Openlands protects the natural and open spaces of northeastern illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich our lives.

501(c)(3) charity; gifts are tax-deductible.
74¢ of each $1 spent went to programs.
Run by 1,269 volunteers and 60 employees.
Mission: Form 990 Part I, line 1 · Status: IRS Pub. 78 · Programs: Part IX · People: Part I, lines 5–6

Before you give

FY2025 · Form 990Independent: from IRS data, not the org
Download 990
IRS status
501(c)(3)
not on the IRS revocation list
Looks good: listed by the IRS and not on the revocation list.
IRS BMF · Auto-Revocation List
Tax-deductible gifts
Yes
Donations are tax-deductible
Looks good: the IRS lists gifts to it as deductible.
IRS Pub. 78 · IRS BMF
Latest return
FY2025
latest Form 990
Looks good: the latest return is for FY2025, 1 tax year back; within 2 tax years.
IRS e-file · Filing history
Surplus or deficit
5 of 6
filings with a surplus
Average surplus $1.4M a year · 15% of revenue · last 6 filings
Fine: a surplus in 5 of the last 6 filings.
Pt I · Ln 19 · 6 filings
Spent on programs
74%
of spending
Fine: 74% of spending went to programs; 65% to 75%.
Pt IX · Ln 25 · col B
Pay to officers and key staff
$736K
to officers and key staff · 10% of spending
Looks good: pay to officers and key staff is 10% of spending; 15% or less.
Pt VII · Sec A
25 mo
of spending, in cash
Looks good: 24.8 months of spending in cash; 3 or more.
Pt X · Ln 1–2 · Pt I · Ln 18
Named funders
3
named funders · $58K
Looks good: 3 funders name it on their filings; 3 or more.
Funders’ Sch. I, 990-PF
Liabilities
$2.3M
5% of total assets
Looks good: liabilities are 5% of assets; 50% or less.
Pt X · Ln 26
Independent board members
29
of 29 voting members
Looks good: 29 of 29 voting members are independent, a majority.
Pt VI · Ln 1a–1b
Looks goodFineWorth a lookConcernNo data yetTap a box for the reason.
Revenue
$11.5M
+11% vs prior year
Spent
$7.7M
To programs
74%
Net assets
$41.0M
By yearFY2020–FY2025
Revenue
$11.5M
FY2025▲ +11%
Tap a bar for its year
Revenue by fiscal year
FY2020$7.1M
FY2021$9.3M
FY2022$8.5M
FY2023$8.1M
FY2024$10.3M
FY2025$11.5M
Expenses
$7.7M
FY2025▼ -17%
Tap a bar for its year
Expenses by fiscal year
FY2020$6.2M
FY2021$6.2M
FY2022$6.3M
FY2023$10.9M
FY2024$9.2M
FY2025$7.7M
Net assets
$41.0M
FY2025▲ +14%
Tap a bar for its year
Net assets by fiscal year
FY2020$30.3M
FY2021$34.6M
FY2022$34.7M
FY2023$32.7M
FY2024$35.8M
FY2025$41.0M

From the FY2025 Form 990 (year ending September 2025) · figures checked against the IRS filing · see the original

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Is it real?

Yes. Never revoked by the IRS. Latest filing on record: FY2025. IRS ruling in Jul 1968.

IRS Pub. 78 · IRS Auto-Revocation List · IRS Business Master File

Where the money goes

74 cents of each dollar spent went to programs.

Program services 74% · $5.7M Management & general 18% · $1.4M Fundraising 8% · $623K

Form 990 Part IX, line 25, columns B–D. Every line is in By the numbers.

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Who runs it and what they're paid

32 people listed on the 990; $736K paid to officers and key staff.

Part VII, Section A · reportable compensation · most recent filed roster (FY2024); the FY2025 filing did not itemize Part VII
President and CEO
$232,538Pt VII · Sec A
$157,829Pt VII · Sec A
VP of Policy and Land Preservation
$133,027Pt VII · Sec A
Director of Finance
$111,476Pt VII · Sec A
Director of Development
$100,865Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A
Director
$0Pt VII · Sec A
$0Pt VII · Sec A

Compensation history total reportable pay by year · 8 named individuals · Part VII

NameFY2025FY2024FY2023FY2022FY2021FY2020
Michael Davidson$232,538—————
Gerald Adlemann——$232,020———
Gerald Adlemann Thru 111323—$220,139————
Gerald W Adelmann———$217,852$213,212$208,197
Robert Megquier———$167,826$163,942$158,923
Daniella Pereira$157,829$130,801$125,483$117,845$116,075—
Nora Hennessey————$143,139$129,561
Diane Sotiros——$140,507$120,477$121,988$124,241

Total reportable compensation (Form 990 Part VII column D / Schedule J column E) by filing year, matched by name within this organization. The Schedule J base / bonus / deferred breakdown is not parsed into this dataset.

See Openlands executive salaries →

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Questions the 990 asks

The form asks each of these directly. These are the filed answers.

  • Family or business ties among officersPt VI · Ln 2No
  • Top official's pay set by an independent reviewPt VI · Ln 15aYes

Programs and updates

Protects and restores natural areas, open spaces, and wildlife habitats across northeastern Illinois to ensure clean air, clean water, and accessible nature for everyone.

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Provided by the organization

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3 programs · $4.8M · in their own filed words · FY2024
01

Forestry and Community Engagement

Openlands Forestry programming supports the planting of trees with community residents on public land and educates residents in the care and advocacy around the urban forest. In FY 25, Openlands planted 1,3158 trees.

$2.2Mprogram expense
02

Restoration and Greenways

Openlands works to return the Chicago Region to a healthy state for nature, wildlife, and people. We work with diverse partners to accomplish ecological restoration goals that ensure resilient and biodiverse ecosystems for years to come.In 2025: we continued phase 1 of a 1,500 acre grassland bird restoration project in the Grant Creek…

$1.3Mprogram expense
03

Land Preservation

As Chicago's regional land trust, Openlands connects and energizes the region through strategic collaboration and local partnerships that protect land, water, and wildlife. In 2025, Openlands acquired and transferred land holdings to regional partners in and around the metro Chicago area.

$1.3Mprogram expense

Funders

Who pays for it.

From grant filings on record. Receipts are incomplete: individual donors are never listed.

Grants

Schedule I · received and paid
Grants received · FY2025
Total grants receivedfrom 3 funders$58K
See all 3 funders →
Grants paid · 122 grants · $2.7M · 2019–2024
The Wetlands InitiativeIL · FY2024$165,341
Forest Preserve District of Dupage CountyFY2024$10,000
Kendall County Forest Preserve DistrictFY2024$10,000
NeighborspaceIL · FY2024$10,000
Conservation FoundationIL · FY2024$10,000
Dekalb County Regional Office of EducationFY2024$10,000
Origin Woods RestorationIL · FY2024$10,000
North Chicago Community Unit School District 187FY2024$9,850
Gray School PTOIL · FY2024$9,647
Climate Action EvanstonIL · FY2024$9,300
Chicago Park DistrictFY2024$8,265
Latinos ProgresandoIL · FY2024$7,683
Just RootsIL · FY2024$5,102
Peace VillageIL · FY2024$5,000
City of HarvardFY2024$4,750
See all 122 grants →

By the numbers

The FY2025 990, line by line.

1The main four
Money inPt VIII
$11.5M
Ln 12
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$10.6M
Investment incomeLn 3$863K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$150K
Money outPt IX
$7.7M
Ln 25
Programscol B$5.7M
Managementcol C$1.4M
Fundraisingcol D$623K
Owns and owesPt X
$41.0M
net assets · Ln 32
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$15.9M
Total assetsLn 16$43.3M
LiabilitiesLn 26$2.3M
PeoplePt VI, VII
32
listed · VII A
PaidVII A5
Voting boardVI 1a29
IndependentVI 1b29
2In more detail
Revenue in detailPt VIII
Gifts and grantsLn 1h$10.6M
Government grantsLn 1e$1.9M
Noncash giftsLn 1g$1.0M
Fundraising eventsLn 1c$320K
Fees for servicesLn 2g$150K
Investment incomeLn 3$863K
Gains on assetsLn 7$15K
Total revenueLn 12$11.5M
Assets in detailPt X, end of year
SavingsLn 2$15.9M
Cash and savings togetherLn 1–2$15.9M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$12.3M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$6.6M
Other assetsLn 15$4.9M
Total assetsLn 16$43.3M
LiabilitiesLn 26$2.3M
Net assetsLn 32$41.0M
OperationsPt I, VI
EmployeesI 560
VolunteersI 61,269
Fiscal year endsHeaderSeptember
Conflict-of-interest policyVI 12aYes
Whistleblower policyVI 13Yes
Records policyVI 14Yes
3Year over year
Balance sheet, start vs end of yearPt X · col A, B
LineStart FY25End FY25
Cash and savingsLn 1–2$9.1M$15.9M
InvestmentsLn 11–13$10.7M$12.3M
Land, buildings, equipmentLn 10c$8.0M$6.6M
Total assetsLn 16$38.5M$43.3M
LiabilitiesLn 26$2.6M$2.3M
Net assetsLn 32$35.8M$41.0M
4Every line
Statement of functional expensesPt IX · every line
LineTotalProgramsManagementFundraising
Grants to domestic organizationsLn 1$326K$326K
Pay of current officers, directors and key staffLn 5$473K$210K$168K$95K
Pay of disqualified personsLn 6$0$0$0$0
Other salaries and wagesLn 7$2.9M$2.0M$482K$329K
Pension plan contributionsLn 8$76K$56K$15K$5K
Other employee benefitsLn 9$357K$279K$52K$26K
Payroll taxesLn 10$229K$165K$38K$26K
Legal feesLn 11b$27K$27K
Accounting feesLn 11c$52K$52K
Investment management feesLn 11f$28K$28K
Other fees for servicesLn 11g$709K$346K$348K$15K
Office expensesLn 13$47K$37K$5K$6K
Information technologyLn 14$101K$71K$16K$14K
OccupancyLn 16$437K$368K$16K$53K
TravelLn 17$18K$15K$2K$1K
Conferences, conventions and meetingsLn 19$81K$47K$18K$16K
Depreciation, depletion and amortizationLn 22$32K$27K$3K$2K
InsuranceLn 23$79K$25K$54K
Other expenses (24a–d)Ln 24$1.3M$1.3M$7K$9K
All other expensesLn 24e$387K$284K$77K$26K
Total functional expensesLn 25$7.7M$5.7M$1.4M$623K

Filing history

YearMoney inMoney outIn minus outNet assetsDownload
FY2025 Latest Viewing $11.5M$7.7M$3.8M$41.0M 990 PDF
FY2024 $10.3M$9.2M$1.1M$35.8M 990 PDF
FY2023 $8.1M$10.9M−$2.8M$32.7M 990 PDF
FY2022 $8.5M$6.3M$2.1M$34.7M 990 PDF
FY2021 $9.3M$6.2M$3.0M$34.6M 990 PDF
FY2020 $7.1M$6.2M$938K$30.3M 990 PDF

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Schedules filed Part IV

III · Programs R · Related orgs G · Fundraising L · Interested persons I · Grants A · Public support M · Noncash J · Pay O · Explanations
See the full FY2025 990 (6 parts)
Part I · Summary $11,496,900 revenue, 12 lines filed
I-8 Contributions and grantsPrior year $9,360,666$10,589,565
I-9 Program service revenuePrior year $144,221$149,982
I-10 Investment incomePrior year $940,635$863,088
I-11 Other revenuePrior year −$126,053−$105,735
I-12 Total revenuePrior year $10,319,469$11,496,900
I-13 Grants and similar amounts paidPrior year $283,913$325,938
I-14 Benefits paid to members$0
I-15 Salaries and benefitsPrior year $3,872,034$3,992,018
I-16a Professional fundraising feesPrior year $0$0
I-17 Other expensesPrior year $5,041,065$3,341,986
I-18 Total expensesPrior year $9,197,012$7,659,942
I-19 Revenue less expensesPrior year $1,122,457$3,836,958
Part VI · Governance 29 of 29 board members independent, no flags
VI-1a Voting members of the governing body29
VI-1b Independent voting members29
VI-2 Family or business relationship among officers or directorsNo
VI-12a Written conflict of interest policyYes
VI-13 Written whistleblower policyYes
VI-14 Document retention and destruction policyYes
VI-15a Process for setting top official's payYes
Part VIII · Statement of revenue $11,496,900 across 11 lines filed
VIII-1c Fundraising events$319,931
VIII-1e Government grants$1,880,093
VIII-1f All other contributions, gifts and grants$8,389,541
VIII-1g Noncash contributions (included above)$1,028,974
VIII-1h Total contributions, gifts and grants$10,589,565
VIII-2a-f Program service revenue, itemized rows (sum of 2a–2f as filed)Related to mission $149,982$149,982
VIII-3 Investment incomeExcluded from tax $848,464$848,464
VIII-6 Net rental income or lossRelated to mission $24,250$24,250
VIII-7 Net gain or loss on sales of assetsRelated to mission $14,705 · Excluded from tax −$81$14,624
VIII-8 Net income from fundraising eventsExcluded from tax −$129,985−$129,985
VIII-12 Total revenueRelated to mission $188,937 · Unrelated business $0 · Excluded from tax $718,398$11,496,900
Part IX · Statement of functional expenses $7,659,942 across 20 lines filed
IX-1 Grants to domestic organizationsPrograms $325,938$325,938
IX-5 Pay of current officers, directors and key staffPrograms $210,323 · Management $167,656 · Fundraising $95,287$473,266
IX-6 Pay of disqualified personsPrograms $0 · Management $0 · Fundraising $0$0
IX-7 Other salaries and wagesPrograms $2,046,037 · Management $481,591 · Fundraising $328,770$2,856,398
IX-8 Pension plan contributionsPrograms $55,718 · Management $15,470 · Fundraising $4,800$75,988
IX-9 Other employee benefitsPrograms $278,969 · Management $52,095 · Fundraising $26,418$357,482
IX-10 Payroll taxesPrograms $164,665 · Management $38,429 · Fundraising $25,790$228,884
IX-11b Legal feesPrograms $27,213$27,213
IX-11c Accounting feesManagement $51,868$51,868
IX-11f Investment management feesManagement $27,608$27,608
IX-11g Other fees for servicesPrograms $346,309 · Management $347,820 · Fundraising $15,216$709,345
IX-13 Office expensesPrograms $36,842 · Management $4,672 · Fundraising $5,619$47,133
IX-14 Information technologyPrograms $71,063 · Management $15,872 · Fundraising $13,641$100,576
IX-16 OccupancyPrograms $368,094 · Management $16,151 · Fundraising $52,991$437,236
IX-17 TravelPrograms $15,392 · Management $1,524 · Fundraising $1,113$18,029
IX-19 Conferences, conventions and meetingsPrograms $47,320 · Management $17,815 · Fundraising $15,724$80,859
IX-22 Depreciation, depletion and amortizationPrograms $27,448 · Management $2,518 · Fundraising $1,937$31,903
IX-23 InsurancePrograms $24,796 · Management $53,877$78,673
IX-24 Other expenses (24a–d)Programs $1,328,568 · Management $6,602 · Fundraising $9,209$1,344,379
IX-24e All other expensesPrograms $284,061 · Management $76,982 · Fundraising $26,121$387,164
IX-25 Total functional expensesPrograms $5,658,756 · Management $1,378,550 · Fundraising $622,636$7,659,942
Part X · Balance sheet $43,306,045 assets, 16 lines filed
Asset lines not itemized here account for $150,000; see the IRS return.
X-2 Savings and temporary cash investmentsStart of year $9,117,531$15,851,651
X-3 Pledges and grants receivableStart of year $4,955,477$2,614,132
X-4 Accounts receivableStart of year $247,256$655,267
X-9 Prepaid expenses and deferred chargesStart of year $271,527$292,618
X-10c Land, buildings and equipment, netStart of year $7,988,002$6,610,340
X-11 Publicly traded securitiesStart of year $10,656,211$12,273,316
X-15 Other assetsStart of year $5,111,133$4,858,721
X-16 Total assetsStart of year $38,497,137$43,306,045
X-17 Accounts payable and accrued expensesStart of year $368,798$401,503
X-19 Deferred revenueStart of year $335,192$341,462
X-25 Other liabilitiesStart of year $1,945,145$1,518,875
X-26 Total liabilitiesStart of year $2,649,135$2,261,840
X-27 Net assets without donor restrictionsStart of year $5,819,282$8,990,885
X-28 Net assets with donor restrictionsStart of year $30,028,720$32,053,320
X-32 Total net assets or fund balancesStart of year $35,848,002$41,044,205
X-33 Total liabilities and net assetsStart of year $38,497,137$43,306,045
Part XI · Reconciliation of net assets $41,044,205 net assets at year end
XI-1 Total revenue$11,496,900
XI-2 Total expenses$7,659,942
XI-3 Revenue less expenses$3,836,958
XI-4 Net assets at start of year$35,848,002
XI-5 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments$902,745
XI-9 Other changes in net assets$456,500
XI-10 Net assets at end of year$41,044,205

Form 990 e-file (XML) FY2025 from the IRS · Classification, formation year and address from the IRS Business Master File

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