Openlands
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
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.
- Income
- $11.5 million
- Spending
- $7.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 3.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 76%
- Employees
- 60
- Volunteers
- 1,269
- Highest pay
- $246,535, president and ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100.
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 33% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2529 of 29 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $2.2 million spent. 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. Through the Openlands TreeKeeper Certification Course, community residents gain the knowledge and skills needed to care for, protect, and advocate for trees. In FY25 trained 123 individuals. TreeKeepers participated in 255 volunteer events, resulting in 4,446 trees pruned and 1,362 trees inventoried. (Expenses $ 434,588 including grants of $) Policy - In the City of Chicago, Openlands has been actively engaged with the Urban Forestry Advisory Board and also published a policy report calling for an update of the Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection Ordinance. Regionally, Openlands celebrated the passage of successful ballot measures in DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry Counties that will generate $669 million in new funding to support their forest preserves and conservation district over the next 20 years. In state government, Openlands advocated for legislation that upholds our values and mission. Openlands was instrumental in the passage of a new state law to strengthen protections for township open space districts. Federally, Openlands advocated for the Forest Conservation Easement Program, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. (Expenses $ 396,647 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 23,540) Other Programs
- $1.3 million spent. 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 Watershed at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.
- $1.3 million spent. 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. The Lands In Harmony program allowed over 70 private landowners to learn about sustainable land management for their properties (Expenses $ 434,588 including grants of $) Policy - In the City of Chicago, Openlands has been actively engaged with the Urban Forestry Advisory Board and also published a policy report calling for an update of the Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection Ordinance. Regionally, Openlands celebrated the passage of successful ballot measures in DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry Counties that will generate $669 million in new funding to support their forest preserves and conservation district over the next 20 years. In state government, Openlands advocated for legislation that upholds our values and mission. Openlands was instrumental in the passage of a new state law to strengthen protections for township open space districts. Federally, Openlands advocated for the Forest Conservation Easement Program, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. (Expenses $ 396,647 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 23,540) Other Programs
- $434,588 spent. Policy - In the City of Chicago, Openlands has been actively engaged with the Urban Forestry Advisory Board and also published a policy report calling for an update of the Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection Ordinance. Regionally, Openlands celebrated the passage of successful ballot measures in DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry Counties that will generate $669 million in new funding to support their forest preserves and conservation district over the next 20 years. In state government, Openlands advocated for legislation that upholds our values and mission. Openlands was instrumental in the passage of a new state law to strengthen protections for township open space districts. Federally, Openlands advocated for the Forest Conservation Easement Program, Land and Water Conservation Fund, Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge, and Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.
- $396,647 spent. Other Programs
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1968.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.