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) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 25,697,477 | 18,251,410 | 25,007,175 | 45,422,022 | 33,969,062 | 148,347,146 |
| 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 | 25,697,477 | 18,251,410 | 25,007,175 | 45,422,022 | 33,969,062 | 148,347,146 |
| 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) .. | 39,545,052 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 108,802,094 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 25,697,477 | 18,251,410 | 25,007,175 | 45,422,022 | 33,969,062 | 148,347,146 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 5,424 | 42,736 | 24,097 | 216,433 | 164,373 | 453,063 |
| 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.).. | 428,818 | 5,339,582 | 5,768,400 | |||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 154,568,609 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal
year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (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) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (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 2024 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-2024 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2024 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2024 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2024 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI).
See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2024: | ||||
| a From 2019....... | ||||
| b From 2020....... | ||||
| c From 2021....... | ||||
| d From 2022....... | ||||
| e From 2023....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2024 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2019 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2024 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2024 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2024, 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 2024. 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 2025. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2022..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2023..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2024..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| Software ID: | |
| Software Version: |
| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 3 | ON MAY 14, 2024, THE CONSERVANCY PLACED THE ORGANIZATION'S CFO, ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AFTER DISCREPANCIES WITH FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS WERE IDENTIFIED AND THEREAFTER, ON MAY 31, 2024, THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER'S EMPLOYMENT WAS TERMINATED FOR CAUSE. IN JUNE OF 2024, THE CONSERVANCY ENGAGED QUATRRO BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES AS AN OUTSOURCED ACCOUNTING SERVICE PROVIDER TO OVERSEE ITS FINANCIAL INFORMATION. A FORENSIC ACCOUNTING FIRM WAS ENGAGED TO INVESTIGATE AND REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL DISCREPANCIES AND A LAW FIRM HAS BEEN ENGAGED TO ASSIST WITH CIVIL LITIGATION AGAINST THE FORMER CFO. THE CONSERVANCY ALSO ENGAGED A NEW INDEPENDENT AUDIT FIRM TO COMPLETE THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT FOR YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND DECEMBER 31, 2023. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 5 | DURING THE CURRENT YEAR, MANAGEMENT IDENTIFIED MATERIAL FRAUD COMMITTED BY THE FORMER CFO. THE CFO MISAPPROPRIATED APPROXIMATELY $42,500,000 FUNDS OVER A PERIOD OF MORE THAN 10 YEARS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS TAKEN THE FOLLOWING CORRECTIVE MEASURES DESCRIBED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL PARAGRAPHS. DETROIT RIVERFRONT CONSERVANCY MANAGEMENT'S PLAN: THE DETROIT RIVERFRONT CONSERVANCY HAS UNDERTAKEN A SWEEPING SET OF GOVERNANCE AND FINANCIAL ENHANCEMENTS IN RESPONSE TO THE 2024 FRAUD, REAFFIRMING ITS COMMITMENT TO INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND PUBLIC TRUST. THESE ENHANCEMENTS, DEVELOPED WITH GUIDANCE FROM NATIONAL EXPERTS AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP, ARE DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE ORGANIZATION AND RESTORE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE. IN ADDITION, THE CONSERVANCY HAS TAKEN DECISIVE FINANCIAL AND FUNDRAISING ACTION TO ENSURE THE ONGOING AND FUTURE OPERATIONS CONTINUE TO BE DELIVERED WITHOUT INTERRUPTION WHILE BUILDING THE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF THE ORGANIZATION. BACKGROUND & IMMEDIATE ACTIONS: AFTER UNCOVERING A MAJOR EMBEZZLEMENT SCHEME IN SPRING 2024, THE BOARD ACTED SWIFTLY ENGAGING FORENSIC AUDITORS, LEGAL COUNSEL, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE PERPETRATOR WAS PROSECUTED AND SENTENCED TO 19 YEARS IN PRISON, AND CIVIL LITIGATION IS UNDERWAY TO RECOVER STOLEN ASSETS. NO OTHER STAFF OR BOARD MEMBERS WERE CHARGED. THE CONSERVANCY HAS SINCE RESTRUCTURED ITS LEADERSHIP TEAM, WELCOMING NEW EXECUTIVES AND BOARD OFFICERS, AND HAS A TRANSITION PLAN FOR ALL KEY GOVERNANCE ROLES BY YEAR-END 2025. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO COMPLETED THE RALPH C. WILSON, JR. CENTENNIAL PARK WHICH OPENED IN OCTOBER 2025. GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE ENHANCEMENTS: FOLLOWING THE FRAUD, THE CONSERVANCY IS REDUCING ITS BOARD FROM 55 TO 30 MEMBERS, INSTITUTING TERM LIMITS OF THREE CONSECUTIVE THREE-YEAR TERMS, AND ENHANCING MEMBER TRAINING AND ACCOUNTABILITY. ALL STANDING COMMITTEES, SUCH AS FINANCE, AUDIT, GOVERNANCE/NOMINATING, ADVANCEMENT, AND PROGRAMS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HAVE UPDATED CHARTERS AND ANNUAL REVIEWS, AND THE LITIGATION COMMITTEE WILL DISSOLVE ONCE ITS WORK IS COMPLETE. THERE ARE NOW FORMAL SUCCESSION PLANS IN PLACE TO ENSURE LEADERSHIP CONTINUITY AND INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE. INCREASED TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WILL BE PROMOTED VIA SHARING ANNUAL REPORTS AND PROVIDING OPEN ACCESS TO GOVERNANCE INFORMATION. FINANCIAL CONTROLS ENHANCEMENTS: FOLLOWING THE DISCOVERY OF FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES, THE ORGANIZATION STRENGTHENED ITS FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT AND GOVERNANCE PRACTICES. THESE MEASURES INCLUDE ENHANCED SEGREGATION OF DUTIES, IMPROVED REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESSES, AND ENGAGEMENT OF NEW INDEPENDENT AUDITORS. ADDITIONAL MEASURES INCLUDE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE AUDIT TRAILS FOR ALL FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS, ENGAGEMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT FIRM (NOT THE CURRENT AUDITOR) PERIODICALLY TO REVIEW INTERNAL CONTROLS, AND AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE CONSERVANCY'S BANKING RELATIONSHIPS. THE ORGANIZATION REMAINS COMMITTED TO TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE STANDARDS. FINANCIAL UPDATES AND LOOKING FORWARD: OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS, THE CONSERVANCY HAS COMPLETED EXTENSIVE REVIEWS OF VENDORS, CONTRACTS, AND EXPENDITURES WHICH HAS RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANT COST SAVINGS TO THE ORGANIZATION'S ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION HAS RECEIVED STRONG SUPPORT FROM LONG-TERM AND NEW FUNDING PARTNERS, WHICH HAS SUPPORTED A MEASURED FISCAL APPROACH THROUGH CASH FLOW NEEDS OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS. GOING FORWARD, THE CONSERVANCY TEAM WILL CONTINUE TO DILIGENTLY MONITOR THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE ORGANIZATION WITH A FOCUS ON REVENUE STRATEGY, EXPENSE MANAGEMENT AND CASH PROJECTIONS. ACTIVE MONITORING AND REGULAR REPORTING OF FINANCIAL HEALTH AND OUTLOOK FOR SENIOR LEADERSHIP FROM THE CONSERVANCY AND APPROPRIATE BOARD COMMITTEES. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B | DETROIT RIVERFRONT CONSERVANCY ENGAGES AN OUTSIDE CPA FIRM TO PREPARE THE FORM 990. THE DRFC AUDIT COMMITTEE REVIEWS THE FULL FORM 990. THE GOVERNING BOARD IS PROVIDED ACCESS TO A PUBLIC DISCLOSURE COPY OF THE RETURN PRIOR TO FILING. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C | EACH VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD SHALL SIGN A STATEMENT AT OR BEFORE THE CONSERVANCY'S ANNUAL MEETING CONFIRMING THE DIRECTOR UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES TO COMPLY WITH THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND SHALL COMPLETE AND SUBMIT TO THE CONSERVANCY AN ANNUAL QUESTIONNAIRE REGARDING HIS OR HER INTEREST IN MATTERS IN WHICH THE CONSERVANCY IS INVOLVED. THE STATEMENTS ARE THEN REVIEWED BY THE GOVERNANCE COORDINATOR AND ANY SIGNIFICANT ITEMS ARE DISCUSSED. A DIRECTOR IN CONFLICT MAY NOT PARTICIPATE IN, OR BE PRESENT DURING, ANY DELIBERATIONS OR VOTE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OR ANY COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON THE TRANSACTION OR ARRANGEMENT IN WHICH THE INTERESTED PERSON HAS A FINANCIAL INTEREST, WHETHER OR NOT HIS OR HER FINANCIAL INTEREST IS IN CONFLICT WITH THE CONSERVANCY'S BEST INTERESTS. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 | THE BOARD USED A PROCESS OF BENCHMARKING OTHER SIMILAR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE AREA TO DETERMINE THE COMPENSATION OF THE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND OTHER TOP MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS. THE ORGANIZATION USES AN OUTSIDE FIRM TO PERFORM A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF COMPENSATION FOR KEY EMPLOYEES AS THEY ARE HIRED. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 | FORM 990 IS AVAILABLE BY WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE ORGANIZATION. |
| FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9: | 2024 FRAUD LOSS -827,343. 2024 CRISIS COST -3,447,225. |
| FORM 990, PART XII, LINE 2B: | A NEW INDEPENDENT AUDIT FIRM HAS BEEN ENGAGED TO COMPLETE THE FINACIAL STATMENT AUDIT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024. AS OF FILING DATE OF THE FEDERAL FORM 990, THE AUDIT IS STILL ONGOING AND IS ANTICIPATED TO BE COMPLETED IN 2025. |
| FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 9 | MARK C. WALLACE, CEO, RESIGNED ON MAY 31, 2024 AND EMPLOYMENT OF WILLIAM SMITH, CFO, WAS TERMINATED ON MAY 31, 2024. NEITHER INDIVIDUAL CAN BE DIRECTLY CONTACTED AT THE ORGANIZATION'S ADDRESS VIA MAIL. HOWEVER, MANAGEMENT HAS THE ABILITY TO CONTACT BOTH INDIVIDUALS IF NECESSARY. |
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