Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

EIN: 621098890 501(c)(3) Environment

Asheville, NC

Total Revenue
$30,646,831
Total Expenses
$8,457,147
Total Assets
$148,373,858
Net Assets
$145,683,240
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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1974
Legal Domicile
NC
Principal Officer
Carl Silverstein
Phone
8282530095
Tax Period
2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, founded in 1974, is a mid-sized nonprofit in the Environment sector that reported $30.6M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue fell 36% from the prior year — a significant decline worth monitoring. The organization ran a surplus of $22.2M, a strong 72% operating margin.

Mission

To conserve the unique plant and animal habitat, clean water, farmland, scenic beauty, and places for all people to enjoy outdoor recreation in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, enduring for future generations. Continued-see schedule O.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $7,901,210 Revenue: $21,722

Over the past fiscal year we completed 19 major conservation transactions discussed below which protected 2,820 acres of key mountain lands. This includes 15 fee simple purchases and 4 conservation...

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Over the past fiscal year we completed 19 major conservation transactions discussed below which protected 2,820 acres of key mountain lands. This includes 15 fee simple purchases and 4 conservation easement purchases. The total value of the 19 transactions was $28.1 million. Landowner donation value was $3 million. The purchase price of the transactions was $25.1 million. At times the organization purchases land below appraised value in transactions that were not planned to be bargain purchases. In this tax year that difference totaled $0.3 million.

Program 2

The $25.1 million purchase prices came in the form of private philanthropic contributions and federal and state grants. We are now working on more than 50 significant transactions, which we hope will...

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The $25.1 million purchase prices came in the form of private philanthropic contributions and federal and state grants. We are now working on more than 50 significant transactions, which we hope will protect another 7,700 acres in the next 12-18 months. One particular transaction included above was the Richmond Hill Park Addition Its transaction value was $12.4 million.

Program 3

Our Farmland Access Program supports local communities, local food production, and the long- term productive use of farmland. We work with different members of the farming community to ensure that...

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Our Farmland Access Program supports local communities, local food production, and the long- term productive use of farmland. We work with different members of the farming community to ensure that our agricultural resources stay productive - providing local food from local farms. We continue to work toward our goals to Protect and Steward land, and to advance opportunities for access to land, in order to carry out SAHCs Vision and Mission. Our Connecting People with Nature program connects people with land for outdoor recreation, health, fitness, well-being and learning. We led 34 outings for over 700 people to protected places.

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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 $28,796,108
Program Service Revenue $21,772
Investment Income $1,715,907
Other Revenue $113,044
TOTAL REVENUE $30,646,831

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $18,500
Salaries & Benefits $2,002,947
Fundraising Expenses $218,910
Program Expenses $7,901,210
Other Expenses $6,435,700
TOTAL EXPENSES $8,457,147

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $30,646,831 $47,982,742 -0.4%
Expenses $8,457,147 $4,225,803 +1.0%
Net Income $22,189,684 $43,756,939 -0.5%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
13
Independent Members
13
Employees
28
Volunteers
490

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
6
$348,977
Total Directors
13
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Carl Silverstein Executive Director 40.00
Officer
$139,126 $41,481 $180,607
Kristy Urguhart Associate Director 40.00
Officer
$135,756 $32,614 $168,370
Sheryl Aikman President 2.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Larry Pender Vice President 2.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Pam Kelley Treasurer 2.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Janet Garret Secretary 2.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Kayla Carter Board Member 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Sarah Davis Board Member 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Mary Fanslow Board Member 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Kevin Fitzgerald Board Member 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Jeff Hatling Board Member 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
John McLendon Board Member 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Maria Palamar Board Member 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Spencer Scheidt Board Member 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Allison Williams Board Member 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 $30,646,831 $8,457,147 $148,373,858 $22,189,684
2024 $47,982,742 $4,225,803 $125,041,070 $43,756,939
2023 $10,962,249 $3,782,111 $80,376,793 $7,180,138
2022 $12,655,425 $6,396,426 $74,900,022 $6,258,999
2021 $8,832,084 $5,946,795 $70,393,648 $2,885,289
2020 $18,992,771 $4,451,653 $65,419,215 $14,541,118
2019 $4,866,546 $4,225,719 $48,456,213 $640,827
2018 $10,838,988 $3,650,985 $48,686,167 $7,188,003
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