Nonprofit · EIN 95-3385354
THE LIVING DESERT
Tax-exempt · PALM DESERT, CA 92260
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30, 2025 | 990 | $47,987,318 | $28,847,289 | $19,140,029 | $170,586,785 | $7,275,635 | $163,311,150 |
| June 30, 2024 | 990 | $41,500,614 | $25,539,071 | $15,961,543 | $156,168,736 | $3,598,194 | $152,570,542 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $11,340,448
- of which government grants
- $1,648,461
- Membership dues
- $75,606
- Program service revenue
- $17,127,406
- Investment income
- $16,673,398
- Net rental income
- $417,816
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $14,868,669
- Net income from fundraising events
- $601,956
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $1,826,294
- Other revenue
- $2,846,066
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $464,689
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $929,903
- Other salaries and wages
- $12,621,662
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $15,666,873
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Occupancy
- $1,348,252
- Travel
- $244,079
- Depreciation
- $3,886,071
- Program services (functional)
- $25,371,511
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,192,585
- Fundraising (functional)
- $2,283,193
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $156,168,736
- Total assets, end of year
- $170,586,785
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $7,275,635
- Net assets, end of year
- $163,311,150
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $84,550,979
- Publicly traded securities
- $68,828,927
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $104,450,082
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $58,861,068
- Gross receipts
- $65,182,057
- Employees
- 327
- Volunteers
- 643
- Year formed
- 1970
- State of legal domicile
- CA
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALLEN MONROE | PRESIDENT/CEO & ASST. SEC Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $686,827 | $9,921 |
| ALLISON KRUPP | VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $211,064 | $5,560 |
| JEFF PETROVIC | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $199,744 | $7,095 |
| DWIGHT MIDDENDOF | CFO & VP OF TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION Key employee | 40 | $192,317 | $11,329 |
| ROXANNA BREITIGAN | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $164,989 | $10,877 |
| ANNA YOUNG | VICE PRESIDENT OF LEARNING & IMPACT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $161,202 | $10,145 |
| JAMES DANOFF-BURG | VICE PRESIDENT OF CONSERVATION Highest-paid employee | 40 | $154,327 | $6,559 |
| BILL APPEL | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 2.6 | $0 | $0 |
| CRAIG MCCOLLAM | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2.1 | $0 | $0 |
| SANDRA COOPER WOODSON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 0.8 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH CHAPMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 7.3 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSAN COOPER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| MARYLYNN GLADSTEIN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| PHIL HASBROUCK | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| CANDACE HOLZGRAFE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.8 | $0 | $0 |
13 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| H EARL HOOVER II | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| SUZ HUNT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| MICHAEL KINER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.1 | $0 |
| JAISHRI MEHTA | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 |
| JNEIL NELSON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1.4 | $0 |
| PETER SCHEER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 |
| SALLY SIMONDS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.6 | $0 |
| BILL SIMPKINS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 |
| PHILLIP K SMITH JR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.8 | $0 |
| MARY LOU SOLOMON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 3.2 | $0 |
| LARRY SPICER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2.1 | $0 |
| SAM SPINELLO | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 |
| NANCY L STEGEHUIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 8.7 | $0 |
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 34 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALLEN MONROE | PRESIDENT/CEO & ASST. SEC Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $644,231 | $9,171 |
| DWIGHT MIDDENDOF | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER & VP OF TECHNOLOGY & INNOV Key employee | 40 | $152,437 | $10,037 |
| JEFF PETROVIC | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $152,228 | $4,472 |
| JAMES DANOFF-BURG | VICE PRESIDENT OF CONSERVATION Highest-paid employee | 40 | $145,875 | $9,506 |
| ROXANNA BREITIGAN | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $144,152 | $9,489 |
| TERRIE TERREL | VICE PRESIDENT OF PEOPLE AND CULTURE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $133,609 | $9,098 |
| BRIAN SAWICKI | DIRECTOR OF PARK DESIGN & MAINTENANCE Highest-paid employee | 40 | $119,393 | $8,932 |
| BILL APPEL | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 2.6 | $0 | $0 |
| CRAIG MCCOLLAM | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2.1 | $0 | $0 |
| SANDRA COOPER WOODSON | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 0.8 | $0 | $0 |
| JON-MARC BLALOCK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.5 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH CHAPMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 7.3 | $0 | $0 |
| MARYLYNN GLADSTEIN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| ALEXANDRA GLICKMAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM GOULD | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| CANDACE HOLZGRAFE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.8 | $0 | $0 |
| H EARL HOOVER II | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0 | $0 | $0 |
| SUZ HUNT | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL KINER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAISHRI MEHTA | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| JNEIL NELSON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1.4 | $0 | $0 |
| PETER SCHEER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.3 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL SCHRETER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1.6 | $0 | $0 |
| DICK SHALHOUB | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| SALLY SIMONDS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.6 | $0 | $0 |
| BILL SIMPKINS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.7 | $0 | $0 |
| BJ SKILLING | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.2 | $0 | $0 |
| PHILLIP K SMITH JR | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 0.8 | $0 | $0 |
| ROGER SNOBLE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 1.5 | $0 | $0 |
| MARY LOU SOLOMON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 3.2 | $0 | $0 |
| LARRY SPICER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2.1 | $0 | $0 |
| SAM SPINELLO | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0.4 | $0 | $0 |
| NANCY L STEGEHUIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 8.7 | $0 | $0 |
| JUDY VOSSLER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 0 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 47900 PORTOLA AVE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260-6156
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- ALLEN MONROE, 47-900 PORTOLA AVENUE, PALM DESERT, CA 92260
- Signed the 990
- ALLEN MONROE, PRESIDENT & CEO
- Phone
- (760) 346-5694
- Return prepared by
- DAVIS FARR LLP
Mission
THE LIVING DESERT MISSION IS TO ENHANCE DESERT CONSERVATION THROUGH PRESERVATION, EDUCATION AND APPRECIATION.
Program accomplishments
- CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMING: THE LIVING DESERT IS AN AGENT OF CONSERVATION WITH 100+ PROJECTS IN 12 COUNTRIES ON 3 CONTINENTS, COLLABORATING WITH 70+ IN-COUNTRY ORGANIZATIONS. WE ARE GLOBAL LEADERS IN COMMUNITY-BASED CONSERVATION USING SUCCESSFUL BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE-BASED TRAINING, RESEARCH, AND IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS ALL AROUND THE WORLD, WHILE ALSO INSPIRING RESOURCE SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS AMONG OUR VISITORS. THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OF THE LIVING DESERT COVER ALL ELEMENTS OF DESERT CONSERVATION AWARENESS TO PROVOKE CONSERVATION ACTIONS AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGE. WE REACH OVER 600,000 GUESTS ANNUALLY. WE PROVIDE INFORMAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING TO MORE THAN 50,000 ADULTS AND CHILDREN, INCLUDING OVER 30,000 SCHOOL CHILDREN. WE OFFER A DIVERSITY OF ENGAGING PROGRAMING THAT SPARKS A PASSION TO CARE FOR THE NATURAL WORLD.Expenses $4,611,459 · grants $464,689 · revenue $88,797
- COLLECTIONS: THE PLANTS AND ANIMALS AT THE LIVING DESERT HAVE IMPORTANT ROLES, AS THEY ARE AMBASSADORS FOR THEIR WILD COUNTERPARTS. THE LIVING DESERT MAINTAINS ONE OF THE MOST NOTABLE AND EXTENSIVE COLLECTIONS OF DESERT FLORA AND FAUNA IN THE UNITED STATES. AS ONE OF ONLY TWO ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS IN THE COUNTRY WITH DESERT CONSERVATION AS ITS MISSION, WE PROUDLY PROVIDE A HOME TO ALMOST 600 INDIVIDUAL DESERT ANIMALS OF OVER 152 SPECIES AND OVER 10,000 DESERT PLANTS OF OVER 1000 SPECIES IN OVER 50 THEMED GARDENS AND HABITATS. THE ZOO AND GARDENS IS SET WITHIN THE NATURAL SONORAN DESERT ENVIRONMENT IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE SANTA ROSA MOUNTAINS. THE CARETAKERS OF THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL CARE AND WELL-BEING FOR ALL OF THESE SPECIES. THESE CARETAKERS PROVIDE CONNECTIONS WITH THESE ANIMALS AND PLANTS WITH OUR GUESTS SO THEY CAN BE INSPIRED TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE FOR THE DESERTS OF THE WORLD.Expenses $11,529,753 · revenue $11,196,886
- MEMBERSHIP/PARK SERVICES: THE LIVING DESERT HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR ALMOST 55 YEARS. VARIOUS MEMBERSHIPS ARE OFFERED INCLUDING SINGLE, FAMILY, AND OTHER LEVELS, UP TO DONATIVE MEMBERSHIPS. THE LIVING DESERT'S MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM EXPANDS THE GUEST EXPERIENCE TO INCLUDE AN ONGOING CONNECTION TO THE MISSION AND SPECIAL EVENTS. EACH DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE LIVING DESERT TEAM STRIVES TO ASSURE EXCELLENCE IN THEIR AREA OF EXPERTISE TO PROVIDE OPTIMAL ANIMAL WELL- BEING, PARK PRESERVATION AND MEANINGFUL GUESTS CONNECTIONS. THE EXPERIENCE BEGINS WITH THE EASE OF PARKING AND PARK ENTRY; TO THE ENJOYMENT OF THE ANIMAL AND BOTANICAL COLLECTIONS; TO THE OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY EVENTS. THE LIVING DESERT BRINGS IN AN AUDIENCE FROM AROUND THE WORLD, BUT PARTICULARLY ACROSS THE COACHELLA VALLEY, A REGION NOTED FOR ITS RESORTS AND INFORMAL LEARNING PROCESSES.Expenses $9,230,299 · revenue $5,841,723
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
- 95-3385354
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1979
- Accounting year ends
- June
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Environment (C340)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $170,586,785
- Income (IRS master file)
- $65,182,057
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | June 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2023 | $30,580,354 | $20,547,217 | $144,724,558 | IRS |
| 990 | June 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | June 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 THE LIVING DESERT
- What is the EIN of THE LIVING DESERT?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of THE LIVING DESERT is 95-3385354.
- Is THE LIVING DESERT tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1979.
- Are donations to THE LIVING DESERT tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does THE LIVING DESERT 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 THE LIVING DESERT 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 THE LIVING DESERT 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 THE LIVING DESERT?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names ALLEN MONROE.
- Who are the officers and directors of THE LIVING DESERT?
- The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 28 people; 7 received compensation from the organization, the highest $686,827 (ALLEN MONROE, PRESIDENT/CEO & ASST. SEC).
- How much revenue does THE LIVING DESERT have?
- On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $47,987,318, expenses of $28,847,289 and total assets of $170,586,785 at year end.
Other nonprofits in PALM DESERT
- MIRALON PUBLIC MAINTENANCE CORPORATION EIN 81-4807645 · last filed 990-EZ for 2025
- HELPING YOU HEAL GARDENS INC EIN 88-0581179 · last filed 990-N for 2023
- DESERT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY EIN 45-0551245 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- TABI PO FOUNDATION EIN 88-3456484 · last filed 990-N for 2025
- BRETT LONG FOUNDATION EIN 92-2224590 · last filed 990-PF for 2024
- FRIENDS OF THE CULTURAL CENTER INC EIN 95-2834871 · last filed 990 for 2025
- DESERTARC EIN 95-6006700 · last filed 990 for 2025
- INDIAN RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB INC EIN 41-2045717 · last filed 990 for 2025