Nonprofit · EIN 39-6089450
SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION INC
Tax-exempt · MADISON, WI 53703
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $4,164,829 | $4,900,884 | -$736,055 | $13,721,514 | $1,177,593 | $12,543,921 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $4,052,645 | $9,563,434 | -$5,510,789 | $12,918,510 | $558,285 | $12,360,225 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $7,327,567 | $7,536,098 | -$208,531 | $17,485,614 | $685,858 | $16,799,756 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $3,659,493
- of which government grants
- $2,292,771
- Program service revenue
- $44,545
- Investment income
- $456,454
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $162,797
- Other revenue
- $4,337
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $1,126,059
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $409,659
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,317,151
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $2,283,256
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $2,018
- Accounting fees
- $93,198
- Occupancy
- $66,448
- Travel
- $119,209
- Program services (functional)
- $4,011,893
- Management and general (functional)
- $706,481
- Fundraising (functional)
- $182,510
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $12,918,510
- Total assets, end of year
- $13,721,514
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,177,593
- Net assets, end of year
- $12,543,921
- Publicly traded securities
- $7,812,043
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $8,555,515
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $3,988,406
- Gross receipts
- $7,820,215
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 16
- Year formed
- 1965
- State of legal domicile
- WI
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 December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEVIN MCALEESE | PRESIDENT & CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $200,000 | $27,663 |
| HEIDI PETERSON | VICE PRESIDENT - AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & CONSERVAT Key employee | 40 | $170,195 | $6,800 |
| CHRISTINA SCHELLPFEFFER | VICE PRESIDENT - EXTERNAL RELATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $139,533 | $17,969 |
| LANCE IRVING | VICE PRESIDENT - LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD Highest-paid employee | 40 | $132,295 | $25,114 |
| BRENT HAGLUND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $5,000 | $0 |
| HOMER BUELL | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID HANSON | VICE-CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NANCY DELONG | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TOM ZALE | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JIMMY BRAMBLETT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DICK CATES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN DUNCAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TOM FOLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BOB PERSCHEL | DIRECTOR (FROM APRIL) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| VICTOR HARRIS | DIRECTOR (FROM FEBRUARY) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
6 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROD SNYDER | DIRECTOR (FROM APRIL) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| STAN TEMPLE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ED WARNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LYNN SCARLETT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LYNNE SHERROD | DIRECTOR (THRU APRIL) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| NITA VAIL | DIRECTOR (THRU APRIL) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 19 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEVIN MCALEESE | PRESIDENT & CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $192,509 | $31,697 |
| HEIDI PETERSON PHD | VP - AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & CONSERVATION Key employee | 40 | $161,014 | $6,433 |
| LANCE IRVING | VP - LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD Highest-paid employee | 40 | $126,924 | $29,602 |
| CHRISTINA SCHELLPFEFFER | VP - EXTERNAL RELATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $133,514 | $20,672 |
| BRENT HAGLUND PHD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $5,000 | $0 |
| DAVID HANSON | VICE-CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NANCY DELONG | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HOMER BUELL | TREASURER (THRU MARCH)/CHAIRMAN (BEG APRIL) Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS ZALE | TREASURER (BEG APRIL) Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LYNNE SHERROD | CHAIR (THRU APRIL) Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BLAIR CALVERT FITZSIMONS | DIRECTOR (THRU AUGUST) Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EDWARD WARNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STANLEY TEMPLE PHD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TOM FOLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN DUNCAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NITA VAIL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LYNN SCARLETT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DICK CATES PHD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JIMMY BRAMBLETT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 20 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KEVIN MCALEESE | PRESIDENT & CEO Trustee or director, Officer | 40 | $192,528 | $24,712 |
| HEIDI PETERSON PHD | VP AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION & RESEARCH Highest-paid employee | 40 | $163,694 | $6,543 |
| CHRIS SCHELLPFEFFER | VP EXTERNAL RELATIONS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $142,775 | $17,028 |
| LANCE IRVING | LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD Highest-paid employee | 40 | $128,917 | $23,264 |
| TIMOTHY MALE PHD | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - EPIC Former | 40 | $135,366 | $5,422 |
| MAUREEN O'REILLY CUNNINGHAM | CHIEF STRAT OFF & DIR OF WATER - EPIC Former | 40 | $116,203 | $4,641 |
| BRENT HAGLUND PHD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $5,000 | $0 |
| LYNNE SHERROD | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID HANSON | VICE CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NANCY DELONG | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| HOMER BUELL | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BLAIR CALVERT FIZSIMONS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD CATES PHD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| THOMAS ZALE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EDWARD WARNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STANLEY TEMPLE PHD | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TOM FOLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN DUNCAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| NITA VAIL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LYNN SCARLETT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 44 E MIFFLIN ST STE 1005, MADISON, WI 53703-2800
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- KEVIN MCALEESE, 44 E MIFFLIN STREET 1005, MADISON, WI 53703
- Signed the 990
- KEVIN MCALEESE, PRESIDENT & CEO
- Phone
- (608) 663-4605
- Website
- SANDCOUNTYFOUNDATION.ORG
- Return prepared by
- WEGNER CPAS LLP
Mission
SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND EMPOWER A GROWING NUMBER OF LAND OWNERS AND MANAGERS TO ETHICALLY CARE FOR THE LAND TO SUSTAIN WATER RESOURCES, BUILD HEALTHY SOIL, ENHANCE WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND SUPPORT OUTDOOR RECREATION.
Program accomplishments
- AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION - THE FOUNDATION'S AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION PROGRAM DEMONSTRATES LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT PROTECT SOIL AND WATER, UTILIZE THEM MORE EFFICIENTLY, AND MAXIMIZE THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS AND PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY OF AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS. WE STRIVE TO ENSURE THAT CONSERVATION MEASURES ENHANCE THE LONG-TERM PROFITABILITY AND RESILIENCE OF FARMS AND RANCHES.Expenses $2,919,495 · grants $805,356 · revenue $38,170
- LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD - THE LEOPOLD CONSERVATION AWARD RECOGNIZES FARMERS, RANCHERS AND FORESTERS FOR ACHIEVEMENTS IN CONSERVATION ON WORKING LAND. WITH PROMINENT PARTNERS IN MANY STATES ACROSS THE U.S., THE FOUNDATION PRESENTS THE ANNUAL AWARDS IN SETTINGS THAT SHOWCASE THE LANDOWNERS' CONSERVATION SUCCESS AMONG THEIR PEERS.Expenses $970,865 · grants $200,000 · revenue $6,375
- CONSERVATION POLICY AND INFLUENCE - THROUGH ITS CONSERVATION POLICY INITIATIVE, THE FOUNDATION USES SOME OF THE SAME PRINCIPLES FROM ITS BODY OF WORK TO BUILD AND SUPPORT ECOSYSTEM-SCALE SPECIES CONSERVATION MODELS, GREATER ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER SUPPLIES, AND BETTER USE OF DATA TECHNOLOGY TO ACHIEVE ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION.Expenses $121,533 · grants $120,703
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 December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 39-6089450
- 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
- 1965
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $13,721,514
- Income (IRS master file)
- $7,820,215
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $4,164,829 | $4,900,884 | $13,721,514 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $4,052,645 | $9,563,434 | $12,918,510 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $7,327,567 | $7,536,098 | $17,485,614 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $9,598,224 | $6,579,675 | $16,718,946 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 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 39-6089450).
Questions about SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION INC
- What is the EIN of SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION INC is 39-6089450.
- Is SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1965.
- Are donations to SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION 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 SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION INC due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names KEVIN MCALEESE.
- Who are the officers and directors of SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 21 people; 5 received compensation from the organization, the highest $200,000 (KEVIN MCALEESE, PRESIDENT & CEO).
- How much revenue does SAND COUNTY FOUNDATION INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $4,164,829, expenses of $4,900,884 and total assets of $13,721,514 at year end.
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