Trust for Public Land
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
-
Board Oversight
-
Board Size
-
Board Meetings
-
Board Compensation
-
Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
-
Effectiveness Policy
-
Effectiveness Report
Finances
-
Program Expenses
-
Fundraising Expenses
-
Accumulating Funds
-
Audit Report
-
Detailed Expense Breakdown
-
Accurate Expense Reporting
-
Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
-
Truthful Materials
-
Annual Report
-
Website Disclosures
-
Donor Privacy
-
Cause Marketing Disclosures
-
Complaints
Trust for Public Land meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to create parks and protect land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come."
Year, State Incorporated:
1972, CA
Trust for Public Land (TPL) reports that it works to help communities plan for and fund parks and conservation, along with protecting land. In 2024, the organization states that it protected 67,430 acres of land, improved access to 76 miles of trails, and transformed 16 schoolyards into places to learn and play. In addition, TPL reports that it helped pass 27 ballot measures and generated $16 billion in new public funding for parks, conservation, and climate.
For the year ended June 30, 2024, Trust for Public Land's program expenses were:
| Open space and park programs | $101,305,000 |
| Land and easements to public agencies and other nonprofit organizations, net | $57,959,000 |
| Total Program Expenses | $159,264,000 |
Chief Executive
Carrie Besnette Hauser, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$650,000
Chair of the Board
Lucas St. Clair
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
President, Elliotsville Foundation, Inc.
Board Size
30
Paid Staff Size
399
*2025 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Note: Carrie Besnette Hauser assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer in October 2024. In 2024, Diane C. Regas served as President, receiving $551,079 in compensation.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Direct mail appeals, Planned giving arrangements
Fundraising costs were 11% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $176,185,000, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
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.
The following information is based on Trust for Public Land's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2024.
Source of Funds
| Contributions and grants | $160,748,000 |
| Project fees and other income | $56,732,000 |
| Contributions of land and easements, net | $11,571,000 |
| Investment income, net | $8,554,000 |
| Future interests in charitable trusts | $3,866,000 |
| Interest income | $3,793,000 |
| Gain on sale of property and equipment | $421,000 |
| Change in value of land holdings | $-215,000 |
| Allowance for uncollectible grants and restricted grants returned to donor | $-627,000 |
| Total Income | $244,843,000 |
Programs: 80% Fundraising: 9% Administrative: 10%
| Total Income | $244,843,000 |
| Total expenses: | $198,500,000 |
| Program expenses | $159,264,000 |
| Fundraising expenses | $18,699,000 |
| Administrative expenses | $20,537,000 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $46,343,000 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $186,656,000 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $0 |
| Ending Net Assets | $232,999,000 |
| Total Liabilities | $163,539,000 |
| Total Assets | $396,538,000 |
Note: For the year ended June 30, 2024, TPL reports that it received $403,938 in donated legal services.
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 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 International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Meets Standards
-
Standards Not Met
-
Did Not Disclose
-
Review in Progress
-
Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance