Thanks to our members, friends, and our supportive community

 

Thanks to our members, friends, and our supportive community, 2023 was a significant year of growth for the Licking Land Trust. The Trust continues to share its mission and activities through newsletters, its website, social media, and in-person events. The organization's financial strength and achievements for fiscal year 2023 are highlighted below.

Total Income: The Trust's total income for 2023 was $87,728.

Primary Revenue Sources

  • Dues and Member Gifts were the largest source of income, totaling $45,521 (51.9% of total revenue).

  • Major Fundraising Initiatives (Farm-to-Fork and the Pollinator Pathway native plant sale) raised a combined $42,317 (48.0% of total revenue).

  • Investment interest, dividends, and other miscellaneous gifts contributed the remaining $70 (0.1% of income).

On the expense side for fiscal year 2023, the Licking Land Trust (LLT) expended a total of $76,883. This total includes prorated staff time across all categories.

Expenses by Category

  • Mission-Related Programs: Expenses for conservation, education, and engagement with other environmental organizations totaled $29,419 (38.3% of total expenses).

  • Office and Administrative Expenses: Largely fixed costs, these totaled $26,434 (34.4% of total expenses).

  • Fundraising Activities: Total costs for both fundraising events amounted to 18.5% of total expenses, which is a combined $14,225.

    • Farm-to-Fork Fundraiser: Expenses were $11,736, resulting in a net gain of $25,695 from this event.

    • Pollinator Pathway Native Plant Sale: Expenses were $2,489, netting revenues of $2,217.

  • Membership Communications and Development: These costs, which are heavily based on staff time, were $6,805 (8.9% of total expenses).

The Licking Land Trust's total assets at year-end 2023 were $864,498.

Of note in 2023, LLT received a one-time donor restricted gift dedicated to the stewardship and legal defense expenses related to a large, new and complicated conservation easement that LLT acquired at the end of 2022, known as the Riverwood property. These costs were estimated using a standard formula developed by the Nature Conservancy and accepted by the independent land trust accrediting agency, the Land Trust Alliance. These funds are maintained and tracked in a separate fund. 

The financial statements of the Licking Land Trust are compiled on a monthly basis and reviewed by the Board's Finance Committee, which forwards approved reports to the full Board for its members' review and approval. The Finance Committee provides guidance to the Treasurer and recommendations to the Board concerning operating budget, investments, reporting, and other financial matters. The Trust's annual external financial compilation and its 990 federal tax form are overseen by C.P.A. Matthew J. Bagent of the firm of Dixon, Davis, Bagent & Co. of Granville, Ohio. These documents are available for review upon request.