Thanks to our members, friends, and our supportive community

 

Thanks to our members, friends, and our supportive community 2024 was another year of growth on many fronts. The Trust shares its mission and activities through newsletters, its website and social media postings, and in person events. The organization’s financial status and achievements are summarized in its Annual Report, presented here for fiscal year 2024. 


The Licking Land Trust (LLT) saw continued financial growth in 2024, with total income reaching $101,306.

Primary Revenue Sources

  • Member Support: The largest portion of revenue came from dues and member gifts, totaling $53,243 (52.6% of total income).

  • Fundraising & Grants: Fundraising initiatives and grant awards accounted for a significant amount of revenue:

    • Major Fundraising: The annual Farm-to-Fork celebration and the non-grant-supported native plant sale raised a combined $47,470 (46.9% of total revenue).

    • New Initiative: LLT acted as a fiscal sponsor for the Pollinator Pathway of Licking County and secured a Denison Venture Philanthropy Grant. These funds will support educational activities for replacing invasive Bradford Pears with native trees.

  • Other Income: Investment interest, dividends, and other miscellaneous gifts contributed $593 (0.6% of income).

In 2024, the Licking Land Trust (LLT) expended a total of $99,725. This total includes prorated staff time across all operational categories.

Expense by Category

  • Office and Administrative Expenses: These fixed and operating costs were the largest expense category, totaling $39,015 (39.1% of total expenses).

  • Mission-Related Programs: Expenses for conservation, education, and collaboration with other environmental organizations amounted to $36,289 (36.4% of total expenses).

    • This figure includes $6,500 specifically spent on the grant-funded Pollinator Pathway invasive Bradford Pear Bounty Project.

  • Fundraising Activities: These costs accounted for 14.7% of total expenses, which is a combined $14,704.

    • Farm-to-Fork Fundraiser: Expenses were $14,704, resulting in a net gain of $26,205 from this event.

    • Native Plant Sale: This collaboration with Pollinator Pathway was a separate fundraiser that generated $3,810 in net revenue (plant sale expenses are included in the overall $14,704 fundraising total).

Membership Communications and Development: Costs associated with staff time for member communication and development totaled $9,717 (9.7% of expenses).

The Licking Land Trust's total assets at year-end 2024 were $915,833.

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.