WEST CREEK CONSERVANCY: Form 990, tax year 2023

View the entire original 990 at ProPublica ↗

Organization
WEST CREEK CONSERVANCY (EIN 34-1859064)
Tax period
2023-01-01 to 2023-12-31
Filed
2024-11-08
IRS object ID
202443139349303069
Schema version
2023v5.0
Source
Download XML · Original 990 at ProPublica

Every field in the e-filed return. Faint text is the IRS element name, for citing.

Return header ReturnHeader

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Return2024-11-08T14:23:48-05:00ReturnTs
Tax Period End2023-12-31TaxPeriodEndDt

Preparer Firm PreparerFirmGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Preparer Firm EIN341602442PreparerFirmEIN

Preparer Firm Name PreparerFirmName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1H & J CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS INCBusinessNameLine1Txt

Preparer US Address PreparerUSAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line17555 FREDLE DR STE 110AddressLine1Txt
CityCONCORDCityNm
State AbbreviationOHStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP44077ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Return Type990ReturnTypeCd
Tax Period Begin2023-01-01TaxPeriodBeginDt

Filer Filer

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
EIN341859064EIN

Business Name BusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1WEST CREEK CONSERVANCYBusinessNameLine1Txt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name ControlWESTBusinessNameControlTxt
Phone2167493720PhoneNum

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line17381 CAMELOT DRAddressLine1Txt
CityPARMACityNm
State AbbreviationOHStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP441347113ZIPCd

Business Officer BusinessOfficerGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
PersonDEREK C SCHAFERPersonNm
Person TitleEXECUTIVE DIRECTORPersonTitleTxt
Phone2167493720PhoneNum
Signature2024-11-05SignatureDt
Discuss With Paid PreparerYes (true)DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
IRS Responsible Prty Info CurrYes (true)IRSResponsiblePrtyInfoCurrInd

Preparer Person PreparerPersonGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Preparer PersonROLLAND B STANDISHPreparerPersonNm
PTINP00169705PTIN
Phone4409512997PhoneNum
Preparation2024-11-06PreparationDt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Tax2023TaxYr
Build TS2024-10-15 13:58:12ZBuildTS

Form 990 IRS990

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Principal OfficerDEREK C SCHAFERPrincipalOfficerNm

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line17381 CAMELOT DRAddressLine1Txt
CityPARMACityNm
State AbbreviationOHStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP441347113ZIPCd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Gross Receipts$13,058,489GrossReceiptsAmt
Group Return For AffiliatesfalseGroupReturnForAffiliatesInd
Organization501c3Yes (X)Organization501c3Ind
Website AddressWESTCREEK.ORGWebsiteAddressTxt
Type Of Organization CorpYes (X)TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd
Formation2000FormationYr
Legal Domicile StateOHLegalDomicileStateCd
Activity Or MissionOUR MISSION IS TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF ALL PEOPLE IN NORTHEAST OHIO BY CONSERVING NATURAL HABITATS, RESTORING THE ECOLOGICAL VALUE OF OUR REGION'S LANDS AND WATERS, AND EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT PEOPLE FROM ALL CULTURES TO EXPERIENCE NATURE AND DISCOVER OUR GREAT OUTDOORS.ActivityOrMissionDesc
Voting Members Governing Body17VotingMembersGoverningBodyCnt
Voting Members Independent17VotingMembersIndependentCnt
Total Employee7TotalEmployeeCnt
Total Volunteers310TotalVolunteersCnt
Total Gross UBI$926,500TotalGrossUBIAmt
Net Unrelated Bus Txbl Incm$148,997NetUnrelatedBusTxblIncmAmt
PY Contributions Grants$9,582,216PYContributionsGrantsAmt
CY Contributions Grants$10,795,971CYContributionsGrantsAmt
PY Program Service Revenue$1,187,949PYProgramServiceRevenueAmt
CY Program Service Revenue$2,074,782CYProgramServiceRevenueAmt
CY Investment Income$0CYInvestmentIncomeAmt
PY Other Revenue$164,716PYOtherRevenueAmt
CY Other Revenue$54,741CYOtherRevenueAmt
PY Total Revenue$10,934,881PYTotalRevenueAmt
CY Total Revenue$12,925,494CYTotalRevenueAmt
CY Grants And Similar Paid$0CYGrantsAndSimilarPaidAmt
CY Benefits Paid To Members$0CYBenefitsPaidToMembersAmt
PY Salaries Comp Emp Bnft Paid$414,983PYSalariesCompEmpBnftPaidAmt
CY Salaries Comp Emp Bnft Paid$559,862CYSalariesCompEmpBnftPaidAmt
CY Total Prof Fndrsng Expns$0CYTotalProfFndrsngExpnsAmt
CY Total Fundraising Expense$88,520CYTotalFundraisingExpenseAmt
PY Other Expenses$9,435,878PYOtherExpensesAmt
CY Other Expenses$10,143,194CYOtherExpensesAmt
PY Total Expenses$9,850,861PYTotalExpensesAmt
CY Total Expenses$10,703,056CYTotalExpensesAmt
PY Revenues Less Expenses$1,084,020PYRevenuesLessExpensesAmt
CY Revenues Less Expenses$2,222,438CYRevenuesLessExpensesAmt
Total Assets BOY$5,392,927TotalAssetsBOYAmt
Total Assets EOY$6,693,479TotalAssetsEOYAmt
Total Liabilities BOY$2,328,618TotalLiabilitiesBOYAmt
Total Liabilities EOY$1,386,730TotalLiabilitiesEOYAmt
Net Assets Or Fund Balances BOY$3,064,309NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt
Net Assets Or Fund Balances EOY$5,306,749NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt
Info In Schedule O Part IIIYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartIIIInd
MissionOUR MISSION IS TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF ALL PEOPLE IN NORTHEAST OHIO BY CONSERVING NATURAL HABITATS, RESTORING THE ECOLOGICAL VALUE OF OUR REGION'S LANDS AND WATERS, AND EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT PEOPLE FROM ALL CULTURES TO EXPERIENCE NATURE AND DISCOVER OUR GREAT OUTDOORS.MissionDesc
Significant New Program SrvcYes (true)SignificantNewProgramSrvcInd
Significant ChangefalseSignificantChangeInd
Expense$10,384,351ExpenseAmt
Revenue$1,148,282RevenueAmt
DescWEST CREEK CONSERVANCY'S ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND REGION IS UNIQUE, AS IT TAKES A WATERSHED APPROACH WITH RESPECT TO LAND CONSERVATION, STREAM/WETLAND RESTORATION, AND TRAIL/GREENWAY DEVELOPMENT. NORTHEAST OHIO HAS A STORIED PAST OF DEVELOPMENT AND HAS OFTEN BEEN A POSTER CHILD OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE. WHERE A RIVER ONCE CAUGHT FIRE AND POLLUTION WAS NATIONAL FRONT-PAGE NEWS, WE NOW HAVE ONE OF THE MOST VISITED NATIONAL PARKS IN THE COUNTRY, A VAST NETWORK OF METROPARKS/PARK DISTRICTS, A 100- MILE WATER TRAIL, A HANDFUL OF NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT 'SCENIC RIVERS', A REGIONALLY COLLABORATIVE NETWORK OF WATERSHED GROUPS, AND STORY AFTER STORY OF HABITAT RECOVERY. THOUGHWE STILL HAVE MUCH WORK TO DO WEST CREEK IS A HYBRID LAND CONSERVATION AND WATERSHED RESTORATION ORGANIZATION - ACQUIRING LAND (INCLUDING HIGH QUALITY AND COMPLETELY DEGRADED AREAS); RESTORING ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONALITY (STREAMS, WETLANDS, OPEN MEADOWS, FOREST LANDS, AS WELL AS BROWNFIELDS); RETROFITTING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT (OFTEN REMOVING UNSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, RECLAIMING NATURAL AREAS OR INSTALLING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE OR OTHER STORMWATER CONTROL MECHANISMS); BUILDING TRAIL AND GREENWAY NETWORKS IN ORDER TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO THESE SPECIAL PLACES; AND ENGAGING MUNICIPALITIES, STAKEHOLDERS, POLICY MAKERS, OR OTHER PARTNERS IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE AND POLICY. THIS IS WHAT WE REFER TO AS A 'HEADWATERS-TO-CONFLUENCE APPROACH'. WEST CREEK IS REGULARLY FILLING A SPECIFIC ROLE: HELPING PARTNERS ACQUIRE LAND, POSSIBLY ON AN INTERIM BASIS, AND SOMETIMES PRE-ACQUIRING BEFORE THE OPPORTUNITY IS LOST. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON PARTNERSHIP. ONE OF THE LARGEST, AND MOST RECENT, EXAMPLES OF SUCH IS A PROJECT REFERRED TO AS IRISHTOWN BEND - A 23+ ACRE RECLAMATION INITIATIVE IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND ALONG A HALF MILE OF THE CUYAHOGA RIVER, WHICH MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN TERMS OF ITS TRANSFORMATION IN 2023. THIS ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO ORCHESTRATE A SERIES OF COMPLEX TRANSACTIONS TO GAIN OWNERSHIP OF THE AREA SO THAT ITS PARTNERS COULD ACCELERATE AND IMPLEMENT A TRULY TRANSFORMATIVE AND NECESSARY PROJECT. OUR ROLE HELPED CATALYZE A NEARLY 100M PROJECT THAT WILL CHANGE THE FACE OF THE RIVER AND PROVIDES NEEDED URBAN PARK, GREENSPACE, AND OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES TO A DENSE URBAN COMMUNITY. WITH A SMALL STAFF, OUR WATERSHED AND CONSERVATION SERVICES STRETCH BEYOND A DOZEN COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST OHIO. EMPLOYING OUR PARTNERSHIP APPROACH, WE ARE ASSISTING TRUMBULL COUNTY METRO PARKS WITH CREATING AND RESTORING A 200-ACRE AREA WITHIN KINSMAN SWAMP; ASSISTING CLEVELAND METROPARKS IN EXPANDING WEST CREEK RESERVATION BY 100+ ACRES, WHILE DEVELOPING 2+ MILES OF NEW TRAIL SYSTEM; ASSISTING BROADVIEW HEIGHTS IN PROTECTING VITAL RIPARIAN CORRIDORS ALONG CHIPPEWA CREEK; COORDINATING A SIGNIFICANT CONSERVATION INITIATIVE ALONG POND-BROOK/TINKER'S CREEK IN THE CITY OF REMINDERVILLE; ASSISTING RICHLAND PARK DISTRICT WITH THE PRESERVATION/RESTORATION OF OVER 200 ACRES IN THE CLEAR FORK WATERSHED; COORDINATING THE CONSERVATION/RESTORATION AND REDEVELOPMENT OF NEARLY 100 ACRES WITHIN THE CITY OF TWINSBURG AND TWINSBURG TOWNSHIP; SUPPORTING COMMUNITY-INITIATED CONSERVATION WITHIN THE CITIES OF BROADVIEW HEIGHTS/BRECKSVILLE TO PROTECT THE HEADWATERS OF FURNACE RUN AND BALDWIN CREEK; CATALYZING RESOURCES OF THE CITY OF PARMA AND NEORSD ALONG BALDWIN CREEK LEADING TO MILES OF PROTECTED STREAM CORRIDOR; AND SO MUCH MORE. IN 2023 ALONE, WE HAD OVER 6M IN STREAM/WETLAND RESTORATION PROJECTS ON THE GROUND IN 5 COUNTIES - ASSISTING PARK DISTRICTS AND A PLETHORA OF OTHER STAKEHOLDERS. THESE PROJECTS MAY APPEAR DISCONNECTED AT FIRST GLANCE, BUT BY APPLYING A STRATEGIC WATERSHED APPROACH, THESE CORRIDORS IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES BECOME CONNECTED OR OTHERWISE PART OF A LARGER INITIATIVE. WITH RESPECT TO OUR CONSERVATION INITIATIVES, THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT PURSUE PROJECTS BASED SOLELY ON A THRESHOLD OF ACREAGE OR OTHER HARD AND FAST MEASURABLES, BUT RATHER A MYRIAD OF FACTORS THAT REFLECT THE MISSION- CENTRIC FOCUS OF OUR WORK. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEREAS 300+ ACRES OF HIGH-QUALITY WETLAND IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR THE ECOSYSTEM OR WATERSHED, A 5-ACRE PARCEL IN AN URBAN AREA IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT BY CONNECTING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO GREEN SPACES ON A DAILY BASIS. IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE ORGANIZATION TAKES A HEADWATERS-TO-CONFLUENCE APPROACH IN CARRYING OUT ITS MISSION. WEST CREEK'S ENTERING ITS 27TH YEAR OF PROTECTING-RESTORING THESE AMAZING PLACES AND WE'RE PROUD THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE VISION OF OUR FOUNDERS OF 'MAKING NATURE YOUR NEIGHBOR' - AND WHERE CAPACITY ONCE LIMITED US TO THE WEST CREEK VALLEY, WE ARE HUMBLED THAT WE CAN NOW SERVE CONSTITUENTS IN OVER A DOZEN COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST OHIO AND BEYOND (INCLUDING THE LAKE ERIE AND OHIO RIVER WATERSHEDS). WE INVITE YOU TO HELP WEST CREEK CONSERVANCY CONTINUE WITH ITS MISSION. WE ARE PROUD OF THE VAST NETWORK OF PARTNERS THAT WE GET TO WORK WITH AND THE FACT THAT OUR WORK HAS A GENERATIONAL IMPACT - AND YOU TOO, CAN BE A PART OF THAT LEGACY. THROUGH DIRECT FINANCIAL GIFTS, ATTENDING MEETINGS, HIKES, TOURS, EVENTS, CONSERVING YOUR LAND, OR VOLUNTEERISM - THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO SUPPORT WEST CREEK A GIFT NOW MAKES A LASTING DIFFERENCE.Desc
Total Program Service Expenses$10,384,351TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt
Described In Section501c3Yes (true)DescribedInSection501c3Ind
Schedule B RequiredYes (true)ScheduleBRequiredInd
Political Campaign ActyfalsePoliticalCampaignActyInd
Lobbying ActivitiesfalseLobbyingActivitiesInd
Subject To Proxy TaxfalseSubjectToProxyTaxInd
Donor Advised FundfalseDonorAdvisedFundInd
Conservation EasementsYes (true)ConservationEasementsInd
Collections Of ArtfalseCollectionsOfArtInd
Credit CounselingfalseCreditCounselingInd
Donor Rstr Or Quasi EndowmentsfalseDonorRstrOrQuasiEndowmentsInd
Report Land Building EquipmentYes (true)ReportLandBuildingEquipmentInd
Report Investments Other SecfalseReportInvestmentsOtherSecInd
Report Program Related InvstfalseReportProgramRelatedInvstInd
Report Other AssetsfalseReportOtherAssetsInd
Report Other LiabilitiesfalseReportOtherLiabilitiesInd
Include FIN48 FootnoteYes (true)IncludeFIN48FootnoteInd
Independent Audit Fincl StmtYes (true)IndependentAuditFinclStmtInd
Consolidated Audit Fincl StmtYes (true)ConsolidatedAuditFinclStmtInd
School OperatingfalseSchoolOperatingInd
Foreign OfficefalseForeignOfficeInd
Foreign ActivitiesfalseForeignActivitiesInd
More Than5000 K To OrgfalseMoreThan5000KToOrgInd
More Than5000 K To IndividualsfalseMoreThan5000KToIndividualsInd
Professional FundraisingfalseProfessionalFundraisingInd
Fundraising ActivitiesYes (true)FundraisingActivitiesInd
Gaming ActivitiesfalseGamingActivitiesInd
Operate HospitalfalseOperateHospitalInd
Grants To OrganizationsfalseGrantsToOrganizationsInd
Grants To IndividualsfalseGrantsToIndividualsInd
Schedule J RequiredfalseScheduleJRequiredInd
Tax Exempt BondsfalseTaxExemptBondsInd
Engaged In Excess Benefit TransfalseEngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd
PY Excess Benefit TransfalsePYExcessBenefitTransInd
Loan OutstandingfalseLoanOutstandingInd
Grant To Related PersonfalseGrantToRelatedPersonInd
Business Rln With Org MemfalseBusinessRlnWithOrgMemInd
Business Rln With Fam MemfalseBusinessRlnWithFamMemInd
Business Rln With35 Ctrl EntfalseBusinessRlnWith35CtrlEntInd
Deductible Non Cash ContriYes (true)DeductibleNonCashContriInd
Deductible Art ContributionfalseDeductibleArtContributionInd
Terminate OperationsfalseTerminateOperationsInd
Partial LiquidationfalsePartialLiquidationInd
Disregarded EntityYes (true)DisregardedEntityInd
Related EntityfalseRelatedEntityInd
Related Organization Ctrl EntfalseRelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd
Trnsfr Exmpt Non Chrtbl Rltd OrgfalseTrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd
Activities Conducted PrtshpfalseActivitiesConductedPrtshpInd
Schedule O RequiredYes (true)ScheduleORequiredInd
IRP Document29IRPDocumentCnt
IRP Document W2 G0IRPDocumentW2GCnt
Backup Wthld ComplianceYes (true)BackupWthldComplianceInd
Employee7EmployeeCnt
Employment Tax Returns FiledYes (true)EmploymentTaxReturnsFiledInd
Unrelated Bus Incm Over LimitYes (true)UnrelatedBusIncmOverLimitInd
Form990 T FiledYes (true)Form990TFiledInd
Foreign Financial AccountfalseForeignFinancialAccountInd
Prohibited Tax Shelter TransfalseProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd
Taxable Party NotificationfalseTaxablePartyNotificationInd
Nondeductible ContributionsfalseNondeductibleContributionsInd
Quid Pro Quo ContributionsYes (true)QuidProQuoContributionsInd
Quid Pro Quo Contri DisclYes (true)QuidProQuoContriDisclInd
Form8282 Property Disposed OffalseForm8282PropertyDisposedOfInd
Rcv Fnds To Pay Prsnl Bnft CntrctfalseRcvFndsToPayPrsnlBnftCntrctInd
Pay Premiums Prsnl Bnft CntrctfalsePayPremiumsPrsnlBnftCntrctInd
Form8899 FiledindfalseForm8899Filedind
Form1098 C FiledfalseForm1098CFiledInd
Indoor Tanning ServicesfalseIndoorTanningServicesInd
Subj To Tax Rmnrtn Ex Prcht PymtfalseSubjToTaxRmnrtnExPrchtPymtInd
Subject To Excs Tax Net Invst IncfalseSubjectToExcsTaxNetInvstIncInd
Info In Schedule O Part VIYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartVIInd
Governing Body Voting Members17GoverningBodyVotingMembersCnt
Independent Voting Member17IndependentVotingMemberCnt
Family Or Business RlnfalseFamilyOrBusinessRlnInd
Delegation Of Mgmt DutiesfalseDelegationOfMgmtDutiesInd
Change To Org DocumentsfalseChangeToOrgDocumentsInd
Material Diversion Or MisusefalseMaterialDiversionOrMisuseInd
Members Or StockholdersfalseMembersOrStockholdersInd
Election Of Board MembersfalseElectionOfBoardMembersInd
Decisions Subject To ApprovafalseDecisionsSubjectToApprovaInd
Minutes Of Governing BodyYes (true)MinutesOfGoverningBodyInd
Minutes Of CommitteesYes (true)MinutesOfCommitteesInd
Officer Mailing AddressfalseOfficerMailingAddressInd
Local ChaptersfalseLocalChaptersInd
Form990 Provided To Gvrn BodyYes (true)Form990ProvidedToGvrnBodyInd
Conflict Of Interest PolicyYes (true)ConflictOfInterestPolicyInd
Annual Disclosure Covered PrsnYes (true)AnnualDisclosureCoveredPrsnInd
Regular Monitoring EnfrcYes (true)RegularMonitoringEnfrcInd
Whistleblower PolicyYes (true)WhistleblowerPolicyInd
Document Retention PolicyYes (true)DocumentRetentionPolicyInd
Compensation Process CEOYes (true)CompensationProcessCEOInd
Compensation Process OtherfalseCompensationProcessOtherInd
Investment In Joint VenturefalseInvestmentInJointVentureInd
States Where Copy Of Return Is FldOHStatesWhereCopyOfReturnIsFldCd
Own WebsiteYes (X)OwnWebsiteInd
Upon RequestYes (X)UponRequestInd

Books In Care Of Detail BooksInCareOfDetail

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
PersonDEREK C SCHAFERPersonNm
Phone2167493720PhoneNum

US Address USAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line17381 CAMELOT DRAddressLine1Txt
CityPARMACityNm
State AbbreviationOHStateAbbreviationCd
ZIP441347113ZIPCd

Form990 Part VII Section A Form990PartVIISectionAGrp (19 entries)

TitleTitleTxtAverage Hours Per WeekAverageHoursPerWeekRtOfficerOfficerIndReportable Comp From OrgReportableCompFromOrgAmtReportable Comp From Rltd OrgReportableCompFromRltdOrgAmtOther CompensationOtherCompensationAmtHighest Compensated EmployeeHighestCompensatedEmployeeIndIndividual Trustee Or DirectorIndividualTrusteeOrDirectorInd
DEREK C SCHAFER
EXECUTIVE DI40.00Yes (X)$97,330$0$17,777
JOSEPH LESLIE
REAL ESTATE40.00$105,733$0$3,124Yes (X)
ERIC M SLUSS
CHAIR10.00Yes (X)$0$0$0Yes (X)
MICHAEL J MOHLENKAMP
VICE CHAIR4.00Yes (X)$0$0$0Yes (X)
CHRISTOPHER B OWEN
TREASURER4.00Yes (X)$0$0$0Yes (X)
MARIBETH B FEKE
SECRETARY4.00Yes (X)$0$0$0Yes (X)
SHIMSHON BALANSON
DIRECTOR2.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
LIZ BOEHM
DIRECTOR2.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
BENJAMIN M BORNS
DIRECTOR2.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
ROBERT BRILL
DIRECTOR2.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
JOHN CRAWFORD
DIRECTOR2.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
ROBERT J DAGOSTINO
DIRECTOR2.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
BARBARA J HERMES
DIRECTOR2.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
ALBERT JOHNSON III
DIRECTOR2.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
CONNOR REDMAN
DIRECTOR2.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
LUKE SCHWANN
DIRECTOR2.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
KAREN VARGO
DIRECTOR2.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
RICHARD K WEISER
DIRECTOR2.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
MENGXUE XIE
DIRECTOR2.00$0$0$0Yes (X)
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Reportable Comp From Org$203,063TotalReportableCompFromOrgAmt
Total Other Compensation$20,901TotalOtherCompensationAmt
Indiv Rcvd Greater Than100 K1IndivRcvdGreaterThan100KCnt
Former Ofcr Employees ListedfalseFormerOfcrEmployeesListedInd
Total Comp Greater Than150 KfalseTotalCompGreaterThan150KInd
Compensation From Other SrcsfalseCompensationFromOtherSrcsInd

Contractor Compensation ContractorCompensationGrp (5 entries)

Address Line1ContractorAddress/USAddress/AddressLine1TxtCityContractorAddress/USAddress/CityNmState AbbreviationContractorAddress/USAddress/StateAbbreviationCdZIPContractorAddress/USAddress/ZIPCdServicesServicesDescCompensationCompensationAmt
OSBORNE ENGINEERING
1111 SUPERIOR AVECLEVELANDOH44114ENGIN. SERV.$605,234
RIVEREACH CONSTRUCTION
92 31ST STREET NWBARBERTONOH44203RESTORATION$486,500
DAVEY RESOURCE GROUP
1500 N MANTUAKENTOH44241RESTORATION$245,937
ZIEGLER METZGER LLP
1100 SUPERIOR AVECLEVELANDOH44114LEGAL SERVICES$226,253
RJ PLATTEN CONTRACTING CO
14490 YORK RDNORTH ROYALTONOH44133RESTORATION$179,550
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Cntrct Rcvd Greater Than100 K5CntrctRcvdGreaterThan100KCnt
Fundraising$78,835FundraisingAmt
Government Grants$6,233,655GovernmentGrantsAmt
All Other Contributions$4,483,481AllOtherContributionsAmt
Noncash Contributions$3,441,528NoncashContributionsAmt
Total Contributions$10,795,971TotalContributionsAmt

Program Service Revenue ProgramServiceRevenueGrp (3 entries)

DescDescTotal Revenue ColumnTotalRevenueColumnAmtRelated Or Exempt Func IncomeRelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmtBusinessBusinessCdUnrelated Business RevenueUnrelatedBusinessRevenueAmt
PROJECTS AND PROGRAM INCOME$1,129,885$1,129,885
LAND SALES$926,500531390$926,500
PROPERTY LEASE INCOME$18,397$18,397
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Program Service Revenue$2,074,782TotalProgramServiceRevenueAmt
Fundraising Gross Income$132,995FundraisingGrossIncomeAmt
Contri Rpt Fundraising Event$78,835ContriRptFundraisingEventAmt
Fundraising Direct Expenses$132,995FundraisingDirectExpensesAmt

Other Revenue Misc OtherRevenueMiscGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
DescMISCELLANEOUSDesc
Total Revenue Column$54,741TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Related Or Exempt Func Income$54,741RelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Revenue Total$54,741OtherRevenueTotalAmt

Total Revenue TotalRevenueGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Revenue Column$12,925,494TotalRevenueColumnAmt
Related Or Exempt Func Income$1,203,023RelatedOrExemptFuncIncomeAmt
Unrelated Business Revenue$926,500UnrelatedBusinessRevenueAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Info In Schedule O Part IXYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartIXInd

Comp Current Ofcr Directors CompCurrentOfcrDirectorsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$96,300TotalAmt
Program Services$63,558ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$24,075ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$8,667FundraisingAmt

Other Salaries And Wages OtherSalariesAndWagesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$382,283TotalAmt
Program Services$270,179ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$86,061ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$26,043FundraisingAmt

Other Employee Benefits OtherEmployeeBenefitsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$44,489TotalAmt
Program Services$19,713ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$20,931ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$3,845FundraisingAmt

Payroll Taxes PayrollTaxesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$36,790TotalAmt
Program Services$26,049ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$8,659ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$2,082FundraisingAmt

Fees For Services Legal FeesForServicesLegalGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$9,500TotalAmt
Management And General$9,500ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Fees For Services Accounting FeesForServicesAccountingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$17,224TotalAmt
Program Services$1,434ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$15,531ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$259FundraisingAmt

Fees For Services Other FeesForServicesOtherGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$260,276TotalAmt
Program Services$214,289ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$17,867ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$28,120FundraisingAmt

Office Expenses OfficeExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$32,577TotalAmt
Program Services$14,134ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$16,493ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$1,950FundraisingAmt

Occupancy OccupancyGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$15,778TotalAmt
Program Services$7,486ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$6,728ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$1,564FundraisingAmt

Travel TravelGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$16,673TotalAmt
Program Services$13,072ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$1,888ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$1,713FundraisingAmt

Interest InterestGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$69,009TotalAmt
Program Services$69,009ProgramServicesAmt

Depreciation Depletion DepreciationDepletionGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$3,299TotalAmt
Program Services$3,299ProgramServicesAmt

Insurance InsuranceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$17,588TotalAmt
Program Services$15,070ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$2,518ManagementAndGeneralAmt

Other Expenses OtherExpensesGrp (4 entries)

DescDescTotalTotalAmtProgram ServicesProgramServicesAmt
LAND ACQ DIRECT COSTS$3,382,781$3,382,781
RESTORATION WORK EXP$3,316,193$3,316,193
LAND SALE EXPENSES$776,503$776,503
LAND/EASEMENT ACQ COSTS$770,790$770,790

All Other Expenses AllOtherExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$1,455,003TotalAmt
Program Services$1,420,792ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$19,934ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$14,277FundraisingAmt

Total Functional Expenses TotalFunctionalExpensesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total$10,703,056TotalAmt
Program Services$10,384,351ProgramServicesAmt
Management And General$230,185ManagementAndGeneralAmt
Fundraising$88,520FundraisingAmt

Cash Non Interest Bearing CashNonInterestBearingGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$1,124,439BOYAmt
EOY$1,257,037EOYAmt

Pledges And Grants Receivable PledgesAndGrantsReceivableGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$496,841BOYAmt
EOY$221,387EOYAmt

Accounts Receivable AccountsReceivableGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$365,426BOYAmt
EOY$179,100EOYAmt

Prepaid Expenses Defrd Charges PrepaidExpensesDefrdChargesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$31,864BOYAmt
EOY$11,968EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Land Bldg Equip Cost Or Other Bss$5,027,608LandBldgEquipCostOrOtherBssAmt
Land Bldg Equip Accum Deprec$3,973LandBldgEquipAccumDeprecAmt

Land Bldg Equip Basis Net LandBldgEquipBasisNetGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$3,374,014BOYAmt
EOY$5,023,635EOYAmt

Other Assets Total OtherAssetsTotalGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$343BOYAmt
EOY$352EOYAmt

Total Assets TotalAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$5,392,927BOYAmt
EOY$6,693,479EOYAmt

Accounts Payable Accr Expnss AccountsPayableAccrExpnssGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$409,967BOYAmt
EOY$564,271EOYAmt

Deferred Revenue DeferredRevenueGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$28,454BOYAmt
EOY$109,455EOYAmt

Mortg Notes Pybl Scrd Invst Prop MortgNotesPyblScrdInvstPropGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$1,890,197BOYAmt
EOY$713,004EOYAmt

Total Liabilities TotalLiabilitiesGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$2,328,618BOYAmt
EOY$1,386,730EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Organization Follows FASB117Yes (X)OrganizationFollowsFASB117Ind

No Donor Restriction Net Assets NoDonorRestrictionNetAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$2,342,612BOYAmt
EOY$4,807,921EOYAmt

Donor Restriction Net Assets DonorRestrictionNetAssetsGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$721,697BOYAmt
EOY$498,828EOYAmt

Total Net Assets Fund Balance TotalNetAssetsFundBalanceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$3,064,309BOYAmt
EOY$5,306,749EOYAmt

Tot Liab Net Assets Fund Balance TotLiabNetAssetsFundBalanceGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
BOY$5,392,927BOYAmt
EOY$6,693,479EOYAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Info In Schedule O Part XIYes (X)InfoInScheduleOPartXIInd
Reconcilation Revenue Expnss$2,222,438ReconcilationRevenueExpnssAmt
Other Changes In Net Assets$20,002OtherChangesInNetAssetsAmt
Method Of Accounting AccrualYes (X)MethodOfAccountingAccrualInd
Accountant Compile Or ReviewfalseAccountantCompileOrReviewInd
FS AuditedYes (true)FSAuditedInd

FS Audited Basis FSAuditedBasisGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Consolidated Basis Fincl StmtYes (X)ConsolidatedBasisFinclStmtInd
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Audit CommitteeYes (true)AuditCommitteeInd
Federal Grant Audit RequiredfalseFederalGrantAuditRequiredInd

Schedule A IRS990ScheduleA

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Public Organization170Yes (X)PublicOrganization170Ind

Gifts Grants Contri Rcvd170 GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year Minus4 Years$5,414,980CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus3 Years$4,991,058CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus2 Years$5,966,165CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus1 Year$9,582,216CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt
Current Tax Year$10,795,971CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$36,750,390TotalAmt

Total Calendar Year170 TotalCalendarYear170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year Minus4 Years$5,414,980CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus3 Years$4,991,058CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus2 Years$5,966,165CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus1 Year$9,582,216CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt
Current Tax Year$10,795,971CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$36,750,390TotalAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Substantial Contributors Tot$358,063SubstantialContributorsTotAmt
Public Support Total170$36,392,327PublicSupportTotal170Amt

Unrelated Business Net Incm170 UnrelatedBusinessNetIncm170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year$148,997CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$148,997TotalAmt

Other Income170 OtherIncome170Grp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Current Tax Year Minus4 Years$9,765CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus3 Years$8,765CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus2 Years$239,457CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt
Current Tax Year Minus1 Year$164,716CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt
Current Tax Year$224,741CurrentTaxYearAmt
Total$647,444TotalAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Support$37,546,831TotalSupportAmt
Gross Receipts Rltd Activities$8,026,987GrossReceiptsRltdActivitiesAmt
Public Support CY1700.96930PublicSupportCY170Pct
Public Support PY1700.98970PublicSupportPY170Pct
Thirty Thr Pct Suprt Tests CY170Yes (X)ThirtyThrPctSuprtTestsCY170Ind

Form990 Schedule A Part VI Form990ScheduleAPartVIGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Form And Line ReferencePART II, LINE 10FormAndLineReferenceDesc
ExplanationMISCELLANEOUS INCOME - 5 YR CUMULAT 373,821 GAIN ON SALE - 5 YR CUMULATIVE 273,623ExplanationTxt

Schedule B IRS990ScheduleB

Contributor Information ContributorInformationGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
ContributorRESTRICTEDContributorNum

Contributor Business Name ContributorBusinessName

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Business Name Line1RESTRICTEDBusinessNameLine1

Contributor US Address ContributorUSAddress

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Address Line1RESTRICTEDAddressLine1
Address Line2RESTRICTEDAddressLine2
CityRESTRICTEDCity
StateRESTRICTEDState
ZIP CodeRESTRICTEDZIPCode
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total ContributionsRESTRICTEDTotalContributionsAmt

Schedule D IRS990ScheduleD

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Preservation Public UseYes (X)PreservationPublicUseInd
Protection Natural HabitatYes (X)ProtectionNaturalHabitatInd
Preservation Open SpaceYes (X)PreservationOpenSpaceInd
Historic Land AreaYes (X)HistoricLandAreaInd
Historic StructureYes (X)HistoricStructureInd
Total Easements339TotalEasementsCnt
Total Acreage2541.95TotalAcreageCnt
Historic Structure Easements1HistoricStructureEasementsCnt
Modified Easements10ModifiedEasementsCnt
States Easements Held1StatesEasementsHeldCnt
Written Policy MonitoringYes (true)WrittenPolicyMonitoringInd
Staff Hours Spent Enforcement61.00StaffHoursSpentEnforcementCnt
Expenses Incurred Enforcement$39,973ExpensesIncurredEnforcementAmt
Section170h Rqr StsfdYes (true)Section170hRqrStsfdInd

Land LandGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Cost Or Other Basis$5,005,123OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt
Book Value$5,005,123BookValueAmt

Equipment EquipmentGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Other Cost Or Other Basis$22,485OtherCostOrOtherBasisAmt
Depreciation$3,973DepreciationAmt
Book Value$18,512BookValueAmt
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Total Book Value Land Buildings$5,023,635TotalBookValueLandBuildingsAmt
Footnote TextYes (X)FootnoteTextInd
Total Rev Etc Audited Fincl Stmt$12,168,993TotalRevEtcAuditedFinclStmtAmt
Other Revenue$169,999OtherRevenueAmt
Revenue Not Reported$169,999RevenueNotReportedAmt
Revenue Subtotal$11,998,994RevenueSubtotalAmt
Other Revenues Not Included$926,500OtherRevenuesNotIncludedAmt
Revenue Not Reported Fincl Stmt$926,500RevenueNotReportedFinclStmtAmt
Total Revenue Per Form990$12,925,494TotalRevenuePerForm990Amt
Tot Expns Etc Audited Fincl Stmt$9,926,553TotExpnsEtcAuditedFinclStmtAmt
Expenses Subtotal$9,926,553ExpensesSubtotalAmt
Other Expenses Not Included$776,503OtherExpensesNotIncludedAmt
Expenses Not Rpt Fincl Stmt$776,503ExpensesNotRptFinclStmtAmt
Total Expenses Per Form990$10,703,056TotalExpensesPerForm990Amt

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (6 entries)

Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDescExplanationExplanationTxt
SCHEDULE D, PAGE 1, PART II, LINE 5IF A LACK OF COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS OF A CONSERVATION EASEMENT OR ENVIRONMENTAL COVENANT IS OBSERVED, WEST CREEK CONSERVANCY PROVIDES APPROPRIATE NOTICE OF THE NONCOMPLIANCE TO THE TITLE OWNER OF THE RESTRICTED PROPERTY AND SOLICITS COOPERATIVE ACTION TO RESTORE COMPLIANCE WITH THE OBLIGATIONS SET FORTH IN THE EASEMENT OR COVENANT. IF NECESSARY, THE CONSERVANCY USES ARBITRATION, LITIGATION, OR OTHER APPROPRIATE MEANS TO SECURE COMPLIANCE.
SCHEDULE D, PAGE 1, PART II, LINE 9LAND THAT IS PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED FOR CONSERVATION, EASEMENTS, AND COVENANTS, WHICH WERE ACQUIRED THROUGH PURCHASES AND CONTRIBUTIONS SINCE THE ORGANIZATION'S INCEPTION, ARE GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AT A VALUE OF 1 PER PERMANENT PARCEL NUMBER (PPN) ON THE STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS). MANAGEMENT CLASSIFIES THESE ACQUISITIONS AS A "COLLECTION," AS DEFINED IN ASC TOPIC 958, DUE TO ITS INTENT TO HOLD THESE ASSETS IN PERPETUITY FOR CONSERVATION PURPOSES. BECAUSE MANAGEMENT BELIEVES THE VALUE OF THESE PARCELS HAS BEEN IMPAIRED, AS DEFINED IN ASC TOPIC 360, AT ACQUISITION DUE TO THE RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS PLACED ON THESE PARCELS, DIRECT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACQUISITION OF LAND, EASEMENTS, OR COVENANTS ARE EXPENSED IN THE YEAR INCURRED.
SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART XTHE ORGANIZATION IS EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXES UNDER SECTION 501(C) (3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (THE "CODE") AS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION WHEREBY ONLY UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME, AS DEFINED BY SECTION 509(A) OF THE CODE, IS SUBJECT TO FEDERAL INCOME TAX. REFER TO FOOTNOTE 9 FOR DETAILS ON THE 2023 ACTIVITIES THAT GENERATED UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME. FOOTNOTE 9: FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, THE ORGANIZATION INCURRED UNRELATED BUSINESS INCOME TAX (UBIT) EXPENSE AMOUNTING TO 45,000. THIS TAX PERTAINS TO INCOME GENERATED FROM ACTIVITIES THAT ARE NOT SUBSTANTIALLY RELATED TO THE ORGANIZATION'S TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE, AS OUTLINED IN INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (IRC) SECTION 512. DURING THE YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION ENGAGED IN THE SALE OF RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT LOTS. THIS ACTIVITY RESULTED IN GROSS INCOME OF APPROXIMATELY 930,000 AND DIRECT EXPENSES AND COSTS BASIS OF 760,000, LEADING TO A NET TAXABLE INCOME PRIOR TO INDIRECT ALLOCATIONS OF 170,000. THE UBIT IS CALCULATED BASED ON THE NET INCOME DERIVED FROM THE AFOREMENTIONED UNRELATED BUSINESS ACTIVITIES. THE TAXABLE AMOUNT IS SUBJECT TO THE CORPORATE INCOME TAX RATES AS PRESCRIBED BY THE IRC. FOR 2023, THE INCOME TAX RATE IS 21%. THE UBIT EXPENSE HAS BEEN RECORDED IN THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AS A SEPARATE LINE ITEM UNDER THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES. MANAGEMENT IS COMMITTED TO ONGOING MONITORING OF UNRELATED BUSINESS ACTIVITIES TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE TAX REGULATIONS AND TO MINIMIZE THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF UBIT ON THE ORGANIZATION'S RESOURCES.
SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XI, LINE 2DUBI EST. AUDIT OVER ACTUAL 990T 20,002 GAIN ON SALE OF LAND 149,997
SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XI, LINE 4BGROSS LAND SALES NET ON FINANCIALS 926,500
SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XII, LINE 4BLAND SALE EXPENSES NET ON FINANCIALS 776,503

Schedule G IRS990ScheduleG

Fundraising Event Information FundraisingEventInformationGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Event1SPECIAL EVENTSEvent1Nm
Gross Receipts Event1$211,830GrossReceiptsEvent1Amt
Charitable Contri Event1$78,835CharitableContriEvent1Amt
Gross Revenue Event1$132,995GrossRevenueEvent1Amt
Non Cash Prizes Event1$34,667NonCashPrizesEvent1Amt
Rent Facility Costs Event1$13,588RentFacilityCostsEvent1Amt
Food And Beverage Event1$47,104FoodAndBeverageEvent1Amt
Entertainment Event1$3,400EntertainmentEvent1Amt
Other Direct Expenses Event1$34,236OtherDirectExpensesEvent1Amt
Gross Receipts Total$211,830GrossReceiptsTotalAmt
Charitable Contributions Tot$78,835CharitableContributionsTotAmt
Gross Revenue Total Events$132,995GrossRevenueTotalEventsAmt
Non Cash Prizes Total Events$34,667NonCashPrizesTotalEventsAmt
Rent Fclty Costs Total Events$13,588RentFcltyCostsTotalEventsAmt
Food And Beverage Total Events$47,104FoodAndBeverageTotalEventsAmt
Entertainment Total Events$3,400EntertainmentTotalEventsAmt
Oth Direct Expnss Total Events$34,236OthDirectExpnssTotalEventsAmt
Direct Expense Summary Events$132,995DirectExpenseSummaryEventsAmt

Schedule M IRS990ScheduleM

Real Estate Other RealEstateOtherGrp

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Non Cash CheckboxYes (X)NonCashCheckboxInd
Contribution9ContributionCnt
Noncash Contributions Rpt F990$4,354,523NoncashContributionsRptF990Amt
Method Of Determining RevenuesAPPRAISED VALUEMethodOfDeterminingRevenuesTxt

Other Non Cash Contri Table OtherNonCashContriTableGrp (2 entries)

Non Cash CheckboxNonCashCheckboxIndDescDescContributionContributionCntNoncash Contributions Rpt F990NoncashContributionsRptF990AmtMethod Of Determining RevenuesMethodOfDeterminingRevenuesTxt
Yes (X)MISC GOODS1$122,646FMV
Yes (X)EASEMENTS2$2GAAP MEASUREMENT
FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Form8283 Received2Form8283ReceivedCnt
Any Property That Must Be HeldfalseAnyPropertyThatMustBeHeldInd
Review Process Unusual NC GiftsYes (true)ReviewProcessUnusualNCGiftsInd
Third Parties UsedfalseThirdPartiesUsedInd

Schedule O IRS990ScheduleO

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (10 entries)

Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDescExplanationExplanationTxt
FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSIONOUR MISSION IS TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF ALL PEOPLE IN NORTHEAST OHIO BY CONSERVING NATURAL HABITATS, RESTORING THE ECOLOGICAL VALUE OF OUR REGION'S LANDS AND WATERS, AND EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT PEOPLE FROM ALL CULTURES TO EXPERIENCE NATURE AND DISCOVER OUR GREAT OUTDOORS.
FORM 990, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 6VOLUNTEER HOURS DONATED FOR LANDSCAPING, PROPERTY UPKEEP, AND OTHER SERVICES TOTALLED 1,558 IN 2023.
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 2SEE SCHEDULE R AND FORM 990T FOR SIGNIFICANT PROGRAM SERVICES NOT LISTED ON PRIOR YEAR'S FORM 990.
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4AWEST CREEK CONSERVANCY'S ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND REGION IS UNIQUE, AS IT TAKES A WATERSHED APPROACH WITH RESPECT TO LAND CONSERVATION, STREAM/WETLAND RESTORATION, AND TRAIL/GREENWAY DEVELOPMENT. NORTHEAST OHIO HAS A STORIED PAST OF DEVELOPMENT AND HAS OFTEN BEEN A POSTER CHILD OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE. WHERE A RIVER ONCE CAUGHT FIRE AND POLLUTION WAS NATIONAL FRONT-PAGE NEWS, WE NOW HAVE ONE OF THE MOST VISITED NATIONAL PARKS IN THE COUNTRY, A VAST NETWORK OF METROPARKS/PARK DISTRICTS, A 100- MILE WATER TRAIL, A HANDFUL OF NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT 'SCENIC RIVERS', A REGIONALLY COLLABORATIVE NETWORK OF WATERSHED GROUPS, AND STORY AFTER STORY OF HABITAT RECOVERY. THOUGHWE STILL HAVE MUCH WORK TO DO WEST CREEK IS A HYBRID LAND CONSERVATION AND WATERSHED RESTORATION ORGANIZATION - ACQUIRING LAND (INCLUDING HIGH QUALITY AND COMPLETELY DEGRADED AREAS); RESTORING ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONALITY (STREAMS, WETLANDS, OPEN MEADOWS, FOREST LANDS, AS WELL AS BROWNFIELDS); RETROFITTING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT (OFTEN REMOVING UNSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, RECLAIMING NATURAL AREAS OR INSTALLING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE OR OTHER STORMWATER CONTROL MECHANISMS); BUILDING TRAIL AND GREENWAY NETWORKS IN ORDER TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO THESE SPECIAL PLACES; AND ENGAGING MUNICIPALITIES, STAKEHOLDERS, POLICY MAKERS, OR OTHER PARTNERS IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE AND POLICY. THIS IS WHAT WE REFER TO AS A 'HEADWATERS-TO-CONFLUENCE APPROACH'. WEST CREEK IS REGULARLY FILLING A SPECIFIC ROLE: HELPING PARTNERS ACQUIRE LAND, POSSIBLY ON AN INTERIM BASIS, AND SOMETIMES PRE-ACQUIRING BEFORE THE OPPORTUNITY IS LOST. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON PARTNERSHIP. ONE OF THE LARGEST, AND MOST RECENT, EXAMPLES OF SUCH IS A PROJECT REFERRED TO AS IRISHTOWN BEND - A 23+ ACRE RECLAMATION INITIATIVE IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND ALONG A HALF MILE OF THE CUYAHOGA RIVER, WHICH MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES IN TERMS OF ITS TRANSFORMATION IN 2023. THIS ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO ORCHESTRATE A SERIES OF COMPLEX TRANSACTIONS TO GAIN OWNERSHIP OF THE AREA SO THAT ITS PARTNERS COULD ACCELERATE AND IMPLEMENT A TRULY TRANSFORMATIVE AND NECESSARY PROJECT. OUR ROLE HELPED CATALYZE A NEARLY 100M PROJECT THAT WILL CHANGE THE FACE OF THE RIVER AND PROVIDES NEEDED URBAN PARK, GREENSPACE, AND OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES TO A DENSE URBAN COMMUNITY. WITH A SMALL STAFF, OUR WATERSHED AND CONSERVATION SERVICES STRETCH BEYOND A DOZEN COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST OHIO. EMPLOYING OUR PARTNERSHIP APPROACH, WE ARE ASSISTING TRUMBULL COUNTY METRO PARKS WITH CREATING AND RESTORING A 200-ACRE AREA WITHIN KINSMAN SWAMP; ASSISTING CLEVELAND METROPARKS IN EXPANDING WEST CREEK RESERVATION BY 100+ ACRES, WHILE DEVELOPING 2+ MILES OF NEW TRAIL SYSTEM; ASSISTING BROADVIEW HEIGHTS IN PROTECTING VITAL RIPARIAN CORRIDORS ALONG CHIPPEWA CREEK; COORDINATING A SIGNIFICANT CONSERVATION INITIATIVE ALONG POND-BROOK/TINKER'S CREEK IN THE CITY OF REMINDERVILLE; ASSISTING RICHLAND PARK DISTRICT WITH THE PRESERVATION/RESTORATION OF OVER 200 ACRES IN THE CLEAR FORK WATERSHED; COORDINATING THE CONSERVATION/RESTORATION AND REDEVELOPMENT OF NEARLY 100 ACRES WITHIN THE CITY OF TWINSBURG AND TWINSBURG TOWNSHIP; SUPPORTING COMMUNITY-INITIATED CONSERVATION WITHIN THE CITIES OF BROADVIEW HEIGHTS/BRECKSVILLE TO PROTECT THE HEADWATERS OF FURNACE RUN AND BALDWIN CREEK; CATALYZING RESOURCES OF THE CITY OF PARMA AND NEORSD ALONG BALDWIN CREEK LEADING TO MILES OF PROTECTED STREAM CORRIDOR; AND SO MUCH MORE. IN 2023 ALONE, WE HAD OVER 6M IN STREAM/WETLAND RESTORATION PROJECTS ON THE GROUND IN 5 COUNTIES - ASSISTING PARK DISTRICTS AND A PLETHORA OF OTHER STAKEHOLDERS. THESE PROJECTS MAY APPEAR DISCONNECTED AT FIRST GLANCE, BUT BY APPLYING A STRATEGIC WATERSHED APPROACH, THESE CORRIDORS IN MANY CIRCUMSTANCES BECOME CONNECTED OR OTHERWISE PART OF A LARGER INITIATIVE. WITH RESPECT TO OUR CONSERVATION INITIATIVES, THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT PURSUE PROJECTS BASED SOLELY ON A THRESHOLD OF ACREAGE OR OTHER HARD AND FAST MEASURABLES, BUT RATHER A MYRIAD OF FACTORS THAT REFLECT THE MISSION- CENTRIC FOCUS OF OUR WORK. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEREAS 300+ ACRES OF HIGH-QUALITY WETLAND IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR THE ECOSYSTEM OR WATERSHED, A 5-ACRE PARCEL IN AN URBAN AREA IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT BY CONNECTING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO GREEN SPACES ON A DAILY BASIS. IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE ORGANIZATION TAKES A HEADWATERS-TO-CONFLUENCE APPROACH IN CARRYING OUT ITS MISSION. WEST CREEK'S ENTERING ITS 27TH YEAR OF PROTECTING-RESTORING THESE AMAZING PLACES AND WE'RE PROUD THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE VISION OF OUR FOUNDERS OF 'MAKING NATURE YOUR NEIGHBOR' - AND WHERE CAPACITY ONCE LIMITED US TO THE WEST CREEK VALLEY, WE ARE HUMBLED THAT WE CAN NOW SERVE CONSTITUENTS IN OVER A DOZEN COUNTIES IN NORTHEAST OHIO AND BEYOND (INCLUDING THE LAKE ERIE AND OHIO RIVER WATERSHEDS). WE INVITE YOU TO HELP WEST CREEK CONSERVANCY CONTINUE WITH ITS MISSION. WE ARE PROUD OF THE VAST NETWORK OF PARTNERS THAT WE GET TO WORK WITH AND THE FACT THAT OUR WORK HAS A GENERATIONAL IMPACT - AND YOU TOO, CAN BE A PART OF THAT LEGACY. THROUGH DIRECT FINANCIAL GIFTS, ATTENDING MEETINGS, HIKES, TOURS, EVENTS, CONSERVING YOUR LAND, OR VOLUNTEERISM - THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO SUPPORT WEST CREEK A GIFT NOW MAKES A LASTING DIFFERENCE.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11BTHE FORM 990 IS PRESENTED TO FINANCE STAFF, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FINANCE COMMITTEE TO REVIEW AND IS THEN REVISED AS NEEDED, FOLLOWING WHICH A RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL IS MADE TO THE BOARD. THE BOARD THEN HAS FINAL REVIEW OF THE 990 AND APPROVES IT FOR FILING.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12CEACH YEAR, ALL BOARD AND STAFF MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO REVIEW AND PLEDGE COMPLIANCE TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE POLICY MAKES IT CLEAR THAT ALL DECISIONS OF THE BOARD MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES ARE MADE SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF A DESIRE TO PROMOTE THE BEST INTEREST OF THE ORGANIZATION AND THE PUBLIC GOOD. THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT REQUIRES BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF TO IDENTIFY TO THE BEST OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE AFFILIATIONS WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAY BE POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE FINANCIAL OR OTHER SUBSTANTIVE OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION. THEY ARE ALSO ASKED TO IDENTIFY CIRCUMSTANCES INVOLVING EITHER THEMSELVES, OR A MEMBER OF THEIR EXTENDED FAMILY, THAT MAY BE CONSTRUED AS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THE ORGANIZATION'S EMPLOYEES ALSO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE NO CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WHEN CONSIDERING THE ENGAGEMENT OF A VENDOR. IF A POTENTIAL OR ACTUAL CONFLICT IS IDENTIFIED, APPROPRIATE STEPS ARE TAKEN TO BOTH ASSESS THE NATURE OF THE CONFLICT AND, SUBSEQUENTLY, TO ENSURE THAT THE ISSUE IS MITIGATED. THE BOARD AND ORGANIZATION TAKES THE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO MANAGE THE MITIGATION OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND UPHOLDS THE LETTER AND SPIRIT OF THE POLICY.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15ATHE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD ANNUALLY EVALUATES THE PERFORMANCE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. COMPENSATION IS BASED ON PERFORMANCE AND COMPARISON TO OTHER AREA MISSION-COMPARABLE ORGANIZATIONS OF SIMILAR SIZE. THIS COMPENSATION IS A COMPONENT OF THE BUDGET, WHICH IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD AS A WHOLE.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19THE ORGANIZATION'S CURRENT GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, FORM 990, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. THE PUBLIC INSPECTION VERSION OF THE FORM 990 CAN ALSO BE FOUND ON SEVERAL PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE WEBSITES.
FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 24EBARGAIN SALES 702,000 0 0 LOSS ON LAND DISPOSITION 424,266 0 0 LAND DONATION 125,012 0 0 CONTRACT SERVICES - PROP 103,821 2,500 0 UNRELATED BUS. INCOME TAX 45,000 0 0 ENVIRONMENTAL OUTREACH 8,537 12,481 4,791 MEMBERSHIP EXPENSE 3,945 3,945 9,486 RETURN UNUSED GRANT FUNDS 7,679 0 0 CASH DONATIONS 0 1,008 0 BAD DEBT 532 0 0 TOTAL 1,420,792 19,934 14,277
FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9UBI EST. AUDIT OVER ACTUAL 990T 20,002 GAIN ON SALE OF LAND 149,997 GROSS LAND SALES NET ON FINANCIALS -926,500 LAND SALE EXPENSES NET ON FINANCIALS 776,503 TOTAL 20,002

Schedule R IRS990ScheduleR

Id Disregarded Entities IdDisregardedEntitiesGrp (8 entries)

Address Line1USAddress/AddressLine1TxtCityUSAddress/CityNmState AbbreviationUSAddress/StateAbbreviationCdZIPUSAddress/ZIPCdEINEINPrimary ActivitiesPrimaryActivitiesTxtLegal Domicile StateLegalDomicileStateCdTotal IncomeTotalIncomeAmtEnd Of Year AssetsEndOfYearAssetsAmtDirect Controlling NADirectControllingNACd
RIVERBED WEST LLC
PO BOX 347113CLEVELANDOH44134822295824LAND HOLDOH$636,720$6,721N/A
RIVERBED 007 LLC
PO BOX 347113CLEVELANDOH44134822278255LAND HOLDOH$1,530N/A
RIVERBED 003 LLC
PO BOX 347113CLEVELANDOH44134822248113LAND HOLDOH$996N/A
RIVERBED 002 LLC
PO BOX 347113CLEVELANDOH44134822235019LAND HOLDOH$6,434N/A
RIVERBED 001A LLC
PO BOX 347113CLEVELANDOH44134822270353LAND HOLDOH$3,093N/A
CUYAHOGA RECLAMATION LLC
PO BOX 347113CLEVELANDOH44134832699190LAND HOLDOH$176,693$215,797N/A
CREEKSIDE LEDGES LLC
PO BOX 347113CLEVELANDOH44134341859064RES DEVELOH$759,806$1,346,066N/A
VBR LAND LLC
PO BOX 347113CLEVELANDOH44134341859064LAND HOLDOH$1,684,430N/A

Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail

FieldValueIRS element (for citing)
Form And Line ReferenceSCHEDULE RFormAndLineReferenceDesc
ExplanationTHE ENTITIES LISTED ABOVE (EXCEPT FOR CUYAHOGA RECLAMATION LLC, VBR LAND LLC, AND CREEKSIDE LEDGES LLC,) WERE CREATED AS SUBSIDIARIES OF WEST CREEK CONSERVANCY ("WCC") TO HOLD FEE SIMPLE INTEREST IN CERTAIN LANDS LOCATED IN THE FLATS AREA OF CLEVELAND, OHIO. ALL ACTIVITIES OF THESE ENTITIES ARE TRANSACTED BY THE BOARD AND STAFF OF WCC. COST-SHARING FOR SERVICES RENDERED AND THIRD PARTY PASS-THROUGH IS DEFINED IN A MASTER INTERCOMPANY SERVICES AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN WCC AND THE SUBSIDIARIES. IN 2018, THE ORGANIZATION CREATED CUYAHOGA RECLAMATION LLC TO HOLD A DONATION OF UNIMPROVED LAND (10 PARCELS) LOCATED IN INDEPENDENCE, OHIO. FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE LAND (FORMERLY KNOW A "HAYDITE MINE"), AS PROVIDED FOR IN AN INDEPENDENT APPRAISAL, AMOUNTED TO 21,100,000. THE LAND RECEIVED IS NOT DEED-RESTRICTED AND THE ORGANIZATION'S POLICY IS TO RECORD "LAND - TRADE" AT ITS FAIR MARKET VALUE. HOWEVER, GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE PROPERTY IS ADJACENT TO THE CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, IT IS MANAGEMENT'S INTENT TO RESTORE THE LAND TO ITS ORIGINAL STATE IN PERPETUITY. GIVEN THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED ABOVE, MANAGEMENT HAS REDUCED THE RECOGNIZED VALUE OF THE LAND TO 1. VBR LLC, A SUBSIDIARY OF WCC, WAS CREATED IN 2023 TO HOLD FEE OF CERTAIN LANDS LOCATED BETWEEN E. SCHAAF ROAD AND THE CUYAHOGA RIVER IN THE VILLAGE OF BROOKLYN HEIGHTS. ALSO ADJACENT TO THE PROPERTY OWNED IN VBR, LLC IS THE ANTICIPATED FUTURE LINE OF THE CUYAHOGA VALLEY SCENIC RAILROAD. VBR LLC WAS DESIGNED TO TEMPORARILY HOLD FEE SIMPLE INTEREST OF THE PROPERTY UNTIL LARGER LAND ASSEMBLAGE AROUND THE RIVER AND RAIL CAN BE COMPLETED. CREEKSIDE LEDGES LLC, A SUBSIDIARY OF WCC, WAS CREATED IN 2022 TO HOLD CERTAIN LANDS LOCATED OFF HADDEN ROAD WITHIN TWINSBURG TOWNSHIP. THIS INCLUDED LAND THAT WAS PROPOSED FOR RESIDENTIAL REDEVELOPMENT AND WAS BIFURCATED FROM THE ADJACENT CONSERVATION LAND ACQUIRED AND PRESERVED BY WCC. CREEKSIDE LEDGES WAS INTENDED TO HOLD FEE SIMPLE INTEREST, READY THE ASSOCIATED PROPERTY FOR DEVELOPMENT, AND DISPOSE OF IT IN INCREMENTAL TRANSFERS TO A RESIDENTIAL BUILDER. CREEKSIDE LEDGES CONTRACTED WITH A 'DEVELOPMENT' MANAGER TO SEE THROUGH ALL DEVELOPMENT ENTITLEMENTS PRIOR TO TRANSFER TO THE RESIDENTIAL BUILDER. SEPARATING, YET SIMULTANEOUSLY ACQUIRING, THE 'DEVELOPMENT' LAND AND 'CONSERVATION' LAND WAS IN EFFECT THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE THE LARGER PORTION OF THE PROPERTY (E.G. 77+ ACRES) WAS PRESERVED IN PERPETUITY AND THE ~11 ACRES WAS 'REDEVELOPED' IN A RESIDENTIAL FASHION AS DESIRED BY THE COMMUNITY.ExplanationTxt

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