,184

  • 2a · Program service revenue: LAND STEWARDSHIP

    total $49,335 · related or exempt $49,335

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $646,319 · excluded $646,319

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $998,664 · other assets $25,610

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

    securities $930,951 · other assets $10,900

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $67,713 · other assets $14,710

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $82,423 · excluded $82,423

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $2,902

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $292

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $2,610 · excluded $2,610

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,436,993 · program services $850,879 · management and general $430,757 · fundraising $155,357

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $1,737,953 · program services $893,627 · management and general $201,113 · fundraising $643,213

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $103,509 · program services $58,288 · management and general $7,833 · fundraising $37,388

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $136,681 · program services $68,785 · management and general $21,557 · fundraising $46,339

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $208,040 · program services $116,658 · management and general $38,609 · fundraising $52,773

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $103,831 · program services $103,831

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $81,311 · management and general $81,311

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $149,000 · program services $149,000

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $252,632 · fundraising $252,632

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $8,705 · management and general $8,705

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $296,542 · program services $269,898 · management and general $24,694 · fundraising $1,950

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $344,071 · program services $297,889 · management and general $4,542 · fundraising $41,640

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $300,386 · program services $140,802 · management and general $29,995 · fundraising $129,589

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $96,111 · program services $49,067 · management and general $21,694 · fundraising $25,350

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $100,097 · program services $15,584 · management and general $84,513

  • 17 · Travel

    total $75,779 · program services $44,470 · management and general $9,161 · fundraising $22,148

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $40,600 · program services $9,836 · management and general $17,632 · fundraising $13,132

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $8,544 · program services $8,544

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $65,771 · program services $30,728 · management and general $19,795 · fundraising $15,248

  • 24a · Other expenses: STEWARDSHIP EXPENSES

    total $2,325,320 · program services $2,325,320

  • 24b · Other expenses: DIRECT MAIL SERVICES

    total $466,313 · fundraising $466,313

  • 24c · Other expenses: EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

    total $166,000 · program services $166,000

  • 24d · Other expenses: EVENTS EXPENSE

    total $147,472 · program services $147,472

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $231,416 · program services $194,738 · management and general $14,670 · fundraising $22,008

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $487,500 · end of year $299,071

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $7,594,071 · end of year $6,401,517

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $636,409 · end of year $2,080,337

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $176,246 · end of year $163,286

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

    $2,497,721

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

    $60,291

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $30,974 · end of year $2,437,430

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $9,342,952 · end of year $12,440,062

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $24,776,688 · end of year $23,126,810

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $476,130 · end of year $477,305

  • 24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

    beginning of year $2,415,000 · end of year $2,415,000

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $31,033,540 · end of year $32,293,349

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $9,120,170 · end of year $11,762,859

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

TO ENSURE COAST REDWOOD FORESTS IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS THRIVE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. SINCE 1900, SEMPERVIRENS HAS PROTECTED MORE THAN 36,000 ACRES. LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR MISSION, VISION, AND STRATEGIC PLAN THROUGH 2030 AT: SEMPERVIRENS.ORG/REDWOODS-FORWARD.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO ENSURE COAST REDWOOD FORESTS IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS THRIVE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

  • LAND STEWARDSHIP SEMPERVIRENS FUND OWNS DIRECTLY OR THROUGH CONSERVATION EASEMENT MORE THAN 12,000 ACRES OF LAND. PERMANENTLY PROTECTING REDWOOD FORESTS ENSURES THAT THE PROPERTIES WHERE REDWOODS THRIVE ARE SET ASIDE TO KEEP FORESTS INTACT AND PRESERVED FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. WE WORK ACROSS SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN LANDSCAPES, AND IN COLLABORATION WITH NEIGHBORS AND REGIONAL PARTNERS, TO SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH OF TREES, HABITATS, WATERWAYS, AND WILDLIFE. PLEASE CONTINUE TO SCHEDULE O FOR FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF THIS WORK. FOR EACH PROPERTY IN OUR CARE, WE GENERATE A STEWARDSHIP PLAN WHICH GIVES US, OUR PARTNERS, AND OUR NEIGHBORS CLARITY AND GUIDANCE ABOUT THE RESOURCES WE ARE PRESERVING AND THE NATURAL FEATURES WE ARE RESTORING. ACTIVE LAND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE WILDFIRE RESILIENCY PROJECTS SUCH AS ESTABLISHING SHADED FUEL BREAKS AND PRESCRIBED BURNING PROGRAMS; FOREST HEALTH PROJECTS, INCLUDING REMOVING DEBRIS, MAINTAINING TRAILS, CLEARING INVASIVE PLANTS, AND PLANTING NEW SEEDLINGS; AND RESEARCH PROJECTS SUCH AS WILDLIFE MONITORING, ENDANGERED SPECIES RECLAMATION, TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS CULTURAL SURVEYS, AND MUCH MORE. AFTER SIGNIFICANT DISTURBANCES, SUCH AS WILDFIRE OR FLOODING, RESTORATION EFFORTS INCLUDE DEBRIS CLEAN UP, CULVERT REPLACEMENT, HAZARD TREE REMOVAL, WATERWAY RESTORATION, AND FUEL REDUCTION. IN RECENT YEARS, OUR STEWARDSHIP WORK HAS INCLUDED MILESTONE PROJECTS LIKE THE REMOVAL OF A DAM ON MILL CREEK IN SAN VICENTE REDWOODS RESTORING STREAM FLOW, WHICH LED TO THE RETURN OF COHO SALMON TO THE WATERSHED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN GENERATIONS; TO FOREST RESTORATION PROJECTS ON MULTIPLE PROPERTIES THAT PRIORITIZE SUPPORTING SECOND-GROWTH REDWOODS WITH THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW LARGER, MORE QUICKLY, AND TO ESTABLISH OLD-GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS THAT ENSURE REDWOOD RESILIENCY. NOW MORE THAN EVER WE DEPEND ON FUNDING FROM OUR DONORS TO HELP US CARE FOR REDWOOD FORESTS, TO MONITOR THEIR HEALTH, CONSERVE WILDLIFE, AND IMPROVE WATERWAYS, KEEPING THEM HEALTHY, THRIVING, AND RESILIENT, FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. LEARN MORE: SEMPERVIRENS.ORG/STEWARDSHIP

    Expenses $2,969,358 · Revenue $49,335

  • EDUCATION AND OUTREACH SEMPERVIRENS FUND REGULARLY COMMUNICATES GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT ITS WORK, THE VITAL ROLE REDWOODS PLAY IN A HEALTHY, THRIVING, AND RICH REGIONAL ECOSYSTEM, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER OR FIND RECREATION IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS. SEMPERVIRENS FUND'S COMMUNITY IS INVITED TO LEARN, VOLUNTEER, TAKE ACTION, AND DONATE TO OUR WORK THROUGH DIGITAL, PRINT, AND IN-PERSON COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS, INCLUDING OUTREACH ACTIVITIES SUCH AS WEBINARS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, AND HIKING AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. VISIT SEMPERVIRENS.ORG TO LEARN MORE PLEASE CONTINUE TO SCHEDULE O FOR FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF THIS WORK. THE FOCUS OF SEMPERVIRENS FUND'S OUTREACH IS TO INTRODUCE NEW GROUPS OF PEOPLE ABOUT ITS WORK; INTRODUCE THEM TO OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES; LEARN TOGETHER ABOUT THE MARVELS OF REDWOODS, AND CULTIVATE THEIR INTEREST TO BECOME NEW STEWARDS OF THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS HABITAT. AT SEMPERVIRENS FUND, WE BELIEVE THAT CELEBRATING DIVERSITY, FOSTERING INCLUSION, ADVANCING EQUITY, AND REALIZING JUSTICE IS NOT ONLY ESSENTIAL TO OUR MISSION, BUT VITAL TO OUR HUMANITY, AS PEOPLE WORKING FOR AND SERVING ON THE BOARD FOR SEMPERVIRENS FUND AND AS PART OF A COMMUNITY DEDICATED TO PROTECTING, CARING FOR, AND EXPLORING REDWOOD FORESTS IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS. IN RECENT YEARS, SEMPERVIRENS FUND HAS PRODUCED A SERIES OF WEBINARS UNDER THE REDWOODS IN WHICH WE HOST EXPERTS AND THINKERS TO EXPLORE OUR MAGNIFICENT REDWOOD FORESTS, WHAT MAKES REDWOODS SO SPECIAL, WHY THEY THRIVE HERE AND NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD, AND WHAT THEY MEAN TO US IN OUR LIVES. WE ALSO REGULARLY ENGAGE IN CALIFORNIA AND LOCAL POLICY TO ENSURE RESOURCES ARE BEING DIRECTED TO CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP OF REDWOODS AND OTHER HABITATS IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS AND INVITE OUR COMMUNITY TO TAKE ACTION WITH US. LEARN MORE: SEMPERVIRENS.ORG/TAKE-ACTION

    Expenses $1,601,085

  • PROTECTING LAND THROUGH ACQUISITION AND TRANSFER IN FISCAL YEAR 2025, SEMPERVIRENS ACQUIRED ONE LAND PARCEL: ANO NUEVO VISTA, 41 ACRES BETWEEN BUTANO AND BIG BASIN REDWOODS STATE PARK. THE PROPERTY INCLUDES A MOSAIC OF HABITAT TYPES FROM REDWOOD FOREST TO QUICKLY DISAPPEARING MARITIME CHAPARRAL.THIS DIVERSITY OF HABITAT TYPES SUPPORTS MANY PLANTS AND WILDLIFE WITHIN ITS BORDERS AND THROUGHOUT THE WATERSHED. TO LEARN MORE, VISIT: SEMPERVIRENS.ORG/PROTECT/REDWOOD-FORESTS/ANO-NUEVO-VISTA/ PLEASE CONTINUE TO SCHEDULE O FOR FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF THIS WORK. ACRE BY PROTECTED ACRE, AND WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE PURCHASE, RESTORE, AND SAFEGUARD REDWOOD FORESTS IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, ENSURING THEY WILL NEVER BE DEVELOPED, DEGRADED, OR DESTROYED. MUCH OF THE REMAINING REDWOOD FORESTS TO PROTECT IS PRIVATELY OWNED. WE WORK WITH WILLING SELLERS TO PURCHASE LAND AT FAIR MARKET VALUE, OFTEN TRANSFERRING THE LAND TO CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS OR OTHER LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCIES. WHEN TRANSFERING LAND TO CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS WE MAY RECEIVE PAYMENT FOR THE LAND WHICH IS BELOW ITS BOOK VALUE, WHICH RESULTS IN A WRITE-OFF FOR THE IMPAIRED BOOK VALUE OF THAT LAND. SEMPERVIRENS OWNS SIGNIFICANT CONSERVATION PROPERTIES, ON WHICH SEMPERVIRENS WORKS TO RESTORE HEALTHY FORESTS AND HEAL LANDSCAPES. SEMPERVIRENS WORKS WITH PRIVATE LANDOWNERS TO ESTABLISH CONSERVATION EASEMENTS THAT PROTECT THE NATURAL AND SCENIC RESOURCES ON THEIR FOREST LANDS, WHILE KEEPING THE PROPERTIES IN PRIVATE OWNERSHIP. THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROTECTS THE LAND'S RESOURCES WITHOUT BUYING FEE TITLE TO THE PROPERTY ITSELF.

    Expenses $1,221,270

  • GIVING IN HONOR OR MEMORY SEMPERVIRENS FUND PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ITS SUPPORTERS TO DEDICATE A TREE OR GROVE LOCATED WITHIN SEMPERVIRENS FUND PROTECTED LANDS IN THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS, INCLUDING PARTNER-OWNED LANDS SUCH AS CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS. MAKING A LASTING TRIBUTE OR CELEBRATING A SPECIAL OCCASION AND MAKE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO PROTECTING THE REDWOODS FOREST AT THE SAME TIME. SEMPERVIRENS FUND HAS ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS WHEREBY SEMPERVIRENS IS PERMITTED TO OFFER THE NAMING RIGHTS TO THE TREES AND GROVES OF TREES. WE TAKE CARE OF ALL THE DETAILS AND CAN SEND A GIFT CARD TO THE PERSON YOU ARE HONORING.

    Expenses $149,703

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

Listed in Part VII

  • Peter Staple

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Vishy Venugopalan

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Gage Dayton

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Evan Siegel

    AUDIT CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Kevin Flynn

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Dana McRae

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Pamela Koch

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Marimo Berk

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Michael Watkins

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Jacqueline Wender

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Juan Benitez

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Brad Lewis

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Raj-Ann Rekhi Gill

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Sara Barth

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $315,031
    From this org
    $290,186
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,845
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $290,186
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $23,189
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,656
    Filer's total
    $315,031
  • Claire Sunspiral

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $151,445
    From this org
    $135,713
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,732
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $135,713
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,800
    Nontaxable benefits
    $7,932
    Filer's total
    $151,445
  • Michael Kawalek

    DEPUTY DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $248,735
    From this org
    $228,759
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,976
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $228,759
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $18,287
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,689
    Filer's total
    $248,735
  • Julie Seelen

    CHIEF OF PHILANTHROPY

    Total calculated
    $233,050
    From this org
    $203,283
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $29,767
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $203,283
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $15,559
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,208
    Filer's total
    $233,050
  • Matthew Shaffer

    CHIEF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

    Total calculated
    $220,374
    From this org
    $201,254
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,120
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $201,254
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $6,493
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,627
    Filer's total
    $220,374
  • Laura McLendon

    DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION PLANNING

    Total calculated
    $172,222
    From this org
    $150,620
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $21,602
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $150,620
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $12,089
    Nontaxable benefits
    $9,513
    Filer's total
    $172,222
  • Amanda Kraus

    DIRECTOR OF TRIBUTE & LEGACY GIVING

    Total calculated
    $152,486
    From this org
    $131,723
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $20,763
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $131,723
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,613
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,150
    Filer's total
    $152,486
  • Rachel Dann

    DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

    Total calculated
    $144,686
    From this org
    $128,004
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $16,682
    Hours/week
    40
  • Ann Blanchard

    DIR. OF ANNUAL PHILANTHROPIC GIVING

    Total calculated
    $136,518
    From this org
    $121,059
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,459
    Hours/week
    40
  • Beatrix Jimenez-Helsley

    NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGER

    Total calculated
    $124,947
    From this org
    $109,270
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,677
    Hours/week
    40
  • Melisa Cambron Perez

    FIELD OPERATIONS MANAGER

    Total calculated
    $115,435
    From this org
    $101,544
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,891
    Hours/week
    40

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 · 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
2024
Filed
1 April 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202601049349301430

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