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DESERT FOOTHILLS LAND TRUST

CAVE CREEK, AZ · EIN 860677917 · Form 990 · FY2020 · NTEE C340 · Environment · Medium ($1M-$10M) · www.dflt.org
revenue
$1.9M
expenses
$293K
net assets
$14.1M
employees
3
volunteers
50
program ratio
50%
mission · from form 990

ESTABLISHED TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE UNIQUE AND SENSITIVE LAND AREAS OF THE SONORAN DESERT FOOTHILLS COMPRISE OF THE CAREFREE, CAVE CREEK, NEW RIVER, ANTHEM, NORTH SCOTTSDALE AND NORTH PHOENIX COMMUNITIES.

profile · synthesized from sources

Desert Foothills Land Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving sensitive lands and species in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. Founded in 1991, it works with local communities to protect open spaces and promote stewardship through volunteer engagement and educational initiatives. The organization has conserved nearly 1,100 acres across 29 preserves, many of which are accessible for public recreation.

named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Community Education
Offers educational programs and events to raise awareness about conservation and the local ecosystem.
Land Stewardship
Involves maintaining the beauty and safety of preserves through volunteer efforts and community engagement.
Volunteer Programs
Engages community members in various roles, including trail ambassadors, hike leaders, and event support.
activities · 6 groups

what they do

  • Nature-Based Environmental Education Programs 9 activities
    • Environmental Education and Community Engagement
      Provides educational experiences through guided group tours of its preserves, sharing knowledge about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem and conservation, and operates educational booths at community events to raise awareness and lead interactive nature activities.
    • Environmental Education and Outreach
      Provides educational experiences through guided group tours of its preserves, sharing knowledge about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem, local history, and conservation efforts. The organization also operates educational booths at community events to raise awareness and leads interactive nature activities.
    • Environmental Education and Outreach
      Provides educational experiences through guided group tours of its preserves, sharing knowledge about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem, local history, and conservation efforts, and operates educational booths at community events.
    • Environmental Education and Outreach
      Provides educational experiences through guided group tours of its preserves, sharing knowledge about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem, local history, and conservation efforts. The organization also operates educational booths at community events to raise awareness and lead interactive nature activities, and provides trail ambassadors to enhance visitor experience.
    • Environmental Education and Outreach
      Provides educational experiences through guided group tours of its preserves, sharing knowledge about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem, local history, and conservation efforts, and operates educational booths at community events.
    • Environmental Education and Outreach
      Provides educational experiences through guided group tours of its preserves, sharing knowledge about the Sonoran Desert ecosystem, and operates educational booths at community events to raise awareness and lead interactive nature activities.
    • Public Education and Engagement
      Offers guided tours through its preserves to educate groups on the Sonoran Desert ecosystem, local history, and conservation. The organization also operates educational booths at community events and provides trail ambassadors to enhance visitor experience and share information on trails and local ecosystems.
    • Volunteer Engagement and Support
      Engages volunteers, including board members and trail ambassadors, to support various organizational functions such as preserve maintenance, visitor assistance, and event logistics.
    • Volunteer Engagement and Support
      Engages volunteers, including board members and Land Stewards, to maintain preserves, assist visitors, and support various events throughout the year.
  • Planned Giving & Conservation Easement Outreach 9 activities
    • Landowner Conservation Easement Information
      Provides informational flyers to landowners regarding conservation easements and enhanced tax incentives for land conservation.
    • Landowner Conservation Easement Information
      Provides informational flyers to landowners regarding conservation easements and associated enhanced tax incentives.
    • Planned Giving Program
      Accepts planned gifts, including bequests, real estate donations, life estates, qualified retirement plan assets, and life insurance policies, to support desert conservation efforts.
    • Planned Giving and Financial Support for Conservation
      Accepts planned gifts, such as bequests, real estate donations, and life insurance policies, to support desert conservation efforts.
    • Planned Giving and Landowner Information
      Accepts planned gifts, including bequests and real estate donations, to support desert conservation. It also provides informational flyers about conservation easements and enhanced tax incentives for landowners.
    • Planned Giving and Landowner Information
      Accepts planned gifts, including bequests and real estate donations, to support desert conservation. It also provides informational flyers to landowners about conservation easements and associated tax incentives.
    • Planned Giving and Landowner Information
      Accepts planned gifts, including real estate and bequests, to support desert conservation and provides informational flyers to landowners about conservation easements and enhanced tax incentives.
    • Planned Giving and Landowner Information
      Accepts planned gifts, including bequests and real estate donations, to support desert conservation. The organization also provides informational flyers about conservation easements and enhanced tax incentives for landowners.
    • Planned Giving and Landowner Information
      Accepts planned gifts, including various asset types, to support desert conservation and provides informational flyers about conservation easements and enhanced tax incentives for landowners.
  • Perpetual Land Stewardship & Monitoring 6 activities
    • Land Conservation and Stewardship
      Permanently protects and stewards sensitive land in the Sonoran Desert, having conserved nearly 1,100 acres across 29 preserves since 1991, maintaining them in their natural state.
    • Land Conservation and Stewardship
      Permanently protects and stewards sensitive land in the Sonoran Desert, having conserved nearly 1,100 acres across 29 preserves since 1991, ensuring they remain in their natural state.
    • Land Conservation and Stewardship
      Permanently protects and stewards sensitive land in the Sonoran Desert, conserving nearly 1,100 acres across 29 preserves to remain in their natural state. This includes maintaining the beauty and safety of these preserves through tasks like trash removal and trail maintenance.
    • Land Conservation and Stewardship
      Permanently protects and stewards sensitive land in the Sonoran Desert, having conserved nearly 1,100 acres across 29 preserves since 1991, ensuring they remain in their natural state.
    • Land Conservation and Stewardship
      Permanently protects and stewards sensitive land in the Sonoran Desert, conserving nearly 1,100 acres across 29 preserves to remain in their natural state. This includes maintaining the beauty and safety of these preserves through tasks like trash removal and trail maintenance.
    • Land Conservation and Stewardship
      Permanently protects and stewards sensitive land in the Sonoran Desert, having conserved nearly 1,100 acres across 29 preserves since 1991. Many of these preserves are open to the public for recreation and exploration, with maintained trails and regular upkeep by Land Stewards.
  • General Volunteer Support Services 3 activities
    • Volunteer Engagement and Event Hosting
      Engages volunteers, including board members, to support various organizational activities, including maintaining preserves and assisting with event setup, registration, and sales for events hosted throughout the year.
    • Volunteer Engagement for Events
      Utilizes volunteers for various tasks, including event setup, teardown, registration, sales, and parking logistics, to support its hosted events throughout the year.
    • Volunteer Engagement for Events
      Utilizes volunteers for various tasks at events, including setup, teardown, registration, sales, and parking logistics.
  • Visitor Education & Trail Support Services 2 activities
    • Visitor Engagement and Support
      Deploys trail ambassadors to welcome visitors, provide information on trails and local ecosystems, and enhance the visitor experience on its preserves.
    • Visitor Engagement and Support
      Deploys trail ambassadors to welcome visitors, provide information on trails and local ecosystems, and enhance the visitor experience on its preserves. The organization also hosts various events throughout the year, utilizing volunteers for logistical support.
  • Uncategorized 6 activities
    • Public Access and Recreation
      Maintains many of its preserves, including specific trails at Jewel of the Creek Preserve, PA Seitts Preserve at Go John Canyon, and Saguaro Hill, open to the public for exploration and recreation.
    • Public Access and Recreation Management
      Maintains many of its preserves, including specific trails at Jewel of the Creek Preserve, PA Seitts Preserve at Go John Canyon, and Saguaro Hill, open to the public for exploration and recreation. The organization also prohibits commercial activities on its preserves without prior written approval.
    • Public Access and Recreation Management
      Maintains many of its preserves, including specific trails at Jewel of the Creek Preserve, PA Seitts Preserve at Go John Canyon, and Saguaro Hill, open to the public for exploration and recreation, while prohibiting commercial activities without prior approval.
    • Public Access and Recreation Management
      Maintains many of its preserves, including specific trails at Jewel of the Creek Preserve, PA Seitts Preserve at Go John Canyon, and Saguaro Hill, open to the public for exploration and recreation, while prohibiting commercial activities without approval.
    • Public Access and Recreation Management
      Maintains many of its preserves, including specific trails at Jewel of the Creek Preserve, PA Seitts Preserve at Go John Canyon, and Saguaro Hill, to be open to the public for exploration and recreation, enhancing visitor experience with trail ambassadors.
    • Public Access and Recreation Management
      Maintains many of its preserves, including specific trails at Jewel of the Creek Preserve, PA Seitts Preserve at Go John Canyon, and Saguaro Hill, open to the public for exploration and recreation. The organization also prohibits commercial activities on its preserves without prior written approval.
financials · form 990 · fy2020
revenue
Total revenue$1.89M
Contributions & grants$1.79M95%
Program service revenue$5K0%
Investment income$91K5%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$293K
Program expenses50%
Admin / overhead32%
Fundraising18%
Salaries & benefits$164K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$14.13M
Cash$541K
Investments$1.44M
Liabilities$45K
Net assets$14.08M
Liquid reserves81.0 mo
1 years on record · 2020–2020
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
VICKI PRESTON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $86K
board members · 12
  • ALAN SUSSNA — DIRECTOR
  • BARBARA GLENN — DIRECTOR
  • BILL OELMAN — DIRECTOR
  • BRIAN BUTLER — DIRECTOR, SECRETARY
  • EILEEN TALTY — DIRECTOR, TREASURER
  • JOHN CRANE — DIRECTOR, VICE CHAIRMAN
  • MARY JAMES — DIRECTOR
  • PATTI TOWNSEND — DIRECTOR
  • PETER BURNS — DIRECTOR
  • REG MONACHINO — DIRECTOR
  • RICHARD BURNS — DIRECTOR, CHAIRMAN
  • TINA LEAZIER — DIRECTOR
relationships · 7

who they work with

  • Cave Creek Improvement Association Partner — Initially formed as a result of the vision of the Cave Creek Improvement Association.
  • Foothills Community Foundation Partner — Formed with the support of the Foothills Community Foundation.
  • Internal Revenue Service Government — Relies on IRS regulations enabling enhanced tax incentives for conservation easements.
  • Land Trust Accreditation Commission Partner — Accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission in 2010.
  • Land Trust Accreditation Commission Partner — Awarded the Land Trust re-accreditation in 2022.
  • Land Trust Alliance Network — Member of the national land conservation community's voice.
  • Sue Force Partner — Chief Development Officer who can be contacted to discuss planned giving options.