The Living Desert: $30.6M Revenue, $16.0M Program Expenses
Palm Desert, California · EIN 953385354 · Filing year 2023
The Living Desert reported $30.6M in total revenue, $20.5M in total expenses, and $144.7M in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990. 78.0% of expenses ($16.0M) went directly to programs. Top officer compensation is not reported on this 990 filing. Overall efficiency grade: B (68/100).
Source: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer — IRS Form 990 filings, filing year 2023.
Key Facts (2023 Form 990)
- Total Revenue
- $30.6M
- Total Expenses
- $20.5M
- Program Expenses
- $16.0M
- Program Expense Ratio
- 78.0%
- Total Assets
- $144.7M
- Reserve Months
- 84.5 months
- EIN
- 953385354
- Latest 990 Year
- 2023
- Top Officer Compensation
- Not reported
The Living Desert grades a B on the nonprofit efficiency rubric. 68/100 on the composite — above the national median, with strong performance on some factors balanced by middling performance on others.
At $30.6M in 2023 revenue, The Living Desert sits in the mid-range of the U.S. nonprofit distribution. Most organizations of this scale operate regionally or focus on a single program area. Program-spending efficiency is strong: 80% of total expenses flow to program activities, above the 75% benchmark most third-party charity raters use.
Five-year revenue trajectory is strongly positive: The Living Desert has grown materially in real terms, which usually signals successful fundraising and program expansion. CEO compensation is reported as zero in the filing — typical for nonprofits where the chief executive is paid through a related entity (parent system, university, or foundation) rather than the filing organization itself, or for small organizations whose chief is a volunteer or board member. The Living Desert works in Environment & Animals — environmental, conservation, animal-welfare, and natural-resources programs. The sector spans large international conservation groups and small local land trusts; the financial profile varies accordingly.
How The Living Desert Compares
The Living Desert directs 78.0% of spending to programs, meeting the 65% minimum recommended by charity watchdogs. Its efficiency score of 68/100 is 5 points below the Environment & Animals category average. The organization holds 84.5 months of operating reserves, indicating strong financial stability.
Where Your Donation Goes
Based on IRS tax-exempt organization data, for every dollar donated to The Living Desert, approximately 78.0 cents goes directly to program activities. The remaining funds cover administrative costs, fundraising, and management expenses.
Revenue History
The Living Desert has an Efficiency Score of B (68/100). Approximately 78.0% of expenses go directly to program activities, with the remainder covering administration and fundraising.
The Living Desert, Donor FAQ
The Living Desert has an Efficiency Score of B (68/100). Approximately 78.0% of expenses go directly to program activities, with the remainder covering administration and fundraising.
CEO/officer compensation for The Living Desert is not reported in the most recent IRS 990 filing on file.
The Living Desert reported $30.6M in annual revenue and $20.5M in total expenses for filing year 2023. The organization holds $144.7M in total assets.
For every dollar donated to The Living Desert, approximately 78.0 cents goes to program activities. The organization has 84.5 months of operating reserves, providing financial stability to sustain its mission.
The Living Desert is a registered 501(c) organization with EIN 953385354, based in Palm Desert, California. Financial data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Similar Environment & Animals Nonprofits
Financial data is sourced from IRS 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Efficiency Scores combine program spending ratio (50%), revenue growth (20%), reserve months (20%), and CEO compensation ratio (10%). Filing data may lag 6-18 months from the tax year.