The Living Desert
- Assets
- $126.2m
- Revenue
- $34.6m
- Investments
- $0.0
- Employees
- 242
- Location
- Palm Desert, CA
- Founding
- 08/1979
- Data as of
- 06/2022
- 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 06/2022, Living Desert employed 242 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 06/2022, Living Desert generated $34.6m in total revenue. This organization has experienced exceptional growth, as over the past 7 years, it has increased revenue by an average of 19.7% each year . All expenses for the organization totaled $17.6m during the year ending 06/2022. While expenses have increased by 6.3% per year over the past 7 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 49 individual grants totaling $594,543. 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
2022
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 PROGRAMMING: THE LIVING DESERT IS AN AGENT OF GLOBAL CONSERVATION, WORKING ON 53 PROJECTS IN 11 COUNTRIES WHILE COLLABORATING WITH 70+ IN-COUNTRY PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. WE CONDUCT BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH AND IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS THAT SUCCESSFULLY ENABLE THE CONSERVATION OF MANY DOZENS OF SPECIES, BOTH ON GROUNDS AND IN THE WILD, WHILE ALSO LEADING SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS AT HOME. 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 FIELD TRIPS AND STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH) DAYS. WE OFFER A DIVERSITY OF ENGAGING PROGRAMMING THAT SPARK A PASSION TO CARE FOR THE NATURAL WORLD.
COLLECTIONS: THE PLANTS AND ANIMALS AT THE LIVING DESERT PLAY IMPORTANT ROLES, AS THEY ARE AMBASSADORS FOR THEIR WILD COUNTERPARTS. THE LIVING DESERT MAINTAINS ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE AND EXTENSIVE LIVING COLLECTIONS OF DESERT FLORA AND FAUNA IN THE UNITED STATES. AS ONE OF ONLY TWO ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL PARKS IN THE COUNTRY WITH DESERT CONSERVATION AS ITS MISSION, WE BOAST A LIST OF LIVE INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTS OF ALMOST 600 DESERT ANIMALS OF OVER 152 SPECIES, AND OVER 10,000 DESERT PLANTS OF 1,400 SPECIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD IN OVER 50 DESERT THEMED GARDENS AND HABITATS. THIS IS ALL WITHIN THE LIVING DESERT'S NATURAL SONORAN DESERT SETTING IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE SANTA ROSA MOUNTAINS. THE PLANTS AND ANIMALS AT THE LIVING DESERT PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE, THEY ARE CONSIDERED AMBASSADORS FOR THEIR WILD COUNTERPARTS. THEY ARE HERE TO MAKE A CONNECTION SO THAT THE PEOPLE WHO GET TO "MEET" THEM WILL BE INSPIRED TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE.
MEMBERSHIP / PARK SERVICES: THE LIVING DESERT HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR ALMOST 52 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Allen Monroe President/ceo & Asst. Sec | OfficerTrustee | 40 | $518,400 |
Jan Hawkins Director Of Development | 40 | $134,811 | |
Dwight Middendorf Director Of Finance | 40 | $131,660 | |
James Danoff-Burg Director Of Conservation | 40 | $124,469 | |
Mark Miller Director Of Park Services & Guest Relations | 40 | $124,231 | |
Roxanna Breitigan Director Of Animal Care | 40 | $115,123 |
Outside Vendors & Contractors
| Vendor Name (Service) | Service Year | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
Cord Media Llc Professional Media Services | 6/29/22 | $615,713 |
Work As Play General Contractor For Tld Crossraods Pr | 6/29/22 | $341,380 |
Glmv Architecture Architect For Tld Crossraods Project | 6/29/22 | $327,024 |
Hitech Lights Professional Holiday Lights Services | 6/29/22 | $202,670 |
Dw Johnston Construction Inc General Contractor For Tld Crossroads Pr | 6/29/22 | $13,260,800 |
Financial Statements
| Statement of Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Federated campaigns | $0 |
| Membership dues | $215,935 |
| Fundraising events | $1,488,684 |
| Related organizations | $0 |
| Government grants | $4,984,160 |
| All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $10,368,872 |
| Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $24,520 |
| Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $17,057,651 |
| Total Program Service Revenue | $13,654,263 |
| Investment income | $1,284,089 |
| Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Net Rental Income | $366,214 |
| Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $1,187,608 |
| Net Income from Fundraising Events | $1,013,931 |
| Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
| Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
| Total Revenue | $34,591,756 |
| Statement of Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $138,104 |
| Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $10,500 |
| Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $135,000 |
| Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $558,527 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $167,558 |
| Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
| Other salaries and wages | $6,900,267 |
| Pension plan accruals and contributions | $64,162 |
| Other employee benefits | $530,184 |
| Payroll taxes | $521,649 |
| 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 | $331,975 |
| Fees for services: Other | $1,288,625 |
| Advertising and promotion | $665,482 |
| Office expenses | $332,643 |
| Information technology | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Occupancy | $885,161 |
| Travel | $158,812 |
| 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 | $2,545,712 |
| Insurance | $163,807 |
| All other expenses | $120,079 |
| Total functional expenses | $17,639,418 |
| Balance Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Cash—non-interest-bearing | $8,944,211 |
| Savings and temporary cash investments | $785,111 |
| Pledges and grants receivable | $5,377,612 |
| Accounts receivable, net | $369,150 |
| Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $928,571 |
| Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
| Notes and loans receivable | $160,275 |
| Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
| Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $1,339,795 |
| Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $43,898,241 |
| Investments—publicly traded securities | $64,368,738 |
| Investments—other securities | $0 |
| Investments—program-related | $0 |
| Intangible assets | $0 |
| Other assets | $0 |
| Total assets | $126,171,704 |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $3,040,855 |
| Grants payable | $0 |
| Deferred revenue | $1,659,722 |
| 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 | $0 |
| Total liabilities | $4,700,577 |
| Net assets without donor restrictions | $73,661,386 |
| Net assets with donor restrictions | $47,809,741 |
| 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 | $126,171,704 |
Grants Awarded
Over the last fiscal year, The Living Desert has awarded $130,400 in support to 8 organizations.
| Grant Recipient | Amount |
|---|---|
San Francisco, CA PURPOSE: MULTIPLE DONATIONS TO SUPPORT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS IN AFRICA. E.G. GREVY'S ZEBRA TRUST, PAINTED DOG RESEARCH, CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND, CHEETAH CONSERVATION BOTSWANA, HERO AWARD DONATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE IDCS. | $56,000 |
Fort Worth, TX PURPOSE: THE LIVING DESERT CONSERVATION HERO AWARD DONATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE IDCS | $20,000 |
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 |
Hudsonville, MI PURPOSE: ANNUAL DONATION TO ACTION FOR CHEETAHS IN KENYA IN SUPPORT OF THEIR WORK IN KENYA | $10,000 |
Concord, NH PURPOSE: DONATION TO WILD NATURE INSTITUTE IN SUPPORT OF THEIR WORK TOWARDS CONSERVING AFRICA'S GIANTS IN TANZANIA. | $10,000 |
Los Angeles, CA PURPOSE: DONATION TO THE PENINSULAR PRONGHORN RECOVERY PROJECT IN SUPPORT OF THEIR WORK IN MEXICO | $10,000 |
Grants Recieved
Over the last fiscal year, we have identified 10 grants that The Living Desert has recieved totaling $53,965.
| Awarding Organization | Amount |
|---|---|
Clark Lewis Family Foundation Portland, OR PURPOSE: PROGRAM SUPPORT | $25,000 |
John And Elizabeth Endicott Foundation Indian Wells, CA PURPOSE: SUPPORT | $11,000 |
Clark Lewis Family Foundation Portland, OR PURPOSE: PROGRAM SUPPORT | $8,500 |
Clark Lewis Family Foundation Portland, OR PURPOSE: PROGRAM SUPPORT | $4,665 |
Clark Lewis Family Foundation Portland, OR PURPOSE: PROGRAM SUPPORT | $2,500 |
Youell Family Foundation Snohomish, WA PURPOSE: OPERATING EXPENSE | $1,000 |
Endowment Analysis
| Beg. Balance | $65,624,193 |
| Earnings | -$12,073,834 |
| Admin Expense | $272,860 |
| Net Contributions | $4,053,872 |
| Other Expense | $2,539,120 |
| Ending Balance | $54,792,251 |
Peer Organizations
| Organization Name | Assets | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
Tompkins Conservation San Francisco, CA | $101,073,134 | $21,346,092 |
The Living Desert Palm Desert, CA | $126,171,704 | $34,591,756 |
Sonoma Land Trust Santa Rosa, CA | $48,073,426 | $13,750,403 |
Shasta Land Trust Redding, CA | $1,713,307 | $11,450,498 |
Center For Natural Lands Management Temecula, CA | $268,081,806 | $7,030,474 |
Truckee Donner Land Trust Truckee, CA | $49,860,390 | $8,251,860 |
Wildlands Conservancy Oak Glen, CA | $148,685,880 | $11,621,099 |
Organic Materials Review Institute Eugene, OR | $2,429,450 | $7,163,991 |
Hiipaka Llc Haleiwa, HI | $26,440,527 | $11,083,496 |
Banning Ranch Conservancy Newport Beach, CA | $180,703 | $352,883 |
Arizona Land And Water Trust Inc Tucson, AZ | $19,341,295 | $7,113,905 |
Ala Kahakai Trail Association Kamuela, HI | $15,140,176 | $6,288,942 |