2026-08-11T15:30:10-05:00 2025-12-31 390974031 WEGNER CPAS LLP 2921 LANDMARK PL STE 300 MADISON WI 537134236 990 2025-01-01 396089450 THE SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION INC SAND 6086634605 44 E MIFFLIN STREET 1005 MADISON WI 53703 KEVIN MCALEESE PRESIDENT & CEO 6086634605 2026-08-10 1 MITCH DAVIS CPA P01273382 6082744020 2026-07-21 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z KEVIN MCALEESE 44 E MIFFLIN STREET 1005 MADISON WI 53703 7820215 0 X SANDCOUNTYFOUNDATION.ORG X 1965 WI INSPIRE AND ENABLE PRIVATE LANDOWNERS TO ETHICALLY MANAGE NATURAL RESOURCES IN THEIR CARE. 16 15 0 16 0 0 3520797 3659493 213387 44545 315897 456454 2564 4337 4052645 4164829 6058675 1126059 0 0 2125240 2283256 0 0 182510 1379519 1491569 9563434 4900884 -5510789 -736055 12918510 13721514 558285 1177593 12360225 12543921 SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND EMPOWER A GROWING NUMBER OF LAND OWNERS AND MANAGERS TO ETHICALLY CARE FOR THE LAND TO SUSTAIN WATER RESOURCES, BUILD HEALTHY SOIL, ENHANCE WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND SUPPORT OUTDOOR RECREATION. 0 0 2919495 805356 38170 AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION - THE FOUNDATION'S AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION PROGRAM DEMONSTRATES LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT PROTECT SOIL AND WATER, UTILIZE THEM MORE EFFICIENTLY, AND MAXIMIZE THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS AND PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY OF AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS. WE STRIVE TO ENSURE THAT CONSERVATION MEASURES ENHANCE THE LONG-TERM PROFITABILITY AND RESILIENCE OF FARMS AND RANCHES. 970865 200000 6375 LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD - THE LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD RECOGNIZES FARMERS, RANCHERS AND FORESTERS FOR ACHIEVEMENTS IN CONSERVATION ON WORKING LAND. WITH PROMINENT PARTNERS IN MANY STATES ACROSS THE U.S., THE FOUNDATION PRESENTS THE ANNUAL AWARDS IN SETTINGS THAT SHOWCASE THE LANDOWNERS' CONSERVATION SUCCESS AMONG THEIR PEERS. 121533 120703 0 CONSERVATION POLICY AND INFLUENCE - THROUGH ITS CONSERVATION POLICY INITIATIVE, THE FOUNDATION USES SOME OF THE SAME PRINCIPLES FROM ITS BODY OF WORK TO BUILD AND SUPPORT ECOSYSTEM-SCALE SPECIES CONSERVATION MODELS, GREATER ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES, AND BETTER USE OF DATA TECHNOLOGY TO ACHIEVE ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION. 4011893 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 X 82 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 16 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 WI PA X X KEVIN MCALEESE 6086634605 44 EAST MIFFLIN STREET STE 1005 MADISON WI 53703 HOMER BUELL CHAIRMAN 1.00 X X 0 0 0 DAVID HANSON VICE-CHAIRMAN 1.00 X X 0 0 0 NANCY DELONG SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 TOM ZALE TREASURER 1.00 X X 0 0 0 KEVIN MCALEESE PRESIDENT & CEO 40.00 X X 200000 0 27663 JIMMY BRAMBLETT DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DICK CATES DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN DUNCAN DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TOM FOLEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BRENT HAGLUND DIRECTOR 1.00 X 5000 0 0 BOB PERSCHEL DIRECTOR (FROM APRIL) 1.00 X 0 0 0 VICTOR HARRIS DIRECTOR (FROM FEBRUARY) 1.00 X 0 0 0 ROD SNYDER DIRECTOR (FROM APRIL) 1.00 X 0 0 0 STAN TEMPLE DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 ED WARNER DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LYNN SCARLETT DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LYNNE SHERROD DIRECTOR (THRU APRIL) 1.00 X 0 0 0 NITA VAIL DIRECTOR (THRU APRIL) 1.00 X 0 0 0 HEIDI PETERSON VICE PRESIDENT - AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & CONSERVAT 40.00 X 170195 0 6800 LANCE IRVING VICE PRESIDENT - LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD 40.00 X 132295 0 25114 CHRISTINA SCHELLPFEFFER VICE PRESIDENT - EXTERNAL RELATIONS 40.00 X 139533 0 17969 647023 0 77546 4 0 1 0 0 2292771 1366722 3659493 PROGRAM SERVICE FEES 541900 38170 38170 EVENT TICKETS 611600 6375 6375 44545 293657 293657 3818183 3655386 162797 162797 162797 4337 4337 4337 4164829 44545 0 460791 X 912899 912899 213160 213160 409659 301890 78055 29714 1317151 986373 233694 97084 39730 29640 7173 2917 385518 287611 69599 28308 131198 97878 23686 9634 2018 2018 93198 93198 42723 42723 862775 796072 66703 2797 2497 194 106 97268 82610 10733 3925 26614 18950 6379 1285 66448 46275 16905 3268 119209 103251 11509 4449 134816 96647 38169 14678 10222 3734 722 DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 29025 25918 2009 1098 4900884 4011893 706481 182510 337514 308725 566988 338987 734821 1628400 105257 11854 26560 30879 60569 60569 0 0 7638412 7812043 3124508 3244050 384450 346576 12918510 13721514 137899 74487 10803 729001 409583 374105 558285 1177593 X 8313696 8555515 4046529 3988406 12360225 12543921 12918510 13721514 -736055 919751 0 X 0 1 X 1 1 1 X 5501243 8806160 6501565 3520797 3659493 27989258 5501243 8806160 6501565 3520797 3659493 27989258 7846764 20142494 199225 221023 297380 79539 293657 1090824 29080082 1730493 0.69270 0.64780 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 9902497 996414 2852714 42723 8003474 10520552 1190848 1760650 48253 9902497 8935211 1000000 1498600 872616 40643 10520552 11062361 -2087153 39997 8935211 10522152 899787 359578 11062361 0.84406 0.12495 0.03099 0 0 60569 60569 0 0 C&H INVESTMENT CO., INC. PREFERRED STOCK 70000 F INVESTMENT IN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP 3021553 F CASH EQUIVALENTS HELD BY INVESTMENT MANAGERS 152497 F 3244050 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY 374105 374105 5120236 919750 78380 -42723 955407 4164829 0 4164829 4936540 78380 78380 4858160 42723 42723 4900883 PART V, LINE 4: THE FOUNDATION'S ENDOWMENT CONSISTS OF THREE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE FOUNDATION. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: INVESTMENT FEES -42,723. 1 AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST 2000 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW SUITE 5005 WASHINGTON DC 20006 521190211 501C3 333630 0 INVOLVEMENT IN RCPP FARMER LED PROJECT DUBUQUE SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT 210 BIERMAN RD EPWORTH IA 52045 421187927 STATE OF IA 101340 0 INVOLVEMENT IN RCPP FARMER LED PROJECT SAUK COUNTY LRE 505 BROADWAY BARABOO WI 53913 396005740 STATE OF WI 85924 0 INVOLVEMENT IN RCPP FARMER LED PROJECT GREEN COUNTY LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION 1627 4TH AVENUE W MONROE WI 53566 396005699 STATE OF WI 66932 0 INVOLVEMENT IN RCPP FARMER LED PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY INNOVATION CENTER 7761 DIAMONDBACK DRIVE COLLEGE PARK MD 20742 933208396 501C3 44244 0 PROJECT SUPPORT LEVEL-VU ACRES LLC W1423 COUNTY ROAD B CAMPBELLSPORT WI 53010 201847091 22115 0 INCENTIVE PAYMENT, SCF PROJECT NATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY 225 VARICK STREET 7TH FLOOR NEW YORK NY 10014 131624102 501C3 17023 0 GRANT, INVOLVEMENT IN SCF PROJECT GBJF ENTERPRISES LLC N2259 TIMBERLANE DR CAMPBELLSPORT WI 530102033 392045143 14924 0 INCENTIVE PAYMENT, SCF PROJECT POLLACK-VU DAIRY LLC N7160 POLLACK RD RIPON WI 54971 201480417 14110 0 INCENTIVE PAYMENT, SCF PROJECT KERWIN HILL FARM LLC 97 KERWIN HILL ROAD NORWICH VT 05055 455250469 10000 0 LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD RECIPIENT TLL TEMPLE FOUNDATION 204 CHAMPIONS DR LUFKIN TX 75901 756037406 501C3 10000 0 LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD RECIPIENT TWIN MAPLES FARM 28500 NAVAJO RD CASHTON WI 54619 800478223 10000 0 LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD RECIPIENT VIRAMONTES FARMS LLC 3060 ALHAMBRA RD DEMING NM 88031 472374348 10000 0 LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD RECIPIENT WILTSE FAMILY FARMS LLC 50W379 ILLINOIS 38 MAPLE PARK IL 60151 453967371 10000 0 LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD RECIPIENT SEVEN RIVERS SOIL COOPERATIVE INC 12126 MORGAN RD REEDSVILLE WI 54230 991215088 501C3 8881 0 INCENTIVE PAYMENT, COVER CROP PROGRAM DRIFTLESS AREA LAND CONSERVANCY 206 S IOWA ST DODGEVILLE WI 53533 392017802 501C3 8561 0 GRANT, INVOLVEMENT IN SCF PROJECT LAKE EFFECT FARMS W3332 PLAYBIRD RD SHEBOYGAN FALLS WI 53085 861185706 8450 0 INCENTIVE PAYMENT, SCF PROJECT STEMPER HAY & GRAIN N7356 COUNTY ROAD A AND P PLYMOUTH WI 53073 391788702 6752 0 INCENTIVE PAYMENT, SCF PROJECT GEHRKE FAMILY FARMS LLC 9136 BELL SCHOOL RD ORMO WI 54963 274093524 5270 0 INCENTIVE PAYMENT, SCF PROJECT 9 10 LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARDS 15 150000 OTHER CONSERVATION GRANTS 7 700 AG CONSERVATION 44 62460 PART I, LINE 2: THE SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION REGULARLY MONITORS THE USE OF GRANT FUNDS BY REVIEWING REPORTS SUBMITTED BY GRANT RECIPIENTS AND CONDUCTING SITE VISITS. X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 KEVIN MCALEESE PRESIDENT & CEO 200000 0 0 0 0 0 7225 0 20438 0 227663 0 0 0 HEIDI PETERSON VICE PRESIDENT - AGRICULTURAL RESEAR 170195 0 0 0 0 0 6800 0 0 0 176995 0 0 0 CHRISTINA SCHELLPFEFFER VICE PRESIDENT - EXTERNAL RELATIONS 139533 0 0 0 0 0 5760 0 12209 0 157502 0 0 0 LANCE IRVING VICE PRESIDENT - LEOPOLD CONSERVATIO 132295 0 0 0 0 0 5580 0 19534 0 157409 0 0 0 FORM 990, PART V, LINE 2A: THE SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION, INC. LEASES EMPLOYEES FROM A PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT ORGANIZATION, TANDEM PROF EMP SERVICES LLC. THE EMPLOYEES ARE CONSIDERED COMMON LAW EMPLOYEES OF THE SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION, INC., HOWEVER, TANDEM PROF EMP SERVICES LLC IS THE EMPLOYER OF RECORD AND EMPLOYEES GET THEIR W2S FROM TANDEM PROF EMP SERVICES LLC. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B THE PREPARED FORM 990 IS SENT TO ALL DIRECTORS FOR REVIEW APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK PRIOR TO FILING THE RETURN WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C ANNUALLY ALL DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS COMPLETE AND SIGN A STATEMENT THAT PROVIDES INFORMATION REGARDING THEIR INTERESTS AND THOSE OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS THAT COULD GIVE RISE TO CONFLICTS. THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY MAKE DETERMINATIONS OF WHETHER A CONFLICT EXISTS AND REVIEW ACTUAL CONFLICTS. ANY PERSON WITH A CONFLICT IS PROHIBITED FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE GOVERNING BODY'S DELIBERATIONS AND DECISIONS IN THE TRANSACTION. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A IN 2016, THE FOUNDATION'S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REVIEWED AN INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS OF COMPENSATION FOR ITS SENIOR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS. THE ANALYSIS EXAMINED COMPENSATION FOR COMPARABLE POSITIONS BASED ON CRITERIA OF GEOGRAPHY AND LEVELS OF RESPONSIBILITY. IT ALSO REVIEWED FIGURES FOR DIFFERING NON-PROFIT INSTITUTIONS WITHIN THE FOUNDATION'S REGION. THE COMMITTEE DELIBERATED ON THE INDEPENDENT EVALUATION'S INFORMATION AND THE COMMITEE AND THE GOVERNING BODY VOTED FOR RECOMMENDED COMPENSATION CONSISTENT WITH THE FINDINGS OF THE ANALYSIS. THE PRESIDENT & CEO'S COMPENSATION WAS EVALUATED IN 2023 IN COMPARISON TO COMPARABLE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS AND WAS ADJUSTED BY ACTION OF THE GOVERNING BODY UPWARD TO BE MORE CONSISTENT WITH INDUSTRY AVERAGES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 THE ORGANIZATION MADE ITS GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST TO THE EXTENT APPROPRIATE. AUDITED ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G CONSERVATION CONSULTING SERVICES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 726,459. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 16,956. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 743,415. COMMUNICATIONS CONTRACTS: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 69,613. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 13,540. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 83,153. PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYER ORGANIZATION FEES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 0. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 36,207. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 0. TOTAL EXPENSES 36,207.