Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
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Total |
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Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 5,414,980 | 4,991,058 | 5,966,165 | 9,582,216 | 10,795,971 | 36,750,390 |
| 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 | 5,414,980 | 4,991,058 | 5,966,165 | 9,582,216 | 10,795,971 | 36,750,390 |
| 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) .. | 358,063 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 36,392,327 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 5,414,980 | 4,991,058 | 5,966,165 | 9,582,216 | 10,795,971 | 36,750,390 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | ||||||
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | 9,765 | 8,765 | 239,457 | 164,716 | 224,741 | 647,444 |
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 37,546,831 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal
year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (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.) | ||||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (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 on 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 VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
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| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
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| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 0.015 of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by 0.035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | 1 | |
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
2 | |
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | 3 | |
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | 4 | |
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI) | 5 | |
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | 6 | |
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | 7 | |
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
8 | |
| 9 Distributable amount for 2023 from Section C, line 6 | 9 | |
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | 10 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2023 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2023 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2023 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2023 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI).
See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2023: | ||||
| a From 2018....... | ||||
| b From 2019....... | ||||
| c From 2020....... | ||||
| d From 2021....... | ||||
| e From 2022....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2023 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2018 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2023 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2023 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2023, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2023. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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7 Excess distributions carryover to 2024. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2022..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2023..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| PART II, LINE 10 | MISCELLANEOUS INCOME - 5 YR CUMULAT 373,821 GAIN ON SALE - 5 YR CUMULATIVE 273,623 |
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION | OUR 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 6 | VOLUNTEER HOURS DONATED FOR LANDSCAPING, PROPERTY UPKEEP, AND OTHER SERVICES TOTALLED 1,558 IN 2023. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 2 | SEE SCHEDULE R AND FORM 990T FOR SIGNIFICANT PROGRAM SERVICES NOT LISTED ON PRIOR YEAR'S FORM 990. |
| FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A | WEST 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 11B | THE 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 12C | EACH 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 15A | THE 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 19 | THE 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 24E | BARGAIN 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 9 | UBI 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 |
| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |