The Living Desert

Analysis

The Living Desert is a registered charity in United States, based in Palm Desert, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in August 1979, 47 years ago. Its declared purposes cover environment, which this site groups under environment and conservation. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (gross receipts test) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending June 2023, The Living Desert reported income of $30.6m and spending of $20.5m, leaving 33% of income unspent that year. Across the 4 years on record, from June 2020 to June 2023, income grew from $24.0m to $30.6m (+28%), an average of +8.4% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to June 2021, when income rose by 36%. Over the whole period it spent 53% of the income it received.

Among 10,430 United States charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, The Living Desert sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile, and in the 98th percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Brooklyn Botanic Garden Corporation ($30.5m), Rare Inc ($30.9m) and Council on the Environment Inc ($30.3m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending June 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 43% and program service revenue 48% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $824k (4.0% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $8.3m. At year end it held assets of $144.7m against liabilities of $5.3m, net assets of $139.5m. It reported 244 employees.