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Nonprofit · EIN 20-0345249

BIG WATERS LAND TRUST INC

Tax-exempt · OSPREY, FL 34229

Financials

$4.9M$3.8M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of BIG WATERS LAND TRUST INC by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
September 30, 2025990$4,947,554$3,816,608$1,130,946$38,852,882$586,341$38,266,541
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$4,275,883
Program service revenue
$139,754
Investment income
$620,617
Net gain from sales of assets
$308,178
Net income from fundraising events
-$88,700
Other revenue
-$88,700

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$0
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$206,374
Other salaries and wages
$1,137,735
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$1,657,408
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$250
Accounting fees
$25,195
Occupancy
$132,426
Travel
$25,880
Depreciation
$186,302
Program services (functional)
$3,265,749
Management and general (functional)
$187,679
Fundraising (functional)
$363,180

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$37,600,249
Total assets, end of year
$38,852,882
Total liabilities, end of year
$586,341
Net assets, end of year
$38,266,541
Land, buildings and equipment
$27,166,471
Publicly traded securities
$5,256,222
Net assets without donor restrictions
$12,545,426
Net assets with donor restrictions
$25,721,115
Gross receipts
$8,145,621
Employees
24
Volunteers
217
Year formed
2003
State of legal domicile
FL

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
Christine JohnsonPresident
Officer
40$168,272$38,390
James CaldwellBoard Member
Trustee or director
5$0$0
Patrick CarltonBoard Member
Trustee or director
5$0$0
Carol CaterBoard Member
Trustee or director
5$0$0
Mike KnuppBoard Member
Trustee or director
5$0$0
Joe LiebermanBoard Member
Trustee or director
5$0$0
Elizabeth MooreBoard Member
Trustee or director
5$0$0
Patrick PedontiBoard Member
Trustee or director
5$0$0
Eileen Scudder-ZimmermanBoard Member
Trustee or director
5$0$0
Daniel VigneBoard Member
Trustee or director
5$0$0
Rob BrownBoard Chair
Trustee or director, Officer
10$0$0
Sherry DavisVice Chair
Trustee or director, Officer
5$0$0
Mario BernardisTreasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
5$0$0
David CrawfordSecretary
Trustee or director, Officer
5$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
PO BOX 902, OSPREY, FL 34229-0902
In care of
% ALBERT G JOERGER
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
Christine P Johnson, PO Box 902, Osprey, FL 34229
Signed the 990
Christine P Johnson, President
Phone
(941) 918-2100
Return prepared by
Kerkering Barberio & Co

Mission

To protect land and water for the benefit of people and nature.

990 for the year ended September 30, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • In our 22-year history, Big Waters Land Trust has protected 69 properties totaling 20,071 acres, for the benefit of people and nature. The organization collaborated with 67 private, public, and not-for-profit organizations in the past year. The organization's mission is supported by over 800 donors annually. Cumulatively over the past 22 years, total revenues exceeded $72,000,000 derived from contributions, grants, and other program fees such as contract work with Sarasota County's environmentally sensitive land acquisitions program. Education programs include programming for youth and adults that connect people of all ages and abilities to nature and to each other, building a conservation community.
    Expenses $3,265,749 · revenue $139,754

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025September 30, 2026February 15, 2027Not due yet
2024September 30, 2025February 16, 2026990 on file
2023September 30, 2024February 17, 2025990 on file

IRS record

EIN
20-0345249
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
2003
Accounting year ends
September
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Category (NTEE)
Environment (C30)
Assets (IRS master file)
$38,852,882
Income (IRS master file)
$8,145,621

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990September 2025–––IRS
990September 2024–––IRS
990September 2023$2,917,341$2,187,863$35,154,099IRS
990September 2022$8,090,694$7,242,378$33,994,922IRS
990September 2021–––IRS
990September 2020–––IRS
990September 2019–––IRS
990September 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS publishes only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years appear here as 990.tax collects the monthly files. 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS.

Questions about BIG WATERS LAND TRUST INC

What is the EIN of BIG WATERS LAND TRUST INC?
The employer identification number (EIN) of BIG WATERS LAND TRUST INC is 20-0345249.
Is BIG WATERS LAND TRUST INC tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2003.
Are donations to BIG WATERS LAND TRUST INC tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does BIG WATERS LAND TRUST INC file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of BIG WATERS LAND TRUST INC due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did BIG WATERS LAND TRUST INC last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
Who is the principal officer of BIG WATERS LAND TRUST INC?
The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names Christine P Johnson.
Who are the officers and directors of BIG WATERS LAND TRUST INC?
The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 14 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $168,272 (Christine Johnson, President).
How much revenue does BIG WATERS LAND TRUST INC have?
On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $4,947,554, expenses of $3,816,608 and total assets of $38,852,882 at year end.

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