BLUE SKY SUSTAINABLE LIVING CENTER

EIN: 461239650 501(c)(3) Environment

NEW CUYAMA, CA

Total Revenue
$534,299
Total Expenses
$615,382
Total Assets
$1,023,520
Net Assets
$1,013,302
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
2012
Legal Domicile
CA
Principal Officer
KELLY SCHMANDT FERGUSON
Phone
6614133005
Tax Period
2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31

BLUE SKY SUSTAINABLE LIVING CENTER, founded in 2012, is a small nonprofit in the Environment sector that reported $534K in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue surged 20% from the prior year, signaling strong growth momentum. Expenses of $615K exceeded revenue, resulting in a 15% operating deficit.

Mission

BLUE SKY CENTER IS A RURAL, PLACE-BASED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH THE MISSION TO STRENGTHEN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE CUYAMA VALLEY BY SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS AND BUILDING OUR REGIONAL CREATIVE & ECONOMIC RESOURCES.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $214,853 Revenue: $149,180

ALL OTHER PROGRAMS

Program 2
Expenses: $193,055 Revenue: $147,470

Creative Community Engagement:Our artwork is co-creation. Art that builds relationships, resonates in the community, and inspires action. We open difficult conversations that empower the 1,100 people...

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Creative Community Engagement:Our artwork is co-creation. Art that builds relationships, resonates in the community, and inspires action. We open difficult conversations that empower the 1,100 people of the Cuyama Valley with information and ways to express themselves. From our early research, we saw the power of using arts to identify and address Cuyama's rural and systemic issues. In 2024, we hosted Cuyama Song Camp and Cuyama Drama Club after-school programs with our local school district. We opened Paso O Paso, a vibrant community space where Cuyamans identified as artists and entrepreneurs. With an NEA grant, we published ideas from local students and local food producers in "A Post-Carrot Cuyama: A Food System Built on Community and distributed the "Unofficial Cuyama Valley Guide to Broadband Internet." The collective project "Bello Valle" had students celebrating Cuyama's bloom of colorful wildflowers. Our ninth annual Dia de los Muertos celebration raised funds for local students in collaboration with Amplify Arts Project and High Desert Print Company. To close the year, we came together in collaboration with Quail Springs to review artist applications for three upcoming Cuyama Water Justice Residencies, funded as part of a larger environmental justice grant from CalEPA.

Program 3
Expenses: $164,214 Revenue: $175,645

Economic Development through various programs including:Explore Cuyama - With our partners at the Cuyama Buckhorn, we are continuing to lay the groundwork to establish the Cuyama Valley as a...

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Economic Development through various programs including:Explore Cuyama - With our partners at the Cuyama Buckhorn, we are continuing to lay the groundwork to establish the Cuyama Valley as a treasured regional tourist destination through shared efforts and the visit Cuyama campaign. At our 267-acre property, we have expanded our capacity for the types of events and gatherings that we can host. Made in Cuyama - our moto that runs throughout the organization. Economic Development is the umbrella for our work, with three specific arenas: creative community engagement, food security, and community research. These are our strategies for supporting entrepreneurs and building our regional creative and economic resources, so that life for all Cuyama residents is resilient, thriving, and inclusive. At the Blue Sky Center Property, we continue to host local craftspeople in the "Blue Sky Shops." We provide space to work and one-on-one technical assistance for sustaining and growing their unique businesses. Cuyama Beverage Co - We support Cuyama Valley farmers and earn revenue for Blue Sky Center through sales of our dry session-style mead. Each bottle purchased contributes to regenerative economic development in the Cuyama Valley. L88 Airstrip - Now in its third year of operations, the newly resurfaced L88 Airstrip continues to expand its reputation as a regional destination for pilots, aviation enthusiasts, events, and photoshoots. Owned and managed by Blue Sky Center, the L88 Airstrip is stewarded by a dedicated team of volunteers who have been focused on the maintenance and expansion of service offerings. The airstrip has not only been used as a stop for pilots on their routes. Hot air balloons floated above the valley, gliders swooped through, supersonic drones tested their capabilities, R/C hobbyists showed off their remote-controlled model airplanes, and muscle cars flexed their wheels on our pavement! The future of our L88 Airstrip leads towards the horizon, full of possibilities. With planned upgrades and maintenance, it is only made possible by the support, time, and dedication of volunteers and donors.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $403,840
Program Service Revenue $121,896
Investment Income $0
Other Revenue $8,563
TOTAL REVENUE $534,299

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $317,594
Fundraising Expenses $5,318
Program Expenses $596,392
Other Expenses $297,788
TOTAL EXPENSES $615,382

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $534,299 $443,556 +0.2%
Expenses $615,382 $501,470 +0.2%
Net Income $-81,083 $-57,914 +0.4%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Financial Health Indicators

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Liquidity & Cash Position

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Governance

Voting Members
7
Independent Members
7
Employees
7
Volunteers
50

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
4
$63,679
Total Directors
8
$65,473
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
SAMUEL BASSETT Executive Dir. 33.00
Officer Director
$63,679 $0 $63,679
Carmen Sandoval-Aqimowon MEMBER-AT-LARGE 1.00
Director
$0 $1,794 $1,794
Ciara Ristig Member-at-Large 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
KELLY SCHMANDT FERGUSON President 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
JESSE SUGARMANN Secretary 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Katerina Barilov Treasurer 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Eric Meyer Member-at-Large 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
SAVANNAH FOX Secretary 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 No data No data No data No data
2024 $534,299 $615,382 $1,023,520 $-81,083
2023 $443,556 $501,470 $1,107,910 $-57,914
2022 $866,713 $832,302 $1,171,009 $34,411
2021 $320,274 $409,603 $1,161,413 $-89,329
2020 $252,600 $471,348 $1,230,462 $-218,748
2019 $425,238 $474,174 $1,430,479 $-48,936
2018 $490,320 $356,327 $1,479,415 $133,993
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