Nonprofit · EIN 61-1293032
BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY INC
Also known as JESSIE WILDER BESSINGER
Tax-exempt · LEXINGTON, KY 40507
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $6,616,412 | $1,571,591 | $5,044,821 | $11,508,476 | $59,762 | $11,448,714 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $3,070,920 | $1,086,085 | $1,984,835 | $5,916,202 | $53,505 | $5,862,697 |
| June 30, 2023 | 990 | $1,020,312 | $1,065,420 | -$45,108 | $3,770,024 | $93,781 | $3,676,243 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $6,544,798
- of which government grants
- $4,000,000
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $283,628
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$212,014
- Other revenue
- -$212,014
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $350,932
- Other salaries and wages
- $651,681
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,123,233
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $47,700
- Accounting fees
- $33,026
- Travel
- $18,714
- Depreciation
- $2,689
- Program services (functional)
- $1,242,147
- Management and general (functional)
- $170,316
- Fundraising (functional)
- $159,128
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $5,916,202
- Total assets, end of year
- $11,508,476
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $59,762
- Net assets, end of year
- $11,448,714
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $3,617
- Publicly traded securities
- $9,996,654
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $6,593,860
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $4,854,854
- Gross receipts
- $6,851,624
- Employees
- 13
- Volunteers
- 32
- Year formed
- 1995
- State of legal domicile
- KY
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 June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASHLEY GREATHOUSE | COUNSEL & DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION Key employee | 40 | $169,500 | $16,052 |
| JESSIE HANCOCK | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $145,000 | $15,052 |
| MARGARET GRAVES | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 6 | $0 | $0 |
| HELEN ALEXANDER | VICE-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| JOEL TURNER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL POTAPOV | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| HANZLY ALBINA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TURNEY BERRY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| BRENT BOLAND | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| BRUTUS CLAY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN JB DAVIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIMOTHY DUNN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LUKE FALLON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| PEEK GARLINGTON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| LIBBY JONES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
6 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL KEITH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| MARY LOWRY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| BOYCE MARTIN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| RICHARD MASSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| WILL MAYER | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
| STEVE RAGAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 23 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASHLEY GREATHOUSE | COUNSEL & DIRECTOR OF CONS Key employee | 40 | $150,700 | $15,252 |
| JESSIE HANCOCK | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $132,600 | $14,652 |
| MARGARET GRAVES | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| HELEN ALEXANDER | VICE-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL POTAPOV | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| JOEL TURNER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| HANZLY ALBINA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRENT BOLAND | BOARD MEMBER (FROM 12/23) Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| BRUTUS CLAY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN JB DAVIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIMOTHY DUNN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LUKE FALLON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| PEEK GARLINGTON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| LIBBY JONES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL KEITH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| MARY LOWRY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| BOYCE MARTIN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD MASSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| WILL MAYER | BOARD MEMBER (FROM 08/23) Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| AUSTIN MUSSELMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVE RAGAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| LYNN HANCOCK | BOARD MEMBER (TO 10/23) Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| WADDELL HANCOCK | BOARD MEMBER (TO 10/23) Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 21 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASHLEY GREATHOUSE | COUNSEL & DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION Highest-paid employee | 40 | $145,600 | $7,991 |
| JESSIE HANCOCK | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $132,500 | $7,991 |
| AUSTIN MUSSELMAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| BRUTUS CLAY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIMOTHY DUNN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LUKE FALLON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| WADDELL HANCOCK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| PEEK GARLINGTON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| LIBBY JONES | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVE RAGAN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| MARY LOWRY | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| BOYCE MARTIN | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD MASSON | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL KEITH | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHEN JB DAVIS | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HANZLY ALBINA | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| LYNN HANCOCK | BOARD MEMBER Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HELEN ALEXANDER | VICE-CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| MARGARET GRAVES | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| JOEL TURNER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL POTAPOV | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 4 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 249 E MAIN ST STE 201, LEXINGTON, KY 40507-1886
- In care of
- % BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVACY
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- JESSIE HANCOCK, 450 OLD VINE STREET 200, LEXINGTON, KY 40507
- Signed the 990
- JESSIE HANCOCK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (859) 255-4552
- Return prepared by
- CHERRY BEKAERT ADVISORY LLC
Mission
FOUNDED IN 1995, BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY IS A COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED, NONPROFIT, NATIONALLY ACCREDITED LAND TRUST WORKING TO PROTECT LAND IN THE BLUEGRASS REGION OF KENTUCKY THROUGH PERMANENT CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. WE DO THIS THROUGH EDUCATION AND BY PROMOTING THE PRESERVATION OF LAND FOR AGRICULTURE, HISTORIC AND CULTURAL HERITAGE, WILDLIFE HABITAT, NATURAL RESOURCES, WATER QUALITY, AND SCENIC OPEN SPACE, TO SUSTAIN A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE.
Program accomplishments
- FOUNDED IN 1995, BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY IS A COMMUNITY-SUPPORTED, NONPROFIT, NATIONALLY ACCREDITED LAND TRUST WORKING TO PROTECT THE BLUEGRASS REGION OF KENTUCKY THROUGH LAND CONSERVATION FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. IT ENCOURAGES THE PRESERVATION OF THESE LANDS FOR AGRICULTURAL VIABILITY, NATURAL HABITAT, RURAL HERITAGE, AND SCENIC OPEN SPACE. THANKS TO INCREASING COMMUNITY SUPPORT, THE CONSERVANCY HAS ASSISTED NUMEROUS FARM FAMILIES TO PERMANENTLY PROTECT OVER 33,700 ACRES USING CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. AN ALL-VOLUNTEER BOARD OF DIRECTORS GOVERNS BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY, WHILE A SMALL STAFF CARRIES ON OUR DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS SUCH AS ASSISTING FAMILIES WITH CONSERVING THEIR FARMS, PROVIDING GUIDANCE TOWARDS THE LONG-TERM MONITORING AND STEWARDSHIP OF PROTECTED LANDS, UPHOLDING THE LONG-TERM CONSERVATION VISION FOR EACH PROPERTY, AND EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF LAND CONSERVATION.Expenses $1,242,147
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 June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | June 30, 2026 | November 16, 2026 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | June 30, 2025 | November 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | June 30, 2024 | November 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 61-1293032
- 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
- 2001
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Environment (C340)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $11,508,476
- Income (IRS master file)
- $6,851,624
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | $6,616,412 | $1,571,591 | $11,508,476 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2024 | $3,070,920 | $1,086,085 | $5,916,202 | XML |
| 990 | June 2023 | $1,020,312 | $1,065,420 | $3,770,024 | XML |
| 990 | June 2022 | $932,338 | $861,323 | $3,438,445 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 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 (search EIN 61-1293032).
Questions about BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY INC
- What is the EIN of BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY INC is 61-1293032.
- Is BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2001.
- Are donations to BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY 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 BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names JESSIE HANCOCK.
- Who are the officers and directors of BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY INC?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 21 people; 2 received compensation from the organization, the highest $169,500 (ASHLEY GREATHOUSE, COUNSEL & DIRECTOR OF CONSERVATION).
- How much revenue does BLUEGRASS LAND CONSERVANCY INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $6,616,412, expenses of $1,571,591 and total assets of $11,508,476 at year end.
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