The Living Desert
The Living Desert mission is to enhance desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation.
The Living Desert at a glance
In short: The Living Desert gave $198K across 9 grants in 2025 (avg $22K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $197,500
- +44.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 9
- +28.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $21,944
- +12.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $12,500
- Total assets
- $170,586,785
- +9.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (63% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Living Desert funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Wildlife Conservation Network Inc ($85K). Together the top 9 received $198K.
Grant Size Distribution
32 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 29 grants of 32 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Living Desert gives
- Giving grew 51% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $17K (2021) to $198K (2025). In 2025 it made 9 grants totaling $198K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wildlife Conservation Network Inc San Francisco, CA | Conservation support - donations in support of multiple organization; grevy's zebra trust, painted dog reseach trust, wasima, ewaso lions, and cheetah conservation fund | $85,000 |
| Wildlife Protection Solutions Golden, CO | Conservation support - donation to community rhino conservation initiative | $20,000 |
| Applied Environmental Research Foundation Springboro, OH | Conservation Support - Idcs Desert Hero Award | $20,000 |
| Saving Slowpoke Incorporated Barstow, CA | Conservation Support - Idcs Desert Hero Award | $20,000 |
| Wild Nature Institute Weaverville, NC | Conservation Support - Annual Donation | $12,500 |
| National Marine Mammal Foundation San Diego, CA | Conservation Support - Vaquita - Operation Esperanza | $10,000 |
| Usgs Southwestern Biological Science Center Reston, VA | Conservation Support - Donation for Tortoise Research | $10,000 |
| Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association Los Angeles, CA | Conservation support - donation in support of peninsular pronghorn recovery program | $10,000 |
| Carnivores Livelihoods and Landscapes USA Hudsonville, MI | Conservation support - donation in support of action for cheetahs in kenya | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $170,586,785 | $47,987,318 | $28,847,289 | $197,500 | 9 | $16,673,398 |
| 2024 | $156,168,736 | $41,500,614 | $25,539,071 | $137,200 | 7 | $12,932,615 |
| 2023 | $144,724,558 | $30,580,354 | $20,547,217 | $85,000 | 6 | $1,441,760 |
| 2022 | $126,171,704 | $34,591,756 | $17,639,418 | $130,400 | 8 | $2,471,697 |
| 2021 | $125,250,143 | $32,677,048 | $12,464,214 | $17,000 | 2 | $9,762,072 |
About The Living Desert
Based on IRS filings
The Living Desert is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Palm Desert, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $170.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 9 grants totaling $198K. Net investment income was $16.7M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Living Desert is led by Allen Monroe, President, CEO & Assistant Secretary on every filing since 2021; 7 of 28 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Allen Monroe
President, CEO & Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$476K (2021) → $687K (2025)
Bill Appel
Chairman
On filings since 2021
2.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bill Simpkins
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Candace Holzgrafe
Director
On filings since 2021
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Chapman
Director
Trustee → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
7.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
H. Earl Hoover II
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jaishri Mehta
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jneil Nelson
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larry Spicer
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Lou Solomon
Trustee
On filings since 2021
3.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marylynn Gladstein
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Kiner
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy L. Stegehuis
Director
On filings since 2021
8.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Scheer
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phillip K. Smith Jr.
Director
On filings since 2021
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sally Simonds
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sam Spinello
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suz Hunt
Director
Trustee → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phil Hasbrouck
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Cooper
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dwight Middendof
CFO, Vice President of Technology & Innovation
Director of Finance → Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Technology & Innov, 2024
Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Technology & Innov → CFO, Vice President of Technology & Innovation, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$126K (2021) → $192K (2025)
James Danoff-Burg
Vice President of Conservation
Director of Conservation → Vice President of Conservation, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$120K (2021) → $154K (2025)
Roxanna Breitigan
Chief Operating Officer
Director of Animal Care → Chief Operating Officer, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$109K (2021) → $165K (2025)
Anna Young
Vice President of Learning & Impact
Director of Education → Vice President of Learning & Impact, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$116K (2023) → $161K (2025)
Jeff Petrovic
Chief Development Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$152K (2024) → $200K (2025)
Allison Krupp
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$211K (2025)
Craig McCollam
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
2.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Cooper Woodson
Secretary
On filings since 2021
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Bj Skilling (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Dick Shalhoub (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Jim Gould (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Jon-Marc Blalock (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Michael Schreter (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Roger Snoble (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Alexandra Glickman (2023–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Brian Sawicki (2023–2024) — Director of Park Design & Maintenance
- Former: Judy Vossler (2023–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Terrie Terrel (2023–2024) — Vice President of People & Culture
- Former: Jan Hawkins (2021–2022) — Director of Development
- Former: Mark Miller (2021–2022) — Director of Park Services & Guest Relations
- Former: Melinda Drickey (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Patti Grundhofer (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Van Tanner (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Sis Jackson (2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $687K, to Allen Monroe (President/CEO & Asst. Sec). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Living Desert
How much does The Living Desert give each year?
The Living Desert gave $198K across 9 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $137K across 7 grants.
What is The Living Desert's typical grant size?
The Living Desert's median grant in 2025 was $12,500, and its average grant was $21,944, across 9 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Living Desert give grants?
The Living Desert gives mostly in California: 63% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Colorado (10%) and Ohio (10%).
Does The Living Desert give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 9 grants with a stated purpose on The Living Desert's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are The Living Desert's largest grantees?
The Living Desert's largest 2025 grantees include Wildlife Conservation Network Inc ($85,000), Wildlife Protection Solutions ($20,000) and Applied Environmental Research Foundation ($20,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Living Desert?
The Living Desert reported $170.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $48.0M.
What is The Living Desert?
The Living Desert is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in Palm Desert, CA. It holds $170.6M in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Living Desert's EIN?
The Living Desert's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-3385354. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 24, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work The Living Desert funds
Environment & Animals Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Living Desert's focus areas in our free grants database
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