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PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST

EIN 94-2392007 PALO ALTO, CA

Revenue 2023
$30,308,636
Expenses 2023
$33,859,528

Program services were 77.8% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
C500
Classification
1000
Street
222 HIGH ST

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

POST PROTECTS OPEN SPACE ON THE PENINSULA AND IN THE SOUTH BAY FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL. POST IS CREATING A NETWORK OF PROTECTED LANDS WHERE PEOPLE AND NATURE CONNECT AND THRIVE. THESE LANDS ARE PRESERVED FOREVER SO PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS BENEFIT FROM THE CAREFUL... BALANCE OF RURAL AND URBAN LANDSCAPES THAT MAKE OUR REGION EXTRAORDINARY.

Activities or mission (Part I)

POST PROTECTS OPEN SPACE ON THE PENINSULA AND IN THE SOUTH BAY FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL.

  • LAND ACQUISITION & TRANSFER:IN FISCAL YEAR 2024, POST COMPLETED AND ASSISTED A TOTAL OF 6 TRANSACTIONS THAT PROTECTED 1,141 ACRES WHILE ADVANCING SEVERAL OTHER LONGER-TERM ACQUISITIONS AND TRANSFERS.LAND TRANSACTIONS ASSISTED THE HABITAT AGENCY AND SANTA CLARA COUNTY PARKS IN PROTECTING 735 ACRES AT THE BASE OF MOUNT MADONNA IN THE SOUTHERN SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS. ASSISTED THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND IN SECURING A 50-ACRE PROPERTY IN SAN BENITO COUNTY FOR FUTURE TRANSFER TO AMAH MUTSUN LAND TRUST. ACQUIRED A 50% INTEREST IN THE 356-ACRE EL MIRADOR PROPERTY IN PORTOLA VALLEY, ADJACENT TO WINDY HILL OPEN SPACE PRESERVE. TRANSFERRED 1,908 ACRES OF LAKESIDE RANCH TO THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY HABITAT AGENCY. TRANSFERRED 644 ACRES OF JOHNSTON RANCH IN HALF MOON BAY TO THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT. TRANSFERRED THE 74-ACRE SAN GREGORIO FARM PROPERTY TO RYAN CASEY, OWNER/OPERATOR OF BLUE HOUSE FARM, SUBJECT TO AN AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT.

    Expenses $19,063,688 · Grants $10,110,405

  • LAND MANAGEMENT:POST CURRENTLY HOLDS 15,216 ACRES IN FEE OWNERSHIP AND HOLDS CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND DEED RESTRICTIONS ON 14,648 ACRES. THE ORGANIZATION HAS AN ESTABLISHED STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM FOR THE LANDS IT OWNS THAT INCLUDES RESOURCE CONSERVATION PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT, ALONG WITH ACTIVE USES OF LAND FOR CONSERVATION GRAZING AND AGRICULTURE, SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT AND RESTORATION WHERE APPROPRIATE, AND DEVELOPMENT OF COMPATIBLE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. POST WORKS TO PROTECT AND MANAGE LANDS IN ITS POSSESSION THROUGH SITE-SPECIFIC STEWARDSHIP PLANS FOR THE NATURAL RESOURCES ON EACH PROPERTY. POST STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ACTIVELY MONITOR THE ACREAGE ON WHICH POST HOLDS EASEMENTS OR RESTRICTIONS. VOLUNTEERS ALSO ASSIST WITH STEWARDSHIP PROJECTS ON POST-OWNED LAND. IN TOTAL, POST LAND VOLUNTEERS CONTRIBUTED AN IMPRESSIVE 1,450 HOURS (SVR - 1315, CE - 93, AAH - 50) OF WORK TIME ON POST-PROTECTED LAND INCLUDING CONSERVATION EASEMENT MONITORING, PARTICIPATING IN HIGHWAY CLEAN-UPS, AND MAPPING AND TREATING INVASIVE PLANTS THAT DEGRADE NATURAL SYSTEMS. THESE ARE SOME OF THE MOST IMPACTFUL PROJECTS WE IMPLEMENTED IN ORDER TO CARE FOR THE LANDS WE PROTECT:FY24 PROJECTS SAN VICENTE REDWOODS: IMPROVED FOREST HEALTH PROJECTS ON 335 ACRES OF SAN VICENTE REDWOODS INCLUDING 1.5 MILES OF FUEL BREAK, REMOVAL OF HAZARD TREES, AND SALVAGE TIMBER HARVEST; COMPLETED REGIONAL STUDY OF WOODY BIOMASS AND PILOTED INNOVATIVE TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INCLUDING PROCESSING 4,000 TONS OF BIOMASS TO PRODUCE BIOCHAR, BURNING 1,264 BURN PILES, AND IMPLEMENTING A 22 ACRE PRESCRIBED BURN. COMPLETED SAN VICENTE INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVES STUDY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL TRIBES TO DEEPEN INCORPORATION OF INDIGENOUS PRIORITIES AND TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE IN LAND STEWARDSHIP. COMPLETED RESTORATION OF 4 ACRES OF RIPARIAN FLOODPLAIN TO CAPTURE SEDIMENT AND IMPROVE HABITAT FOR FISH AND OTHER WILDLIFE ALONG BUTANO CREEK. SURVEYED LAKESIDE RANCH TO DOCUMENT PRESENCE OF AND HABITAT SUITABILITY FOR SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES. COMPLETED AN 18-MONTH FEASIBILITY STUDY TO DEFINE A PLAN TO CONNECT GAPS IN THE ICONIC CALIFORNIA COASTAL TRAIL. LAUNCHED TWO STUDIES IN COYOTE VALLEY TO INFORM THE BEST PLACEMENT FOR FUTURE WILDLIFE CROSSINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE ALONG MONTEREY ROAD AND U.S. ROUTE 101. BROKE GROUND FOR THE FUTURE DON HORSLEY COUNTY PARK AT TUNITAS CREEK BEACH.

    Expenses $4,123,682 · Grants $137,304 · Revenue $422,941

  • COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION:TO FURTHER OUR COMMUNITY GROWTH AND ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS, IN FISCAL YEAR 2024, THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED OUR CONTENT MARKETING AND ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS WHICH AIM TO GROW AND DIVERSIFY OUR COMMUNITY OF SUPPORTERS AND ENGAGE PROSPECTIVE DONORS. BETWEEN NEW PIECES AND UPDATES TO EXISTING CONTENT, WE DISTRIBUTED OVER 60 INFORMATIONAL PIECES SUCH AS GUIDES AND BLOG POSTS, HUNDREDS OF SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS (BOTH PAID AND ORGANIC), 3 ANNUAL MAGAZINES, AND GENERATED OVER 212 PRESS MENTIONS. WE INCREASED AWARENESS AND GENERATED NEW CONTACTS PRIMARILY BY ADVERTISING ON DIGITAL CHANNELS. OUR GATED GUIDES REQUIRE VIEWERS TO PROVIDE THEIR EMAIL ADDRESS AND ARE OUR MOST EFFECTIVE TOOL TO GENERATE NEW CONTACTS. AS A RESULT, WE ATTRACTED OVER 36,800 NEW COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO OUR DATABASE WHICH INCLUDES 200,000 CONTACTS.WE CONTINUED TO IMPLEMENT DIGITAL DONOR ACQUISITION CAMPAIGNS USING OUR CRM, SOCIAL MEDIA AND MARKETING AUTOMATION PLATFORMS TO RENEW EXISTING DONOR SUPPORT, CONVERT COMMUNITY MEMBERS INTO DONORS, AND DEEPEN ENGAGEMENT ACROSS OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. WE RAISED $7.73M FROM 9,485 DONORS, 1.7% OR $128K MORE THAN IN FY23 ON TOP OF 6.5% REVENUE GROWTH FROM FY22 TO FY23. GIVING IN FY23 WAS BUOYED PRIMARILY BY LARGE DONORS, AS CONTINUED INFLATIONARY HEADWINDS PUT PRESSURE ON PERSONAL DISPOSABLE INCOME WHICH FOR MANY DECLINED. POST RECEIVED 417 FEWER DONATIONS IN FY24 THAN IN FY23, BUT THE NUMBER OF REINSTATED DONORS INCREASED AND OUR OVERALL DONOR RETENTION RATE GREW FROM 61% IN FY23 TO 64% IN FY24.COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND DONORS CONTINUED TO STAY CONNECTED TO POST THROUGHOUT THE YEAR VIA OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS AND OUTREACH EVENTS. WE PROVIDED A ROBUST SCHEDULE OF 100+ EVENTS INCLUDING VIRTUAL, IN-PERSON EVENTS IN FORMATS BOTH LARGE AND SMALL. IN TOTAL, OVER 9,600 PEOPLE ATTENDED POST'S PUBLIC ONLINE AND IN-PERSON EVENTS IN FY24 WHILE POST STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS INTERACTED WITH AROUND 2,500 PEOPLE BY TABLING AT LARGE REGIONAL FESTIVALS AND PARTNER EVENTS.WE HAVE CONTINUED A ROBUST SUITE OF DIGITAL AD CAMPAIGNS SUPPORTING OUR CONTENT GUIDES, EVENTS, FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS, AND OUR FIND YOUR PLACE CAMPAIGN WHICH WORKS TO BROADEN AND DIVERSIFY OUR AUDIENCE OF SUPPORT. THIS IS SUPPLEMENTED BY ORGANIC AND PAID SOCIAL POSTING. AS A RESULT OUR SOCIAL MEDIA FOOTPRINT GREW SIGNIFICANTLY Y/Y WITH A 31% INCREASE IN IMPRESSIONS, 14% GROWTH IN REACH, AND A STUNNING 59% GROWTH ON "CLICKS" WHICH IMPACTED THE ACTIONS (DOWNLOADS, WEB VISITS, DONATIONS AND OTHER) ON OUR WEBSITE. THE BIGGEST CHANGE FOR ORGANIC SOCIAL IN FY24 WAS ON THE FACEBOOK PLATFORM. WE INCREASED OUR OVERALL ENGAGEMENT BY 34%. THIS IS AN INDICATION THAT OUR CONTENT IS REACHING MORE PEOPLE, AND ALSO THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO CREATE CONTENT THAT OUR AUDIENCES LIKE AND SHARE ACROSS THE PLATFORM. OF THE 76 CAMPAIGNS DID IN CALENDAR YEAR 2023, WE FOUND THAT OUR HIKING CALENDAR, FIND YOUR PLACE (GENERAL AWARENESS) AND DOG HIKES GUIDE CAMPAIGNS PERFORMED THE BEST AND ATTRACTED YOUNGER, MORE DIVERSE, AND LESS AFFLUENT CONTACTS.POST PRODUCED AND DELIVERED TWO ISSUES OF OUR LANDSCAPES MAGAZINE THIS YEAR AND ONE EDITION OF OUR ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT BOTH OF WHICH WERE DISTRIBUTED TO OVER 13,000 RECIPIENTS. WE HAD A SOLID YEAR IN TERMS OF PRESS EXPOSURE WITH 212 MENTIONS AND ARTICLES ACROSS A VARIETY OF ACQUISITION, RESTORATION, AND STEWARDSHIP STORIES. WE ALSO HELPED TO COORDINATE MESSAGING WITH PARTNERS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AS NECESSARY TO ENSURE COORDINATED AND CONSISTENT APPROACH TO CONSERVATION MESSAGING ACROSS POST AND OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS WHEN WORKING WITH THE MEDIA.

    Expenses $3,139,168

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Officers and directors · 2023

As listed in Part VII of the 2023 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • RAJESH MASHRUWALA

    CHAIR & DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • WENDE HUTTON

    VICE CHAIR & DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • ANDREW BOSWORTH

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • KALLE DAHL

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • DENNIS DEBROECK

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • SEAN DEMPSEY

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • ROD FERGUSON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • JENNIFER LYNCH

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • ALISA MACAVOY

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • PAUL SIMPSON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • NANHI SINGH

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • SUZANNE SULLIVAN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • KATHERINE TSAI

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • SANJAY VASWANI

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • EMERICK WOODS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • KEN YEAGER

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3

  • BRAD O'BRIEN

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    2

  • WALTER T MOORE

    PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $477,464
    From this org
    $397,326
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $80,138
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $366,707
    Bonus
    $7,406
    Other
    $23,213
    Deferred
    $36,127
    Nontaxable benefits
    $44,010
    Filer's total
    $477,463

  • MARK STEVENS

    TREASURER & CFO/COO

    Total calculated
    $362,842
    From this org
    $293,584
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $69,258
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $287,082
    Bonus
    $5,789
    Other
    $713
    Deferred
    $29,991
    Nontaxable benefits
    $39,267
    Filer's total
    $362,842

  • MARTHA TEDESCO

    CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $324,567
    From this org
    $254,724
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $69,843
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $248,955
    Bonus
    $5,056
    Other
    $713
    Deferred
    $26,333
    Nontaxable benefits
    $43,510
    Filer's total
    $324,567

  • NOELLE CHAMBERS

    VICE PRESIDENT OF CONSERVATION

    Total calculated
    $291,654
    From this org
    $249,961
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $41,693
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $244,743
    Bonus
    $5,056
    Other
    $162
    Deferred
    $25,076
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,617
    Filer's total
    $291,654

  • GORDON CLARK

    VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $309,584
    From this org
    $256,194
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $53,390
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $255,085
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $1,109
    Deferred
    $25,996
    Nontaxable benefits
    $27,395
    Filer's total
    $309,585

  • DIANE CORDOVA

    CHIEF TALENT OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $296,655
    From this org
    $229,672
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $66,983
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $199,951
    Bonus
    $4,180
    Other
    $25,541
    Deferred
    $21,672
    Nontaxable benefits
    $45,310
    Filer's total
    $296,654

  • JUSTIN ELIOT

    DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

    Total calculated
    $227,434
    From this org
    $206,925
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $20,509
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $202,798
    Bonus
    $3,965
    Other
    $162
    Deferred
    $20,509
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $227,434

  • PATRICK MARSHALL

    GENERAL COUNSEL

    Total calculated
    $235,896
    From this org
    $199,024
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,872
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $193,854
    Bonus
    $3,798
    Other
    $1,372
    Deferred
    $18,615
    Nontaxable benefits
    $18,256
    Filer's total
    $235,895

The first 25 listed. 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. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2023
    Revenue
    $30,308,636
    Expenses
    $33,859,528
    Contributions
    $24,688,844
    Grants paid
    $10,247,709
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $24,754,163
    Expenses
    $29,012,366
    Contributions
    $20,963,923
    Grants paid
    $4,286,616

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $30,206,948
    Expenses
    $19,307,818
    Assets (EOY)
    $318,771,213

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $38,732,952
    Expenses
    $23,312,465
    Assets (EOY)
    $340,634,418

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $31,121,942
    Expenses
    $37,259,526
    Assets (EOY)
    $313,034,665

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $31,685,000
    Expenses
    $27,124,227
    Assets (EOY)
    $315,775,082

  • 2016 · 990

    Revenue
    $23,615,428
    Expenses
    $14,881,452
    Assets (EOY)
    $293,022,267

  • 2015 · 990

    Revenue
    $15,930,527
    Expenses
    $12,802,145
    Assets (EOY)
    $283,267,131

  • 2014 · 990

    Revenue
    $31,241,599
    Expenses
    $12,663,233
    Assets (EOY)
    $285,514,675

  • 2013 · 990

    Revenue
    $14,889,929
    Expenses
    $19,704,443
    Assets (EOY)
    $263,526,136

  • 2012 · 990

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    $13,377,749
    Assets (EOY)
    $256,055,632

  • 2011 · 990

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    $24,429,424
    Assets (EOY)
    $238,471,093

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Grants made

  • SANTA CLARA VALLEY HABITAT AGENCY

    $2,200,000

    2023 DONATION OF LAND FKA LAKESIDE RANCH, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT BATES RANCH ACQUISITION

  • SEMPERVIRENS FUND

    $2,000,000

    2022 SUPPORT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE JONES GULCH PROPERTY

  • MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT

    $1,544,000

    2022 SOUTH COWELL VALUE OF TRANSFERRED LAND

  • SANTA CLARA VALLEY HABITAT AGENCY

    $400,000

    2022 SUPPORT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE GSCHWEND PROPERTY

  • THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND

    $300,000

    2023 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT PURCHASE OF SEARLE ROAD PROPERTY

  • SANTA CLARA VALLEY OPEN SPACE AUTHORITY

    $80,000

    2023 SUPPORT FOR COYOTE VALLEY CONSERVATION AREA MASTER PLAN (CVCAMP)

  • LA HONDA-PESCADERO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

    $71,116

    2022 ANNUAL PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES TO LHPUSD

  • LA HONDA-PESCADERO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

    $58,373

    2023 PAYMENT IN LIEU OF PROPERTY TAXES

  • AMAH MUTSUN LAND TRUST

    $50,000

    2022 SUPPORT FOR GENERAL OPERATIONS

  • CALIFORNIA COUNCIL OF LAND TRUSTS

    $50,000

    2022 SUPPORT FOR CA ONWARD PROGRAM

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

Where these grants went next →

Grants received

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

Related organizations

From Schedule R Part II, where a filer lists the tax-exempt organizations it is related to by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Declared on its 2023 return

California fundraising campaigns

Campaigns run by paid fundraisers, commercial coventurers and thrift stores naming this organization, as California published them. Both figures are as filed, and what the first one counts depends on the campaign type — a coventurer or a thrift store files its own sales rather than money collected for the charity. The 990 reports this only as a yearly total, never per campaign.

  • DONATE FOR CHARITY INC.

    $1,520 raised

    2023 CF Vehicle Donation Program

    $896 to charity

  • DONATE FOR CHARITY INC.

    $1,385 raised

    2021 CF Vehicle Donation Program

    $823 to charity

Amounts are as filed and do not add up: a commercial coventurer reports one promotion's whole gross once for each charity that shared in it. A campaign may also name more than one registered charity, in which case it appears on each.

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 26 October 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2023, the newest we have parsed for this organization.