Better Business Bureau Report for
Natural Land Institute

Better Business Bureau Report issued April 2010
Better Business Bureau Report expires April 2012


Does not meet one or more standards
This charity does not meet one or more of the 20 standards for Charity Accountability. Find out more...


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Charity Contact Information

Name: Natural Land Institute
Address: 320 South Third Street
  Rockford, IL 61104
Phone: 815-964-6666
Web Address: naturalland.org
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Better Business Bureau Comments

Year, State Incorporated: 1958, Illinois
Affiliates: None
Stated Purpose: The mission of the Natural Land Institute is to create an enduring legacy of natural land in northern Illinois for people, plants, and animals. George B. Fell, founder of the Natural Land Institute, wrote: We are living at the time of man's final conquest over the wilderness. What we have saved, and what we may save in the next few years, will be all the true wild nature that will remain to pass on from generation to generation in the years ahead. There will never be another chance. George Fell created a land conservation movement that has protected the wonderful diversity of native plants and animals and the beautiful tapestry of life that we enjoy. Supporters and staff of the Natural Land Institute have sustained his important work of protecting the forests, rivers and wetlands that are threatened throughout northern Illinois. We need your help to fulfill our vision for the future - a world in which people recognize that we are a part of nature and act with the knowledge that our future depends upon preserving the natural systems that support all life on Earth.

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Evaluation Conclusions

               

Natural Land Institute does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Standard 10: Ending Net Assets - Avoid accumulating funds that could be used for current program activities. To meet this standard, the charity's unrestricted net assets available for use should not be more than three times the size of the past year's expenses or three times the size of the current year's budget, whichever is higher.

Natural Land Institute does not meet this Standard because:

  • According to its audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008, the organization's total unrestricted net assets were $5,189,777, or 7 times the charity's total budgeted expenses of $712,703.

Standard 16: Annual Report - Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

Natural Land Institute does not meet this standard because the most recent annual report did not include:

  • Total income.
  • Total program expenses.
  • Total expenses for each program in the same categories that appear in the organization’s financial statements.
  • Total fund raising expenses.
  • Total administrative expenses.
  • Total end of year net assets.

Standard 17: Web Site Disclosures - Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

Natural Land Institute does not meet this Standard because the organization's website, naturalland.org, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:

  • Total income.
  • Total program expenses.
  • Total fund raising expenses.
  • Total administrative expenses.
  • End of year net assets.
  • Electronic access to the organization’s most recent IRS Form 990.
In addition, the BBB of Chicago & Northern Illinois requested but did not receive complete information on the organization’s governance and oversight, effectiveness measures, solicitation materials, donor privacy, and fundraising disclosures and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following 10Standards for Charity Accountability: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15, 18, 19, and 20.
Natural Land Institute meets the remaining 6 Standards for Charity Accountability. Please note that as of the date of this report 1 out of the 20Standards for Charity Accountability are not currently effective. As a result, this standard has not been applied to this evaluation.
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Programs

               

For 52 years, the Natural Land Institute has helped residents of northern Illinois conserve the land they cherish. We are one of the oldest private conservation groups in the Midwest. We are a member supported, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving land and natural diversity for future generations. Since 1958, NLI has protected, managed, and restored more than 15,000 acres throughout Illinois and southern Wisconsin. These include prairies, forests, wetlands, and river corridors. Serving as a regional land trust, the Institute accepts donations of properties, buys lands, manages natural areas, and helps landowners establish legal agreements that permanently limit harmful use and development.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, Natural Land Institute's program expenses were:

  
Program Expenses 603,083
Total Program Expenses: $603,083
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Governance

               

Chief Executive :
Compensation*:

Chair of the Board:
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation:

Board Size:

Paid Staff Size:

*Compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
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Fund Raising

               

Method(s) Used:


Fund raising costs were 3% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $1,398,678, are donations received as a result of fund raising activities.)
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Tax Status

               

This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
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Financial

               

The following information is based on Natural Land Institute's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

Source of Funds  
Grants 1,010,533
Contributions 242,573
Membership dues 123,268
Realized gain (loss) on sale of land 37,000
Fund Raising events 22,304
Interest and dividends 19,788
Miscellaneous Income 18,070
Rental Income 6,000
Contracts 500
Realized gain (loss) on marketable securities -23,431
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities -259,936
Total Income $1,196,669


chart



Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses

Programs: 84%  Fund Raising: 6%  Administrative: 10% 

Total income   $1,196,669
  Program expenses $603,083
  Fund raising expenses 41,028
  Administrative expenses 68,592
 
Total expenses   $712,703
Income in Excess of Expenses   483,966
Beginning net assets   4,989,376
Ending net assets   5,473,342
Total liabilities   116,183
Total assets   $5,589,525


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An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.

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