The Living Desert
- Assets
- $144.7m
- Revenue
- $30.6m
- Investments
- $0.0
- Employees
- 244
- Location
- Palm Desert, CA
- Founding
- 08/1979
- Data as of
- 06/2023
- EIN
- 95-3385354
Organization Overview
The Living Desert is located in Palm Desert, CA. The organization was established in 1979. According to its NTEE Classification (C34) the organization is classified as: Land Resources Conservation, under the broad grouping of Environment and related organizations. As of 06/2023, Living Desert employed 244 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Living Desert 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 06/2023, Living Desert generated $30.6m in total revenue. This organization has experienced exceptional growth, as over the past 8 years, it has increased revenue by an average of 15.3% each year . All expenses for the organization totaled $20.5m during the year ending 06/2023. While expenses have increased by 7.5% per year over the past 8 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.
Since 2016, Living Desert has awarded 55 individual grants totaling $679,543. If you would like to learn more about the grant giving history of this organization, scroll down to the grant profile section of this page.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2023
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
TO PRESERVE PART OF THE COLORADO DESERT AND FOSTER APPRECIATION FOR DESERT PLANTS AND ANIMALS.
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMING: THE LIVING DESERT IS AN AGENT OF CONSERVATION WITH 60+ PROJECTS IN 12 COUNTRIES, COLLABORATING WITH 70+ IN-COUNTRY ORGANIZATIONS. WE ARE GLOBAL LEADERS IN COMMUNITY-BASED CONSERVATION USING SUCCESSFUL BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE BASED TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS ALL AROUND THE WORLD, WHILE ALSO INSPIRING RESOURCE SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS AMONG OUR VISITORS. THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OF THE LIVING DESERT COVER ALL ELEMENTS OF DESERT CONSERVATION AWARENESS TO PROVOKE CONSERVATION ACTIONS. WE INFORMALLY REACH OVER 630,000 GUESTS ANNUALLY. COVID-19 IMPACTED US, WE DID NOT SEE OUR NORMAL EDUCATIONAL ATTENDANCE. WE NORMALLY PROVIDE INFORMAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO MORE THAN 50,000 ADULTS AND CHILDREN, INCLUDING OVER 30,000 SCHOOL CHILDREN. DURING COVID-19 WE ADJUSTED TO ADD FAMILY PROGRAMS AND STEM CAREER (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH) DAYS. WE OFFER A DIVERSITY OF ENGAGING PROGRAMING THAT SPARKS A PASSION TO CARE FOR THE NATURAL WORLD.
COLLECTIONS: THE PLANTS AND ANIMALS AT THE LIVING DESERT HAVE IMPORTANT ROLES, AS THEY ARE AMBASSADORS FOR THEIR WILD COUNTERPARTS. THE LIVING DESERT MAINTAINS ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE AND EXTENSIVE COLLECTIONS OF DESERT FLORA AND FAUNA IN THE UNITED STATES. AS ONE OF ONLY TWO ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS IN THE COUNTRY WITH DESERT CONSERVATION AS ITS MISSION, WE PROUDLY PROVIDE A HOME TO ALMOST 600 INDIVIDUAL DESERT ANIMALS OF OVER 152 SPECIES AND OVER 10,000 DESERT PLANTS OF OVER 1000 SPECIES IN OVER 50 THEMED GARDENS AND HABITATS. THE ZOO AND GARDENS IS SET WITHIN THE NATURAL SONORAN DESERT ENVIRONMENT IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE SANTA ROSA MOUNTAINS. THE CARETAKERS OF THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL CARE AND WELL-BEING FOR ALL OF THESE SPECIES. THESE CARETAKERS PROVIDE CONNECTIONS WITH THESE ANIMALS AND PLANTS WITH OUR GUESTS SO THEY CAN BE INSPIRED TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE FOR THE DESERTS OF THE WORLD.
MEMBERSHIP/PARK SERVICES: THE LIVING DESERT HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR ALMOST 54 YEARS. VARIOUS MEMBERSHIPS ARE OFFERED INCLUDING SINGLE, FAMILY, AND OTHER LEVELS, UP TO DONATIVE MEMBERSHIPS. THE LIVING DESERT'S MEMBERSHIPS EXPAND THE GUEST EXPERIENCE TO INCLUDE AN ONGOING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PARK'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS. EACH DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE LIVING DESERT TEAM STRIVES TO ASSURE EXCELLENCE IN THEIR AREA OF EXPERTISE TO PROVIDE OPTIMAL ANIMAL WELL- BEING, PARK PRESERVATION AND MEANINGFUL GUESTS CONNECTIONS. THE EXPERIENCE BEGINS WITH THE EASE OF PARKING AND PARK ENTRY; TO THE ENJOYMENT OF THE ANIMAL AND BOTANICAL COLLECTIONS; TO THE OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY EVENTS. THE LIVING DESERT BRINGS IN AN AUDIENCE FROM AROUND THE WORLD, BUT PARTICULARLY ACROSS THE COACHELLA VALLEY, A REGION NOTED FOR ITS RESORTS AND INFORMAL LEARNING PROCESSES.
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Board, Officers & Key Employees
| Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
Bill Appel Chairman | OfficerTrustee | 2.6 | $0 |
Craig Mccollam Treasurer | OfficerTrustee | 2.1 | $0 |
Sandra Cooper Woodson Secretary | OfficerTrustee | 0.8 | $0 |
Allen Monroe President/ceo & Asst. Sec | OfficerTrustee | 40 | $586,346 |
Jon-Marc Blalock Director | Trustee | 0.5 | $0 |
Deborah Chapman Director | Trustee | 7.3 | $0 |
Outside Vendors & Contractors
| Vendor Name (Service) | Service Year | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
Dw Johnston Construction Inc General Contractor For Tld Crossroads Pr | 6/29/23 | $6,445,867 |
Tianyu Arts And Culture Inc Professional Holiday Lights Services | 6/29/23 | $1,044,588 |
Prest Vuksic Architects Architect For Tld Projects | 6/29/23 | $971,958 |
Cord Media Llc Professional Media Services | 6/29/23 | $578,939 |
Critical Electric Systems Group Llc Electical Contractor For Tld Projects | 6/29/23 | $147,489 |
Financial Statements
| Statement of Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Federated campaigns | $0 |
| Membership dues | $71,155 |
| Fundraising events | $1,513,703 |
| Related organizations | $0 |
| Government grants | $962,635 |
| All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $10,598,011 |
| Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $18,518 |
| Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $13,145,504 |
| Total Program Service Revenue | $14,741,010 |
| Investment income | $1,518,638 |
| Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Net Rental Income | $384,567 |
| Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | -$76,878 |
| Net Income from Fundraising Events | $867,513 |
| Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
| Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
| Total Revenue | $30,580,354 |
| Statement of Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $96,700 |
| Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $14,000 |
| Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $88,724 |
| Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $823,928 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $247,179 |
| Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
| Other salaries and wages | $8,259,166 |
| Pension plan accruals and contributions | $65,802 |
| Other employee benefits | $730,322 |
| Payroll taxes | $614,888 |
| Fees for services: Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Legal | $0 |
| Fees for services: Accounting | $0 |
| Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
| Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
| Fees for services: Investment Management | $198,495 |
| Fees for services: Other | $1,536,952 |
| Advertising and promotion | $577,228 |
| Office expenses | $394,048 |
| Information technology | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Occupancy | $1,120,019 |
| Travel | $252,020 |
| 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 | $3,104,757 |
| Insurance | $201,903 |
| All other expenses | $107,652 |
| Total functional expenses | $20,547,217 |
| Balance Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Cash—non-interest-bearing | $9,661,584 |
| Savings and temporary cash investments | $1,073,336 |
| Pledges and grants receivable | $7,292,990 |
| Accounts receivable, net | $434,136 |
| Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $928,571 |
| Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
| Notes and loans receivable | $1,294,062 |
| Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
| Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $492,673 |
| Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $55,397,994 |
| Investments—publicly traded securities | $68,149,212 |
| Investments—other securities | $0 |
| Investments—program-related | $0 |
| Intangible assets | $0 |
| Other assets | $0 |
| Total assets | $144,724,558 |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $3,685,009 |
| Grants payable | $0 |
| Deferred revenue | $1,534,852 |
| 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 | $49,291 |
| Total liabilities | $5,269,152 |
| Net assets without donor restrictions | $84,231,587 |
| Net assets with donor restrictions | $55,223,819 |
| 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 | $144,724,558 |
Grants Awarded
Over the last fiscal year, The Living Desert has awarded $85,000 in support to 6 organizations.
| Grant Recipient | Amount |
|---|---|
CARNIVORES LIVELIHOODS AND LANDSCAPES USA PURPOSE: ANNUAL DONATION TO ACTION FOR CHEETAHS IN KENYA | $10,000 |
GREATER LOS ANGELES ZOO ASSOCIATION PURPOSE: ANNUAL DONATION TO THE PPRP FROM TLD | $10,000 |
USGS SOUTHWESTERN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE CENTER PURPOSE: DONATION TO USGS IN SUPPORT OF JEFF LOVICH'S WORK ON DESERT TORTOISE CONSERVATION IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY AND OF WESTERN POND TURTLE IN THE MOJAVE RIVER. | $10,000 |
WILD NATURE INSTITUTE PURPOSE: ANNUAL DONATION TO WNI FROM THE LIVING DESERT | $10,000 |
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION NETWORK INC PURPOSE: WCN DONATIONS FOR MULTIPLE CONVERSATION PROGRAMS | $35,000 |
SAHARA CONSERVATION FUND PURPOSE: ANNUAL DONATION TO SAHARA CONSERVATION FUND | $10,000 |