Overview
What is Sempervirens Fund?
Sempervirens Fund is a California-based nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and permanently preserving redwood forests, wildlife habitats, watersheds, and other significant natural and scenic features in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. Through land acquisition and transfer, they secured a conservation easement worth $9.6 million for the YMCA Camp Jones Gulch in La Honda, preserving the largest unprotected stand of old-growth redwoods in the region. They collaborate with willing sellers to purchase land at fair market value, often transferring the land to California State Parks or other local public agencies. The organization also works with private landowners to establish conservation easements, safeguarding natural resources while keeping properties in private ownership. With 19 employees, Sempervirens Fund's mission is to protect and preserve redwood forests and encourage public appreciation and enjoyment of the environment.
Official website here: www.sempervirens.org
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Rating from Charity Navigator: 98% (Four-Star out of Four Star rating)
The Sempervirens Fund has received an impressive 98% rating from Charity Navigator, highlighting its strong commitment to accountability and finance. The organization boasts a perfect score in financial oversight, emphasizing its fiscal responsibility and effective use of donations, with over 76% of its expenses directed towards programs. The majority of its board members are independent, ensuring that decisions are made with integrity and transparency, which is crucial in building donor trust.
User reviews reflect a deep appreciation for the Sempervirens Fund's ongoing efforts to preserve and protect the redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Donors and volunteers alike commend the organization for its effective communication regarding projects and successes. Many users express their emotional connections to the redwoods, noting that the Fund plays a vital role in ensuring these natural treasures are preserved for future generations. The organization is recognized not only for its conservation work but also for fostering community engagement through educational programs and volunteer opportunities.
While feedback is overwhelmingly positive, a few reviews hint at a desire for even more transparency in how funds are allocated towards specific projects. Overall, the Sempervirens Fund is regarded as a reputable and effective nonprofit, dedicated to environmental stewardship and the conservation of California's iconic redwood ecosystems.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator and Great Nonprofits.
What do the Facebook reviews say about Sempervirens Fund?
84% of reviewers on Facebook recommend the Sempervirens Fund, indicating a generally positive reception. The feedback highlights a deep appreciation for the organization's mission to protect and restore natural environments. One reviewer expressed a passionate belief in the importance of teaching future generations to respect nature, suggesting that the organization not only focuses on conservation but also on education and community engagement.
While the sample size is small, the sentiments conveyed reflect a strong support for the Fund's initiatives aimed at environmental preservation. Those who recommend Sempervirens Fund seem to value its efforts and resonate with its goals, emphasizing the importance of allowing nature to thrive and instilling a respect for the earth in the younger generations.
Overall, the organization appears to deliver on its promise to engage the community in its mission while promoting awareness of environmental issues, ultimately earning the trust and support of its advocates.
This AI summary has been generated from reviews found on Facebook.
Is Sempervirens Fund legitimate?
Sempervirens Fund is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Sempervirens Fund submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.
Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:
Executive Compensation: $1,077,242
Professional Fundraising Fees: $94,895
Other Salaries and Wages: $1,251,652
For more financial information, click here
Official website here: www.sempervirens.org
What is the mission statement of Sempervirens Fund?
The Sempervirens Fund is dedicated to preserving redwood forests, wildlife habitats, watersheds, and other natural features in California's Santa Cruz Mountains. The organization's mission is to protect and permanently conserve these important ecosystems, encouraging public appreciation and enjoyment of the environment. In fiscal year 2023, they secured a conservation easement worth $9.6 million for a 920-acre property, protecting the largest remaining stand of old-growth redwoods in the region. They also acquired two parcels of land near Big Basin Redwoods State Park, enhancing the connection between the park and a gateway property. Through land acquisition and restoration efforts, the Sempervirens Fund ensures that these forests will not be developed, degraded, or destroyed. They work with willing sellers to purchase land at fair market value and transfer it to public agencies, sometimes recording impairment write-offs. The organization also owns significant conservation properties, working to restore healthy forests and landscapes. They collaborate with private landowners to establish conservation easements, protecting natural resources while keeping properties in private ownership.
Official website here: www.sempervirens.org
Who is the CEO of Sempervirens Fund?
Sara Barth is the Executive Director of Sempervirens Fund.
Official website here: www.sempervirens.org
What is the revenue of Sempervirens Fund?
Sempervirens Fund's revenue in 2023 was $12,822,982.
Official website here: www.sempervirens.org
Who are the executives of Sempervirens Fund and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at Sempervirens Fund during 2023 was $122,573. There are 19 employees and 100 volunteers at Sempervirens Fund.
Here are 20 key members and their salaries:
- Compensation: $251,427
- Related: $0
- Other: $22,414
- Compensation: $190,222
- Related: $0
- Other: $33,117
- Compensation: $170,288
- Related: $0
- Other: $15,200
- Compensation: $157,704
- Related: $0
- Other: $23,467
- Compensation: $126,144
- Related: $0
- Other: $15,292
- Compensation: $113,700
- Related: $0
- Other: $18,546
- Compensation: $109,556
- Related: $0
- Other: $22,565
- Compensation: $100,272
- Related: $0
- Other: $16,372
- Compensation: $0
- Related: $0
- Other: $0
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- Other: $0
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Official website here: www.sempervirens.org
Where can I find the form 990 for Sempervirens Fund?
Sempervirens Fund's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2023 and can be accessed here.
Official website here: www.sempervirens.org
Learn more at the official website: www.sempervirens.org
Mission Statement of Sempervirens Fund
Sempervirens Fund, a dedicated organization, is on a mission to protect and permanently preserve redwood forests, wildlife habitats, watersheds, and other significant natural and scenic features in California's Santa Cruz Mountains. The group seeks to encourage public appreciation and enjoyment of this environment.
In the past year, Sempervirens Fund made significant strides in achieving its goals. Through acquisitions and conservation easements, the organization protected over 9,775 acres of land in Fiscal Year 2023. One notable achievement was the conservation easement for the 920-acre YMCA Camp Jones Gulch in La Honda, which protected the largest unprotected stand of old-growth redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Additionally, Sempervirens Fund acquired two land parcels totaling 15.6 acres, strengthening the connection between Big Basin Redwoods State Park and a gateway property acquired in Fiscal Year 2022.
Sempervirens Fund's efforts extend beyond purchasing land; they work with willing sellers to transfer the land to California State Parks or other local public agencies, sometimes receiving below market value in return. In Fiscal Year 2024, the organization plans to sell six parcels of land to state parks at an impaired value, requiring a land impairment write-off of $2,945,966 in Fiscal Year 2023.
Moreover, Sempervirens Fund owns significant conservation properties, where they work to restore healthy forests and landscapes. The organization also collaborates with private landowners to establish conservation easements, protecting the natural and scenic resources on their forest lands while maintaining private ownership. This approach ensures the preservation of the land without buying fee title to the property itself.
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Impact
October, 2024
Sempervirens Fund has notably advanced the protection and preservation of the Santa Cruz redwood forest habitat. In fiscal year 2023, the organization secured a significant conservation easement valued at $9,625,000 for the expansive 920-acre YMCA Camp Jones Gulch in La Honda, California. This area included the largest unprotected stand of old-growth redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains, showcasing the Fund's commitment to safeguarding critical ecosystems.
Additionally, Sempervirens Fund acquired two land parcels totaling 15.6 acres near Big Basin Redwoods State Park, enhancing the connectivity between the park and previously acquired lands. By purchasing and restoring land, the Fund ensures that these irreplaceable redwood forests are protected from development and degradation, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts with willing sellers and public agencies.
Furthermore, the Fund actively supports private landowners in establishing conservation easements, which protect natural and scenic resources while maintaining private ownership. This dual approach of acquisition and easements strengthens conservation efforts, ensuring that the ecological integrity of the Santa Cruz Mountains is preserved for future generations. Through these initiatives, Sempervirens Fund promotes public appreciation and enjoyment of the unique environment of California's coastal redwood forests.
This information is meant to be a general summary of Sempervirens Fund. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.
Financials
This financial information is from Propublica.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2023.
- Investment Income: $106,160
- Gross Receipts: $15,847,313
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $38,420,145
- Total Liabilities: $2,892,118
- Net Assets: $35,528,027
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Organization Details
Founding Year
1906
Phone
(650) 949-1453Principal Officer
Sara Barth
Main Address
PO BOX 1417, LOS ALTOS, CA, 940231417
Website
www.sempervirens.orgNTEE Category
Code: C340 - Environment
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