Bluff Lake Nature Center is located in Denver, CO. The organization was established in 1995. According to its NTEE Classification (C60) the organization is classified as: Environmental Education, under the broad grouping of Environment and related organizations. As of 12/2023, Bluff Lake Nature Center employed 19 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Bluff Lake Nature Center is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 12/2023, Bluff Lake Nature Center generated $4.1m in total revenue. This organization has experienced exceptional growth, as over the past 9 years, it has increased revenue by an average of 29.7% each year . All expenses for the organization totaled $918.4k during the year ending 12/2023. While expenses have increased by 12.7% per year over the past 9 years. They've been increasing with an increasing level of total revenue. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2023
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
BLUFF LAKE NATURE CENTER EDUCATES INDIVIDUALS TO BE ENGAGED, RESILIENT, AND CURIOUS; CONSERVES A NATURAL AREA IN THE CITY; FURTHERS EQUITY IN OUTDOOR ACCESS; AND NURTURES THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF COMMUNITIES AND ECOSYSTEMS.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
BLUFF LAKE NATURE CENTER IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 365 DAYS A YEAR FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET. IN 2023, OVER 90,000 VISITORS CAME TO BLUFF LAKE TO ENJOY A FEW MOMENTS OF SOLACE AND CONNECTION TO NATURE, GO FOR A RUN, OR TO ENJOY AN AFTERNOON EXPLORING WITH THEIR FAMILY. THANKS TO THE OUTDOOR LOCATION, BLUFF LAKE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE PROGRAMMING AND SERVICES AT THE SAME LEVEL AS PRE-PANDEMIC AND PROVED WHAT AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE IS PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITY. OVER 6,000 AREA ECE-12TH GRADE STUDENTS EITHER VISITED BLUFF LAKE OR PARTICIPATED IN VIRTUAL STEM BASED FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS, OVER 80% OF THESE STUDENTS FROM TITLE 1 SCHOOLS (OVER 50% FREE/REDUCED LUNCH) AND COME FOR FREE THANKS TO GRANT FUNDING AND DONATIONS. ON FIELD TRIPS STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT HABITATS, WATER QUALITY, AND MORE. IN 2023, BLUFF LAKE ALSO HOSTED 10 WEEKS OF SUMMER CAMP FOR CAMPERS AGED 5-15, PROVIDING OVER 100 FULL AND PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIP SPOTS TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES. PUBLIC PROGRAMMING INCLUDED MONTHLY FAMILY DAYS, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SPECIAL EVENTS SUCH AS BOO ON THE BLUFF, AND GUIDED WALKS (BIRD WALKS, MINDFULNESS WALKS, ETC.). BLUFF LAKE ALSO HOSTS AN ONSITE FOREST SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES THAT IS FREE FOR THE FAMILIES, THANKS TO STATE AND GRANT FUNDING. EACH YEAR BLUFF LAKE WORKS WITH HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS (INCLUDING SCOUTS, CORPORATE GROUPS, FAMILIES, AND OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS) DOING SITE PROJECTS AND FACILITATING EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE EXPERIENCES LISTED ABOVE WE MANAGE OUR WILDLIFE REFUGE, PRESERVING AND RESTORING OUR 123-ACRE SITE WHICH HAS PRAIRIE, WETLAND, AND RIPARIAN HABITATS. YEARLY ONGOING PROJECTS INCLUDE TRAIL RESTORATION, WILDLIFE STUDIES, INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL, TREE PLANTING, SEEDING DISTURBED AREAS, REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF FENCING, SITE SECURITY AND SIGNAGE, AND MORE.
Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
---|---|---|---|
Rachel Hutchens Executive Di | Officer | 40 | $76,322 |
Jared Luner President | OfficerTrustee | 4 | $0 |
Stephen Hebert Vice Preside | OfficerTrustee | 4 | $0 |
Luke Galli Treasurer | OfficerTrustee | 4 | $0 |
Virginia Dickinson Member | Trustee | 2 | $0 |
Tina Landers Member | Trustee | 2 | $0 |
Statement of Revenue | |
---|---|
Federated campaigns | $0 |
Membership dues | $0 |
Fundraising events | $0 |
Related organizations | $0 |
Government grants | $592,911 |
All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $3,258,700 |
Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $0 |
Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $3,851,611 |
Total Program Service Revenue | $217,320 |
Investment income | $23,066 |
Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
Royalties | $0 |
Net Rental Income | $0 |
Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $0 |
Net Income from Fundraising Events | -$1,159 |
Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
Total Revenue | $4,090,838 |
Statement of Expenses | |
---|---|
Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $0 |
Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $0 |
Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $83,209 |
Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $10,401 |
Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
Other salaries and wages | $341,839 |
Pension plan accruals and contributions | $4,424 |
Other employee benefits | $15,954 |
Payroll taxes | $30,991 |
Fees for services: Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Legal | $0 |
Fees for services: Accounting | $10,191 |
Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
Fees for services: Investment Management | $0 |
Fees for services: Other | $31,425 |
Advertising and promotion | $2,762 |
Office expenses | $30,699 |
Information technology | $3,004 |
Royalties | $0 |
Occupancy | $53,757 |
Travel | $3,653 |
Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $0 |
Interest | $0 |
Payments to affiliates | $0 |
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $82,011 |
Insurance | $17,504 |
All other expenses | $44,951 |
Total functional expenses | $918,387 |
Balance Sheet | |
---|---|
Cash—non-interest-bearing | $599,678 |
Savings and temporary cash investments | $1,602,072 |
Pledges and grants receivable | $1,332,719 |
Accounts receivable, net | $24,001 |
Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $1,687 |
Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $6,158,099 |
Investments—publicly traded securities | $0 |
Investments—other securities | $0 |
Investments—program-related | $0 |
Intangible assets | $0 |
Other assets | $1,169,231 |
Total assets | $10,887,487 |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $30,827 |
Grants payable | $0 |
Deferred revenue | $0 |
Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
Other liabilities | $23,474 |
Total liabilities | $54,301 |
Net assets without donor restrictions | $6,635,001 |
Net assets with donor restrictions | $4,198,185 |
Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $10,887,487 |