When we set up CRI, we wanted to add value and resources to the conservation community in New Jersey by providing free technical assistance and developing new sources of conservation capital. To-date we have been extremely successful at providing a valuable, much needed service at no-cost to the conservation community. We accomplish this in three ways:

• As a non-profit organization with very few employees, we keep our overhead very low;
  
  
• We charge regulatory contributors a management fee of 1.5% and $5,000 per project to help cover the numerous services we provide. This fee is charged over and above the project fee and is substantially less than any other fee for the type of service we offer. Interest earned on all monies in a geographic fund prior to disbursement of grants also is retained by CRI to cover our costs and to make grants for other projects.
  

For example, if a potentially responsible party (PRP) is required by NJDEP to contribute to one of our Featured Projects to preserve 100 acres of land, the PRP will pay for that amount of land PLUS a management fee to CRI of 1.5% of the value and $5,000. CRI will also hold the money until the project closes and retain the interest earned.


• Finally, we work on a fee basis as consultants to government agencies, private organizations, and individuals where our missions and goals overlap. We also receive support from various foundations for our technical assistance, re-granting, and innovative work in conservation finance.