Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Public Charity Status and Public Support
Complete if the organization is a section 501(c)(3) organization or a section
4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust.
Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. See separate instructions. Information about Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at www.irs.gov/form990.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2013
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
NORTH BRANCH LAND TRUST
Employer identification number
23-7755642
Part I
Reason for Public Charity Status
(All organizations must complete this part.) See instructions.
The organization is not a private foundation because it is: (For lines 1 through 11, check only one box.)
1
2
3
4
5
section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)
6
7
8
9
receipts from activities related to its exempt functions—subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than 331/3% of
its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses
acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975. See section 509(a)(2). (Complete Part III.)
10
11
e
By checking this box, I certify that the organization is not controlled directly or indirectly by one or more disqualified persons other than foundation managers and other than one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2).
f
If the organization received a written determination from the IRS that it is a Type I, Type II, or Type III supporting organization, check this box
..................................................
g
Since August 17, 2006, has the organization accepted any gift or contribution from any of the following persons?
(i) A person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described in (ii)
Yes
No
and (iii) below, the governing body of the supported organization?
................
11g(i)
(ii)
A family member of a person described in (i) above?
......................
11g(ii)
(iii)
A 35% controlled entity of a person described in (i) or (ii) above?
................
11g(iii)
h
Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).
(i) Name of supported organization
(ii) EIN
(iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above or IRC section (see instructions))
(iv) Is the organization in col. (i) listed in your governing document?
(v) Did you notify the organization in col. (i) of your support?
(vi) Is the organization in col. (i) organized in the U.S.?
(vii) Amount of monetary support
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Total
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990EZ.
Cat. No. 11285F
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Page 2
Part II
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Sections 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 5, 7, or 8 of Part I or if the
organization failed to qualify under Part III. If the organization fails to
qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part III.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....
1,532,256
2,012,563
1,786,202
1,488,931
5,134,807
11,954,759
2
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.......
3
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
4
Total. Add lines 1 through 3
1,532,256
2,012,563
1,786,202
1,488,931
5,134,807
11,954,759
5
The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included
on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f)..
6
Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
11,954,759
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
7
Amounts from line 4..
1,532,256
2,012,563
1,786,202
1,488,931
5,134,807
11,954,759
8
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources...
21,064
33,424
28,177
28,224
107,375
218,264
9
Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..
1,416
21,139
26,271
6,488
55,314
10
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)..
11
Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).
12,228,337
12
Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (see instructions)
..................
12
431,090
13
First five years.
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here.................................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
14
Public support percentage for 2013 (line 6, column (f) divided by line 11, column (f))
.........
14
97.760 %
15
Public support percentage for 2012 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
97.470 %
16a
33 1/3% support test—2013.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13, and line 14 is 33 1/3% or more, check this box
and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.......................
b
33 1/3% support test—2012.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13 or 16a, and line 15 is 33 1/3% or more, check this
box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....................
17a
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2013.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, or 16b, and line 14
is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here. Explain
in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported
organization
.....................................................
b
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2012.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, or 17a, and line
15 is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here.
Explain in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
................................................
18
Private foundation.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a, or 17b, check this box and see
instructions
.....................................................
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Page 3
Part III
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Section 509(a)(2) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 9 of Part I or if the organization
failed to qualify under Part II. If the organization fails to qualify under
the tests listed below, please complete Part II.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .
2
Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose......
3
Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513..
4
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf...
5
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
6
Total. Add lines 1 through 5.
7a
Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons...
b
Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year.
c
Add lines 7a and 7b..
8
Public support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2009
(b) 2010
(c) 2011
(d) 2012
(e) 2013
(f) Total
9
Amounts from line 6...
10a
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
b
Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.
c
Add lines 10a and 10b.
11
Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.
12
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)
..
13
Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.)..
14
First five years.
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here.............................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
15
Public support percentage for 2013 (line 8, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
.........
15
16
Public support percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2013 (line 10c, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
......
17
18
Investment income percentage from 2012 Schedule A, Part III, line 17
.............
18
19a
33 1/3% support tests—2013.
If the organization did not check the box on line 14, and line 15 is more than 33 1/3%, and line 17 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
........
b
33 1/3% support tests—2012.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14 or line 19a, and line 16 is more than 33 1/3% and line 18 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....
20
Private foundation.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14, 19a, or 19b, check this box and see instructions
.....
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Page 4
Part IV
Supplemental Information.
Provide the explanations required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; and Part III, line 12. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).
Facts And Circumstances Test
Explanation
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2013
Additional Data
Software ID:
Software Version:
-
TIN:
SCHEDULE O (Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ
Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or to provide any additional information.
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Information about Schedule O (Form 990 or 990-EZ) and its instructions is at
www.irs.gov/form990.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2013
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
NORTH BRANCH LAND TRUST
Employer identification number
23-7755642
Return Reference
Explanation
FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION
NORTH BRANCH LAND TRUST (NBLT) IS A COMMUNITY-BASED, NON-PROFIT, LAND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON HELPING LANDOWNERS CONSERVE THEIR PROPERTY AND HELPING COMMUNITIES DEVELOP GROWTH STRATEGIES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THEIR CITIZENS. NBLT IMPLEMENTS AN ESTABLISHED STRATEGIC CONSERVATION PLAN THAT SEEKS TO CONSERVE IMPORTANT NATURAL AREAS THROUGHOUT THE WATERSHEDS OF THE NORTH BRANCH OF THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER AND SURROUNDING AREAS IN NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA. THE LAND TRUST ACCOMPLISHES ITS CONSERVATION MISSION PRIMARILY BY ACCEPTING DONATIONS OF DEVELOPMENT OR SUBDIVISION RIGHTS ON LAND. NBLT WILL ALSO SEEK FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO BUY LAND OUTRIGHT OR TO PURCHASE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS ON LAND. THE LAND TRUST WELCOMES AND ACCEPTS GIFTS OF CONSERVATION LAND AND OTHER PROPERTY PROVIDING THAT ALL LAND TRUST POLICIES AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING THE ACQUISITION OF LAND AND OTHER PROPERTY ARE ADHERED TO. SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN FEBRUARY 1994 THROUGH JUNE 2014, NBLT HAS CONSERVED OR PROTECTED OVER 12,862 ACRES OF WHICH 1,525 ACRES ARE OWNED BY NBLT. ANY LANDOWNERS OR OTHER STAKEHOLDERS INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT LAND CONSERVATION OPTIONS OR SUPPORTING THE LAND TRUST STRATEGIC CONSERVATION MISSION CAN CONTACT THE LAND TRUST AT (570) 696-5545 OR VIA THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.NBLT.ORG. THE MISSION OF NBLT IS TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LANDOWNERS AND THEIR COMMUNITIES TO CONSERVE THE SCENIC, NATURAL AND WORKING LANDSCAPES THAT SUSTAIN US. NBLT WORKS WITH LANDOWNERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE CONSERVATION VALUES ON THE SCENIC AND NATURAL LANDS THROUGHOUT THE REGION ARE PROTECTED IN PERPETUITY.
FORM 990, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 6
VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE SERVICES FOR MONITORING PROTECTED PROPERTIES, STEWARDSHIP OF FEE-OWNED PROPERTIES, FUNDRAISING, RECORDKEEPING, BULK MAILING SERVICES, EVENT PLANNING, AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES SUPPORT.
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A
DUSK FOR PASSIVE RECREATION ACTIVITIES WHILE SOME LANDS ARE CLOSED OR OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY DUE TO THE FRAGILE NATURE OF THE ECOSYSTEM FOUND THERE. THE LAND TRUST WELCOMES AND ACCEPTS GIFTS OF CONSERVATION LAND AND OTHER PROPERTY PROVIDING THAT ALL LAND TRUST POLICIES AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING THE ACQUISITION OF THE LAND OR OTHER PROPERTY ARE ADHERED TO. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2013 NORTH BRANCH LAND TRUST PURCHASED THE 17-ACRE FOREST ECHO BIRD SANCTUARY FROM WYOMING SEMINARY COLLEGE PREPARATORY SCHOOL. THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN DALLAS BOROUGH, LUZERNE COUNTY AND WAS DONATED TO THE SCHOOL IN 1946 BY RACHEL AND DR. SARAH WYCKOFF. THE WYCKOFF'S WISHES WERE THAT THE PROPERTY REMAIN A SANCTUARY FOR BIRDS. NORTH BRANCH LAND TRUST REACHED OUT TO THE COMMUNITY TO RAISE THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY AT A FAIR MARKET VALUE OF 150,000.00. THE TRUST WAS SUCCESSFUL IN RAISING THE FUNDS TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY AND CLOSED ON THE PROPERTY ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2013. BY PURCHASING THE PROPERTY, 17 ACRES OF IMPORTANT WATERSHED LANDS AND WILDLIFE HABITAT IN A FAST DEVELOPING AREA WILL BE PROTECTED IN PERPETUITY.
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B
THAT HARBORS RARE AND ENDANGERED PLANT AND ANIMAL HABITAT. FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT CAME FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU OF FORESTRY AND A COMMUNITY CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM GRANT AWARD TO NBLT FROM THE DCNR. FUNDING FOR THESE GRANTS COMES FROM THE KEYSTONE RECREATION, PARK AND CONSERVATION FUND (KEY 93), THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FUND, THE GROWING GREENER BOND FUND AND FEDERAL FUNDING SOURCES. ALL OF US AT NBLT ARE VERY PLEASED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROTECT THIS VERY SPECIAL PIECE OF LAND AND WE APPRECIATE THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT PUT FORTH BY THE LANDOWNERS AND DCNR THAT HELPED MAKE THE PROJECT A REALITY. AS PART OF THE PROJECT NBLT GIFTED THE PROPERTY TO NATURAL LANDS TRUST (NLT) OUT OF MEDIA PA. NLT WILL RUN THE PROPERTY AS A NATURE PRESERVE FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY IN PERPETUITY. ON FEBRUARY 28, 2014 NORTH BRANCH LAND TRUST RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES BUREAU OF RECREATION AND CONSERVATION IN THE AMOUNT OF 4,148,250.00 TO PURCHASE AND PROTECT 3,075 ACRES OF WOODLANDS IN MOCANAQUA, LUZERNE COUNTY PA. THIS PARCEL IS IN THE TRUSTS HIGH PRIORITY AREA FOR CONSERVATION FOR ITS ECOLOGICAL AND SCENIC VALUE. THE TRUST IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON ACQUIRING THE PARCEL AND ONCE ACQUIRED THE TRACT WILL BE DEEDED OVER TO THE PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU OF FORESTRY AND MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC FOR PASSIVE RECREATION ACTIVITIES.
FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4C
7/13/13 - HOWLAND BEE PROJECT - BEE KEEPER WORKSHOP AT OUR HOWLAND PRESERVE WITH DISCUSSION AND LIVE PRESENTATION. 7/21/13 - VALMONT BOG ORCHID WALK - WALK ON OUR VALMONT BOG PRESERVE WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE INTERNATIONAL NATIVE ORCHID CONFERENCE TO VIEW GLOBALLY RARE ORCHID SPECIES ONLY FOUND AT THIS SITE. 7/27/13 - ANNUAL NBLT RIVER TRIP - PADDLE THE SUSQUEHANNA WITH NBLT FROM MESHOPPEN TO OUR HOWLAND PRESERVE. GET OUT AND ENJOY THE LAND AND WATERS WE LOVE. 8/18/13 - ANNUAL NBLT MEMBER APPRECIATION PICNIC - THIS YEAR WE WILL VISIT THE BEAR CREEK VILLAGE PICNIC GROVE AND LEARN A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT BEAR CREEK, AND THE ICE CUTTING AND TIMBER INDUSTRY THAT TOOK PLACE THERE. 10/5/14 - 2ND ANNUAL TASTE THE LOCAL HARVEST EVENT - CELEBRATE AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FARMERS, BREWERS, AND WINERIES AT HUNTSVILLE GOLF CLUB. NBLT WANTS EVERYONE TO KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVING OUR LOCAL AGRICULTURAL LANDS. 12/11/13 - NBLT HOLIDAY GATHERING - CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH NBLT AND HEAR ABOUT ALL THE EXCITING CONSERVATION PROJECTS IN PROCESS. 12/28/13 - NBLT LEAD CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT AT OUR HOWLAND PRESERVE IN TUNKHANNOCK PA. 1/12/14 - WINTER PHOTOGRAPHY WORK SHOP WITH JANE DAHMS OF CONTEMPORARY CONCEPTS. 1/21/14 - AFRICA PHOTO SAFARI - VIEW PHOTOS AND HEAR THE WONDERFUL STORIES ABOUT THE NBLT LEAD PHOTO SAFARI TO SOUTH AFRICA LAST MARCH. NBLT WORKS IN CONJUNCTION WITH RENOWNED CONSERVATIONIST AND SOUTH AFRICAN PRESERVE OWNER JOE VILJOEN TO PLAN THESE SPECTACULAR TRIPS. BY PUTTING THESE TRIPS TOGETHER NBLT RECEIVES A DONATION BACK FROM THE OUTFITTER. NBLT RECEIVES A DONATION OF APPROXIMATELY 3600.00 FOR PUTTING THESE TRIPS TOGETHER. 1/26/14 - ANNUAL NBLT WINTER SKI, SNOWSHOE, OR HIKE - WEATHER DEPENDENT JOIN US FOR AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ON A CONSERVED PROPERTY. 2/16/14 - THE SECOND ANNUAL PICTON WILDLIFE SANCTUARY WINTER FEST - JOIN THE PICTON WILDLIFE SANCTUARY COMMITTEE AT THEIR SECOND ANNUAL WINTER OUTING FOR HIKING, SKATING AND POTLUCK LUNCH. 3/12/14 - GARDENING & COOKING WITH HERBS WORKSHOP - JOIN NATURALIST CHARLENE WILDES AND LEAN A LITTLE ABOUT THE BEAUTY OF COOKING WITH FRESHLY GROWN HERBS. THIS WORKSHOP WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL AND THREE ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS WERE HELD. 4/5/14 - ASHLEY PLANES WALK - JOIN VOLUNTEER DAVE ESTEP ON A HIKE ALONG THE ASHLEY PLANES COG RAIL LINE AND LEARN HOW IT WORKED AND WHY IT WAS SO IMPORTANT TO MOVING COAL OUT OF THE WYOMING VALLEY. 5/14/14 - THE NBLT 15TH ANNUAL DINNER AND AUCTIONS - JOIN NBLT TO CELEBRATE OUR CONSERVATION SUCCESSES AND TO HONOR A SPECIAL GROUP OF COMMUNITY STEWARDS. NBLT WILL RECOGNIZE THOSE DONORS WHO HELPED RAISE 150,000.00 TO PURCHASE AND PROTECT THE FOREST ECHO BIRD SANCTUARY IN DALLAS PA.THE 2014 ANNUAL DINNER RAISED OVER 50,000.00 FOR NBLT. 5/31/14 - HOWLAND PRESERVE ART SHOW - JOIN NBLT AT THE HOWLAND PRESERVE TO VIEW FEATURED ART WORK FROM EARL LEHMAN AND THE TALENTED STUDENTS FROM THE TUNKHANNOCK MIDDLE SCHOOL. THIS EVENT HELPS CONNECTS PEOPLE WITH NATURE.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B
AT LEAST 5 TO 10 BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR TO FILING FORM 990, A DRAFT OF THE COMPLETED 990 IS PROVIDED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OR A DESIGNATED COMMITTEE MEMBER. ANY QUESTIONS WILL BE REVIEWED WITH THE PREPARER AND ANY APPROPRIATE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE MADE TO THE RETURN. AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FILING OF FORM 990, A DRAFT EMAIL COPY IS DISTRIBUTED TO ALL BOARD MEMBERS FOR THEIR INFORMATION AND REVIEW. SATISFACTION OF THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS WILL PERMIT AN OFFICER OF THE ORGANIZATION TO SIGN FORM 990.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURES ARE REQUIRED ANNUALLY FROM ALL OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND KEY EMPLOYEES.
FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19
GOVERNING DOCUMENTS AND ANNUAL FORM 990 ARE AVAILABLE ON THE PUBLIC INFORMATION PAGE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE. THESE DOCUMENTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION UPON REQUEST DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS AT THE PHYSICAL LOCATION OF THE ORGANIZATION.
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.