A YEAR IN REVIEW
July 2021-June 2022
A Letter From our Executive Director, Bri Fordem
July 2021-June 2022 marked an unprecedented time for us. It was a year that started still very much in tune with caseloads of COVID-19, sensitivity to gathering and hosting programs or meetings in person while still striving to meet our mission. We celebrated the finalization of our largest land sale to the state, added two new team members in fundraising and education and ended the year returning to in-person programming. It was a year of maintaining optimism and our nimble qualities as we attempted to gracefully surf the wave of change, challenges, and success.
One of the most significant outcomes of last year was the finalization of our education and organizational strategic plans. The creation of these plans resulted in a five-year road map to meet our goals as the official cooperating association to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park with special attention to the impact and need for education. As we surge ahead with these intentional and integrated plans, we are excited to share more with you on our continued communications via email, social media, programming and our newly updated website coming in early 2023.
As you review our organization's stats from last year, you may notice new categories and significant changes to our percentages from prior years, Land Sales and Planned Giving. Both areas are not something we typically plan for or can rely on from year to year as their nature is embedded in several uncontrollable variables. We are incredibly thankful for these income areas, regardless of their nature, and we plan and act conservatively to align with our goals in sustainability and resilience.
Land Sales:
As you are likely aware, we transferred ~17,600 acres of land that we had purchased and held to become parkland over the last 25 years. This massive transaction took just over five years to complete for several reasons, but one of the most critical was the process of qualifying for federal grant funding (Land Water Conservation Fund) to help cover the cost for ABF to buy the land. Essentially, we are reimbursed through grant funds for a percentage of that land's cost, which is a major portion of what you see for our income last year. This is a special kind of income as the percentage paid to ABF comes back to us with several restrictions and the opportunity to continue our land conservation program. Most of this income was divided into Wilderness Lands, General Land Inholdings and Park Support. The first two are relatively self-explanatory, but Park support has been split into two Park Support Funds that will soon be developed into a more formal program for distribution to qualifying Park projects and programs. We plan to announce this new program later in 2023.
Planned Giving:
Through the years, we have learned of donors who have held a very special place in their hearts for this amazing desert, so much so that they have named ABF as the beneficiary of their trust or estate to help us continue fulfilling our mission. I am always in awe of those who have put so much planning and intentionality into leaving a legacy for something they feel passionate about.
I am truly honored to be working for an organization that can help facilitate a meaningful legacy for this one-of-akind place. These gifts are mostly a surprise to us and are received in a very special way. Unlike a regular donation, planned gifts are reviewed by our trustees to first meet the donor's wishes and any critical needs of the organization with final priority to support our Legacy Fund. Started less than a decade ago, our Legacy Fund's goal is to grow to support all of ABF's operational needs so that 100% of every dollar we receive from our donors can go directly to supporting programs, services and Park vitality. Our priority for these gifts is to truly create a lasting impact, as we know these donors have given a lifetime of effort for a legacy and want this special Park to go on for others to enjoy the same way they did.
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"I am truly honored to be working for an organization that can help facilitate a meaningful legacy for this one-of-a-kind place. These gifts are mostly a surprise to us and are received in a very special way.
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- Bri Fordem
Executive Director
