irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $5KPreserve "open spaces" through acceptance of vacant land donations and their subsequent supervision and maintenance, for use by the general public. Owns six parcels at 12/31/2024.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Eagle Scout Projects
Partners with Scouts to complete trail improvement projects including trail clearing, signage installation, and construction of public amenities.
Land Trust Stewardship
Accepts and manages donations of vacant land for conservation; owns and maintains six parcels including the Sibleyville Nature Reserve and Rochester Junction.
Lehigh Valley Trail Maintenance
Co-creator and primary maintainer of the 16-mile Lehigh Valley Trail in partnership with Monroe County Parks Department; responsible for trail upkeep, signage, and improvement projects.
Rochester Junction Enhancement
Manages historic and recreational improvements at Rochester Junction, including installation of rail cars, a replica freight house with public restrooms, gardens, and a bicycle repair station.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Railroad and Canal Heritage Preservation 1 activity
- Historic site enhancement and public amenitiesEnhances public access and historical interpretation at Rochester Junction through the installation of replica rail cars, a seasonal replica Lehigh Valley freight house with restrooms and water fountain, a bicycle repair station, knee walls marking historic features, and landscaped flower beds with native plants.
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Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
- Land conservation and stewardshipAcquires, preserves, and stewards vacant land donations for public use and conservation, managing approximately 160 acres of green space across multiple nature reserves in the Town of Mendon and surrounding areas of Monroe County. Properties include the Lewis Nature Preserve, Sibleyville Nature Reserve, and lands near the historic Totiakton Indian site, maintained for wildlife habitat and light recreation such as hiking, bird watching, equestrian use, and cross-country skiing.
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Recreational Trail Development and Maintenance 1 activity
- Lehigh Valley Trail development and maintenanceDevelops, maintains, and extends the Lehigh Valley Trail, a linear park built on a former railroad bed, currently spanning approximately 14 to 16 miles in the towns of Mendon and Rush. Activities include trail surfacing using recycled materials funded by a $1.2 million ISTEA grant, bridge rehabilitation, construction of connecting ramps to the Genesee Valley Greenway, installation of signage, and ongoing volunteer-led maintenance.
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Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
- Trail and property volunteer programOrganizes and manages volunteer crews for trail work and property maintenance, including regular workdays on the Lehigh Valley Trail and stewardship of foundation-owned lands. Volunteers are identifiable by bright green t-shirts and are recognized annually at a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Publication of local historyPublished an 182-page illustrated book titled 'Rails to Trails: Rochester Junction Then and Now,' documenting the historical transformation of the Lehigh Valley Railroad corridor into a rail-trail, with proceeds supporting the organization’s mission.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$23K
Contributions & grants$15K66%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$4K19%
Other revenue$3K
expenses
Total expenses$13K
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead18%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$1.55M
Cash$84K
Investments$0
Liabilities$294
Net assets$1.55M
Liquid reserves77.0 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -56.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 9
- Blaine Grindle — Vice President
- Bonnie Coddington — Director
- Bradley Carlson — President
- Diane Ham — Secretary
- Francis Celona — Treasurer
- John Farrell — Director
- Michael Torpey — Director
- Paige Jokl — Director
- Rodney Ham — Director
relationships · 28
Who they work with
- Bleak House Books Partner — Sells copies of the 'Rails to Trails: Rochester Junction Then and Now' book on behalf of the Mendon Foundation.
- Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Partnered with the Mendon Foundation through the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) for soil evaluation, seed purchase, and planting on the reserve.
- Edie & Gordon Small Partner — Donated 11.8 acres of land to the Mendon Foundation for permanent conservation.
- Elam Sand and Gravel Partner — Provided land and pro bono support for trail development and preservation projects in the Caledonia area.
- Evelyn Lewis Partner — Donated 26 acres of wooded land to the Mendon Foundation in 2001.
- Franklyn Johnson Partner — Donated a 25-acre parcel of land to the Mendon Foundation for preservation as open space.
- Genesee Region Trails Coalition Coalition — Co-founded by Mendon Foundation board members to support regional trail development, fundraising, and interconnection of trails across the Genesee Region.
- Greater Rochester Iris Society Partner — Donated iris stock for the 2020 Iris Bed at Rochester Junction.
- Honeoye Falls – Town of Mendon Historical Society Museum Partner — Distributes copies of the 'Rails to Trails: Rochester Junction Then and Now' book for sale.
- Honeoye Falls-Mendon Youth Baseball League Partner — Collaborated with the Mendon Foundation on the joint development of a parking lot and picnic area adjacent to Little League fields in Mendon.
- Joe Spezio Partner — Donated 24.190 acres of land to the Mendon Foundation on December 31, 2007, and previously donated 25 acres extending the Lehigh Valley Trail.
- Joe Spezio Partner — Donated 25.090 acres of land to support the Lehigh Valley Trail extension and conservation efforts.
- Land Trust Alliance Network — Member of the Land Trust Alliance, with aspirations toward accreditation.
- Land Trust Alliance Network — Member of the national Land Trust Alliance network.
- Livingston County Government — Sponsored the Mendon Foundation's feasibility grant application for the Lehigh Valley Trail extension.
- Monroe County Government — Holds ownership of the Lehigh Valley Trail and has a contractual agreement with the Mendon Foundation for trail development and maintenance.
- Monroe County Partner — Collaborates on the development and maintenance of the Lehigh Valley Trail and associated recreational facilities.
- Monroe County Parks Partner — Collaborated with the Mendon Foundation on the conversion of Rochester Junction into a rail-trail.
- Monroe County Parks Department Partner — Partner in the development and maintenance of the Lehigh Valley Trail.
- Natural Resources Conservation Service Government — Co-administered the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and held a ten-year conservation easement agreement with the Mendon Foundation for habitat management.
- New York Museum of Transportation Partner — Distributes copies of the 'Rails to Trails: Rochester Junction Then and Now' book for sale.
- Pheasants Forever Partner — Collaborated with the Mendon Foundation and adjacent landowners to develop a plan for planting warm season grasses to attract pheasants and songbirds.
- Seneca Nation Partner — Provided cultural and historical expertise on the Seneca presence at the Sibleyville Nature Reserve through leader Peter Jemison.
- The Henrietta Foundation Partner — Maintains the northernmost branch of the Lehigh Valley Trail; collaborative connection exists between the two foundations' trail segments.
- The Sibleyville Estates Partner — Donated 45 acres of land to establish the Sibleyville Nature Reserve.
- Town of Mendon Partner — Works with the Foundation on preserving green spaces and historic resources within the town.
- Town of Rush Partner — Collaborates on the maintenance of the Lehigh Valley Trail within its jurisdiction.
- Victor Hiking Trails, Inc. Partner — Established a working relationship with the Mendon Foundation to assist with trail development and maintenance issues.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Based Volunteer Stewardship Modelmethodology: volunteer-driven_operationsBy operating entirely through volunteer labor in partnership with local governments and community contributors, we achieve sustainable land conservation because community ownership increases stewardship commitment and reduces operational costs.
- Environmental and Historical Education as Preservationmethodology: environmental_educationBy documenting and interpreting local environmental and railroad history through educational publications and site-specific installations, we strengthen community support for conservation because public understanding of cultural and ecological value increases long-term preservation commitment.
- Land Trust Conservation with Perpetual Stewardshipmethodology: land_trust_conservancyBy acquiring land and conservation easements through donations and public-private partnerships, we ensure permanent protection of green spaces and natural resources because legally binding land trust mechanisms prevent future development and enable long-term ecological management.