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TUCSON CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY

TUCSON, AZ · EIN 860372531 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE C42 · Environment · Small ($100K-$1M) · tucsoncactus.org
revenue
$133K
expenses
$113K
net assets
$376K
employees
0
volunteers
1,904
program ratio
66%
mission · from form 990

THE TUCSON CACTUS AND SUCCULENT SOCIETY, INC MISSION IS LEARNING, TEACHING AND CONSERVATION OF CACTI AND OTHER SUCCULENTS FOR THE BENFIT OF ALL OF OUR MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society (TCSS) rescues native cacti and succulents from development sites and private properties in Southern Arizona, relocating them to public spaces or selling them to support conservation and education. The organization operates Pima Prickly Park, an 8-acre public garden maintained in partnership with Pima County, and hosts educational programs and monthly meetings for members and the public. TCSS focuses on preserving native plant species, promoting water-efficient landscaping, and fostering community engagement in desert conservation.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2022

what they reported doing

Program narrative the organization filed with the IRS. Ordered by program spending.

  1. #1 primary $10K
    SPECIAL EVENT FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES
named programs · 4 · from sources

what they call their work

Coteco Biological Preserve Support
Provides financial and logistical support for the preservation of a 500-acre cactus-rich ecosystem in Sonora, Mexico, focusing on the culturally significant organ pipe cactus
Native Cactus Rescue
Salvages native cacti from development sites including road construction, utilities, schools, and private developments; plants are relocated to Pima Prickly Park, given to volunteers, or sold at public sales
Pima Prickly Park
8-acre public park in Tucson maintained in partnership with Pima County, featuring themed gardens and serving as a conservation and education site for native cacti and succulents
Urban Cactus Rescue
Rescues cacti and succulents from private homeowners undergoing landscape changes or relocation; prioritizes plants that can be safely moved and benefits the club's collection or sales
activities · 9 groups

what they do

  • Cactus & Native Plant Rescue and Replanting 10 activities
    • Ensure Compliance with Native Plant Regulations
      Acquires correct tags and permits for saguaro and native plant rescues to comply with State laws.
    • Ensure Compliance with Native Plant Rescue Regulations
      Acquires correct tags and permits for saguaro and native plant rescues to comply with State laws.
    • Ensure Compliance with Native Plant Rescue Regulations
      Acquires correct tags and permits for saguaro and native plant rescues to comply with State laws, coordinating with developers and the State of Arizona for native plant removal permits.
    • Ensures legal compliance for plant rescues
      Acquires proper tags and state-issued native plant removal permits for saguaro and other native plant rescues to comply with Arizona laws.
    • Maintain Pima Prickly Park
      Maintains Pima Prickly Park, an 8-acre public park, in partnership with Pima County Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation. This includes planting special rescued cacti, organizing workdays, and deploying volunteers to assist visitors and answer plant-related questions.
    • Maintain Pima Prickly Park
      Maintains Pima Prickly Park, an 8-acre public park, in partnership with Pima County Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation. This includes planting special rescued cacti, organizing workdays, and deploying volunteers to assist visitors and answer plant-related questions.
    • Maintains and enhances Pima Prickly Park
      Co-manages an 8-acre public park in partnership with Pima County Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation, including planting rescued special cacti, organizing workdays, and deploying volunteers to assist visitors and answer plant-related questions.
    • Operate Cactus and Succulent Rescue Programs
      Operates Native Cactus Rescue and Urban Cactus Rescue programs to salvage native plants from development sites and homeowners' properties. Rescued plants are either re-homed with volunteers, transplanted to Pima Prickly Park, or sold to the public to promote native plant use and conservation. The program has rescued over 137,500 plants.
    • Operate Cactus and Succulent Rescue Programs
      Operates Native and Urban Cactus Rescue programs that salvage native plants from development sites and homeowners' properties. Volunteers dig up and move rescued cacti, which are then transplanted to Pima Prickly Park, distributed to volunteers, or sold at plant sales to promote native plant use and conservation. The program has rescued over 137,500 plants.
    • Operates plant rescue programs for native and urban cacti
      Runs a Native Cactus Rescue program that salvages native plants from development sites and an Urban Cactus Rescue program that responds to homeowner requests to save cacti and succulents. Volunteers conduct scouting, secure state permits, and physically rescue plants, with over 137,500 plants rescued to date.
  • Horticultural Exhibitions and Plant Sales 4 activities
    • Conduct Plant Sales
      Hosts plant sales featuring rescued cacti and other plant materials, accepting various payment methods, and selling merchandise and memberships during these events.
    • Host Plant Sales
      Hosts plant sales featuring rescued cacti and other plant materials, accepting various payment methods and selling merchandise and memberships during these events.
    • Hosts plant sales and sells merchandise
      Organizes plant sales featuring rescued cacti and other plant materials, accepting cash, checks, and credit cards. Also sells merchandise and memberships at checkout during these events.
    • Organize Plant Sales and Auctions
      Hosts plant sales featuring rescued cacti and other plant materials, and holds annual silent auctions. These events also sell merchandise and memberships.
  • Community Garden Events & Tours 4 activities
    • Organize Member Garden Tours
      Organizes garden tours for members to various locations, including Pima Prickly Park and other local gardens.
    • Organize Member Garden Tours and Silent Auctions
      Organizes garden tours for members and holds annual silent auctions.
    • Organize Member Garden Tours and Silent Auctions
      Organizes garden tours for members and holds annual silent auctions.
    • Organizes member activities and field trips
      Arranges garden tours, field trips to Pima Prickly Park and other local gardens, and annual silent auctions for members. Also offers pre-meeting sessions to inform members about club committees and volunteer opportunities.
  • Technical Support Services 4 activities
    • Provide Technical Support
      Operates a Technical Support Team that addresses technology issues and supports the organization's digital operations.
    • Provide Technical Support
      Operates a Technical Support Team that addresses technology issues and supports the organization's digital operations.
    • Provide Technical Support for Organizational Operations
      Operates a Technical Support Team that addresses technology issues and supports the organization's digital operations.
    • Provides technical and digital support for operations
      Operates a Technical Support Team that resolves technology issues and maintains the organization’s digital infrastructure.
  • Member-Focused Newsletter Publishing 4 activities
    • Publish Monthly Newsletter
      Publishes a monthly newsletter containing information about presentations, a message from the President, and announcements of upcoming events for its members.
    • Publish Monthly Newsletter
      Publishes a monthly newsletter containing information about presentations, a message from the President, and announcements of upcoming events.
    • Publish Monthly Newsletter
      Publishes a monthly newsletter containing information about presentations, a message from the President, and announcements of upcoming events.
    • Publishes a monthly newsletter for members
      Distributes a monthly newsletter containing information about upcoming presentations, a message from the President, and announcements of events and programs.
  • Land Acquisition and Preserve Management 4 activities
    • Support Coteco Biological Preserve
      Covers preservation and maintenance costs for the Coteco Biological Preserve in Sonora, Mexico, and conducts evaluations of its fencing and habitat.
    • Support Coteco Biological Preserve
      Covers preservation and maintenance costs for the Coteco Biological Preserve in Sonora, Mexico, and conducts evaluations of its fencing stability and habitat.
    • Support Coteco Biological Preserve
      Covers preservation and maintenance costs for the Coteco Biological Preserve in Sonora, Mexico, and conducts evaluations of its fencing and habitat.
    • Supports international conservation efforts
      Covers preservation and maintenance costs for the Coteco Biological Preserve in Sonora, Mexico, and sends members to evaluate habitat conditions. Confirmed intact fencing, abundant organ pipe cacti, and competent management during a 2019 visit.
  • Nature-Based Environmental Education Programs 3 activities
    • Conduct Educational Outreach for K-12 Students
      Provides hands-on learning experiences for K-12 students through its Educational Outreach Program. Volunteers visit schools to teach about Sonoran Desert ecology, water conservation, and sustainable landscaping, donate plants for school gardens, organize field trips, and support science fair projects.
    • Provide Educational Outreach to K-12 Students
      Offers hands-on learning experiences for K-12 students through its Educational Outreach Program, including school visits to teach about Sonoran Desert ecology, water conservation, and sustainable landscaping, donating plants for school gardens, organizing field trips, and providing educational materials and science fair support.
    • Provides educational outreach to schools and youth
      Delivers hands-on learning experiences for K-12 students through classroom visits, teaching about Sonoran Desert ecology, water conservation, and sustainable landscaping. Donates cacti and succulents for school gardens and supports science fair projects with educational materials.
  • Member Luncheons & Educational Events 3 activities
    • Host Monthly Meetings and Educational Programs
      Hosts monthly in-person and virtual meetings featuring informative programs, raffles, door prizes, refreshments, and free plant distribution to members. These meetings also include pre-meeting opportunities to learn about club committees and volunteer opportunities.
    • Host Monthly Meetings and Educational Programs
      Hosts monthly in-person and virtual meetings featuring informative programs, raffles, door prizes, refreshments, and free plant distribution to members. These meetings also include pre-meeting opportunities to learn about club committees and volunteer opportunities.
    • Hosts monthly educational meetings with member engagement
      Conducts monthly in-person and virtual meetings from January through November featuring informative programs, raffles, door prizes, refreshments, and free plant distributions to members. Virtual attendees are eligible for a raffle prize of a $25 gift certificate to local nurseries.
  • Uncategorized 4 activities
    • Maintain a Member Library
      Maintains an extensive private library of books, streaming videos, and periodicals focused on cacti and succulents for members to check out at organizational meetings.
    • Maintains a library resource for members
      Operates a private library with books, streaming videos, and periodicals focused on cacti and succulents, offering books for checkout at organizational meetings.
    • Operate a Member Library
      Maintains an extensive private library of books, streaming videos, and periodicals focused on cacti and succulents for members to check out at organizational meetings.
    • Operate a Member Library
      Maintains an extensive library of books, streaming videos, and periodicals focused on cacti and succulents, available for checkout by members at organizational meetings.
financials · form 990 · fy2022
revenue
Total revenue$133K
Contributions & grants$52K39%
Program service revenue$81K61%
Investment income$2080%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$113K
Program expenses66%
Admin / overhead34%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$15K
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$376K
Cash$376K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$376K
Liquid reserves40.0 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue -50.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

board members · 12
  • BRAD HAECKEL — DIRECTOR
  • CATHY ROBSON — TREASURER
  • CRYSTAL CANNON — DIRECTOR
  • JESSIE BYRD — DIRECTOR
  • KEIMPE BRONKHORST — DIRECTOR
  • LINDA HEISLEY — DIRECTOR
  • MONICA WNUK — SECRETARY
  • PENNY MILLER — DIRECTOR
  • PETER ERTMAN — DIRECTOR
  • RICHARD WIEDHOPF — PRESIDENT
  • STEVE WATTS — DIRECTOR
  • VONN WATKINS — VICE PRESIDE
relationships · 9

who they work with

  • Alberto Búrquez Partner — Mexican ecologist who traveled with TCSS members to the Coteco Preserve.
  • Amphi Land Lab Partner — Hosts TCSS plant storage area and sales events at its facility.
  • David Yetman Partner — Ethnobotanist who traveled with TCSS members to the Coteco Preserve and recognized the value of the ecosystem.
  • Justino Flores Partner — Resident of the Mayo community of Massiaca who guided the group touring the Coteco Preserve.
  • Pima County Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation Partner — Maintains Pima Prickly Park in partnership with TCSS and has a 15-year operating agreement for the park.
  • Pima Prickly Park Partner — Organizes field trips for students to the park.
  • Pima Prickly Park Partner — Transplants some rescued cacti to Pima Prickly Park.
  • St. Philip's in the Hills Episcopal Church Partner — Hosts the organization's monthly meetings at the Murphey Gallery.
  • State of Arizona Government — Works with the State of Arizona to secure native plant removal permits and tags for cactus rescues.