Save Elephant Hill

What it reported doing in 2025

Save Elephant Hill had a very successful year, securing positive attention from decision makers, the media, and funders. The organization also successfully met a number of challenges inherent in the work of urban conservation with much work remaining to be done.Fund development and other revenue: Successfully secured for a subcontract for $100,000.00 from North East Trees (NET) to undertake community engagement related to nature-based stormwater solutions for Elephant Hill. An advance of $75,000.00 was deposited into our bank account as an advance. No expenditures to date.Successfully secured a contract for $200,000.00 from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (hereafter, the Conservancy) to undertake acquisition planning and design work on Elephant Hill to assist with strategic acquisitions by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA). A contract was signed and an invoice submitted for an advance of 25% of the contract amount. A majority of the funds will be disbursed to subcontractors who will undertake the bulk of the work.Payments were received from the MRCA for ongoing public education work SEH undertook as a subcontractor on MRCAs grant from the State of California, Off Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division (OHMVRD) to prevent off roading on Elephant Hill. Secured an individual donation from Andy Wong an entertainment industry attorney active in open space issues.Invited to apply for a general operating grant from Metabolic Studios for $15,000.00; submitted the application in late December. Programmatic Activities and Other Highlights: Conducted outreach and education to 38 nonprofit organizations and elected officials and ongoing social media activity regarding the OHV project and the impacts of unauthorized off roading on Elephant Hill.Coordinated project partners, consultants, MRCA, residents and other stakeholders focused on effectively achieving the OHV project goals and objectives. Together with our project partners we have held a total of 12 public events or near on Elephant Hill. Developed and printed a large format, double-sided, color Nature Guide document in Spanish and English for use in public education and nature walks on Elephant Hill.Finalized social media educational materials for the OHV (Off Highway Motor Vehicle) project.Remained in regular communications with the Los Angeles County Safe Clean Water Program (SCWP) to encourage the agencys startup of the Technical Resource Program feasibility study on Elephant Hill (non compensated).Negotiated a contract with North East Trees and the Water Foundation for a $100,000 grant to SEH to undertake community outreach and education focused on nature-based stormwater management on Elephant hill.Negotiated a contract with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for a $200,000 grant to SEH focused on project planning and design for future acquisitions by MRCA on Elephant Hill.Successfully advocated for a $2 million set aside for Elephant Hill acquisitions by the MRCA from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancys Proposition 4 allocations from the State of California (non compensated).Ongoing monitoring of unauthorized off roading and unpermitted development activity on Elephant Hill and communications with relevant agencies about this activity (non compensated).Media Coverage: Elephant Hill was covered positively by media outlets in four news outlets.Curiel, Kamren. A Concrete Eyesore Replaces Native Trees: Landowner Builds Tax-Break Garden on Protected El Sereno Hillside. LA Taco, September 22, 2025. T.A.C.OVanAirsdale, Stu. Hill of Dreams: How a group of neighborhood volunteers, experts, and local officials in Los Angeles joined forces to create a thriving native plant habitat at Elephant Hill Open Space. Flora Magazine, Fall 2025.Cosgrove, Jaclyn. Elephant Hill could be L.A.s next great park. Will residents save it in time? Los Angeles Times, November 13, 2025.Mendez-Padilla, Briana. Un mosaico de organizaciones comunitarias es el mayor def

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 48.9%; rating input score 49
• Program expense ratio: 91.9%; rating input score 92

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 52nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Limited

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 46.8%; rating input score 91; 91st percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.91; rating input score 56; 56th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: Limited
• Officer compensation ratio: 19%; rating input score 17; 17th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: Limited
• Revenue growth: Limited
• Asset growth: Limited