Georgian Bay Land Trust is a 3-star rated charity that is not financially transparent and has above average accountability to donors as seen in the A results reporting grade. For every dollar donated to this charity, 91 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci's reasonable range for overhead spending.

Founded in 1990, Georgian Bay Land Trust (GBLT) protects Georgian Bay and the North Channel of Lake Huron. As the world’s largest freshwater archipelago, Georgian Bay is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Georgian Bay Land Trust aims to preserve natural areas with ecological or historical significance. GBLT states that urbanization, climate change, and pipeline construction have destroyed critical habitats and put stress on Georgian Bay in recent years. The charity acquires protected land to ensure its ecosystems remain safe and preserved for future generations to enjoy. Georgian Bay Land Trust’s four programs are Land Protection, Stewardship, Learning and Inspire. Ci notes that total program costs in the financial analysis section include donated land, which represented 58% of the charity’s program costs in F2021.

Land Protection represented 41% of program costs, excluding donated land, in F2021. Georgian Bay Land Trust acquires protected land in one of three ways. GBLT accepts land ownership transfers by donation or by sale at fair market value. Landowners can reserve a “life estate” as part of a donation or sale, allowing themselves and family members to continue living on transferred land. Alternatively, GBLT offers Conservation Easement programs, which allow clients to retain ownership of their land. In return, the charity monitors the land to ensure the preservation of natural or cultural features. Finally, the charity offers combinations of the two options to partially transfer ownership of land. Once acquired, the charity classifies its protected land into three categories. These include natural areas, which permit public access; preserves, which allow visits by scheduled appointment; and critical reserves, which deny access due to ecosystem fragility. In F2021, Georgian Bay Land Trust reports that it preserved 7,552 acres of land and 9 provincially-significant wetlands. 

Land Stewardship represented 27% of program costs. GBLT’s stewards are responsible for maintaining protected areas and removing garbage or invasive species. More than 130 volunteer stewards monitored 64 protected areas and 1,660 acres of community recreational spaces in F2021. 

Learning represented 16% of program costs in F2021. GBLT partnered with over 15 science based organizations to conduct land based scientific research on Georgian Bay wildlife and endangered species. The charity continued its effort in collecting data on the movement of migratory birds and insects by installing four new wildlife tracking stations. It also installed passive bat call detectors at two new organizations to continue its research on endangered bat species. 

The remaining 16% of program costs in F2021 were allocated to Inspire. This program strives to bring communities together to foster the next generation of conservationists that will protect Georgian Bay land and wildlife. In F2021, GBLT provided 10 weeks of educational activities to kids learning at home. The charity also opened 16 public-access properties, providing 1,180 acres of outdoor trails for families to explore. 

Georgian Bay Land Trust reported $1.5m in donations and special events revenue in F2021. Goods in kind (donations of land) were $1.0m, representing 28% of total revenue. Administrative costs are 1% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 8% of donations and special events revenue. This means that total overhead spending is 9%. For each dollar donated to the charity, 91 cents go to the cause. This falls within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

GBLT has net funding reserves of $5.9m, of which $238k is donor-endowed. Excluding endowed funds, the charity’s reserves can cover 362% of programming and donated land costs. This means the charity can cover 3.6 years of annual program costs using its reserves. With donated goods excluded from program costs, the charity can cover 1037% or 10.4 years of annual programming.   

This charity report is an update that is currently being reviewed by Georgian Bay Land Trust. Comments and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on August 16, 2022 by Angelina Curwin.