Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Public Charity Status and Public Support
Complete if the organization is a section 501(c)(3) organization or a section
4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust.
Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ. See separate instructions.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2012
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
AMERICAN PRAIRIE FOUNDATION dba AMERICAN PRAIRIE RESERVE
Employer identification number
81-0541893
Part I
Reason for Public Charity Status
(All organizations must complete this part.) See instructions.
The organization is not a private foundation because it is: (For lines 1 through 11, check only one box.)
1
2
3
4
5
section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)
6
7
8
9
receipts from activities related to its exempt functions—subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than 331/3% of
its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses
acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975. See section 509(a)(2). (Complete Part III.)
10
11
e
By checking this box, I certify that the organization is not controlled directly or indirectly by one or more disqualified persons other than foundation managers and other than one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2).
f
If the organization received a written determination from the IRS that it is a Type I, Type II, or Type III supporting organization, check this box
..................................................
g
Since August 17, 2006, has the organization accepted any gift or contribution from any of the following persons?
(i) A person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described in (ii)
Yes
No
and (iii) below, the governing body of the supported organization?
................
11g(i)
(ii)
A family member of a person described in (i) above?
......................
11g(ii)
(iii)
A 35% controlled entity of a person described in (i) or (ii) above?
................
11g(iii)
h
Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).
(i) Name of supported organization
(ii) EIN
(iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 9 above or IRC section (see instructions))
(iv) Is the organization in col. (i) listed in your governing document?
(v) Did you notify the organization in col. (i) of your support?
(vi) Is the organization in col. (i) organized in the U.S.?
(vii) Amount of monetary support
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Total
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990EZ.
Cat. No. 11285F
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Page 2
Part II
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Sections 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 5, 7, or 8 of Part I or if the
organization failed to qualify under Part III. If the organization fails to
qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part III.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2008
(b) 2009
(c) 2010
(d) 2011
(e) 2012
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") ....
5,644,537
3,354,887
2,835,362
6,409,546
12,782,941
31,027,273
2
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf.......
0
3
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
0
4
Total. Add lines 1 through 3
5,644,537
3,354,887
2,835,362
6,409,546
12,782,941
31,027,273
5
The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included
on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f)..
19,493,819
6
Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.
11,533,454
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2008
(b) 2009
(c) 2010
(d) 2011
(e) 2012
(f) Total
7
Amounts from line 4..
5,644,537
3,354,887
2,835,362
6,409,546
12,782,941
31,027,273
8
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources...
63,754
26,817
14,534
33,753
160,244
299,102
9
Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..
0
10
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)..
299
44,554
127,260
131,980
251,282
555,375
11
Total support (Add lines 7 through 10).
31,881,750
12
Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (see instructions)
..................
12
13
First five years.
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here........................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
14
Public support percentage for 2012 (line 6, column (f) divided by line 11, column (f))
.........
14
36.180 %
15
Public support percentage for 2011 Schedule A, Part II, line 14
...............
15
29.110 %
16a
33 1/3% support test—2012.
If the organization did not check the box on line 13, and line 14 is 33 1/3% or more, check this box
and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.......................
b
33 1/3% support test—2011.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13 or 16a, and line 15 is 33 1/3% or more, check this
box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....................
17a
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2012.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, or 16b, and line 14
is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here. Explain
in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported
organization
.....................................................
b
10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2011.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, or 17a, and line
15 is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here.
Explain in Part IV how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
................................................
18
Private foundation.
If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a, or 17b, check this box and see
instructions
.....................................................
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Page 3
Part III
Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Section 509(a)(2) (Complete only if you checked the box on line 9 of Part I or if the organization
failed to qualify under Part II. If the organization fails to qualify under
the tests listed below, please complete Part II.)
Section A. Public Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2008
(b) 2009
(c) 2010
(d) 2011
(e) 2012
(f) Total
1
Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .
2
Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose......
3
Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513..
4
Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf...
5
The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
6
Total. Add lines 1 through 5.
7a
Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons...
b
Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year.
c
Add lines 7a and 7b..
8
Public support (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)
Section B. Total Support
Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)
(a) 2008
(b) 2009
(c) 2010
(d) 2011
(e) 2012
(f) Total
9
Amounts from line 6...
10a
Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
b
Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.
c
Add lines 10a and 10b.
11
Net income from unrelated business activities not included in line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.
12
Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part IV.)
..
13
Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.)..
14
First five years.
If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a 501(c)(3) organization,
check this box and stop here.............................................
Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage
15
Public support percentage for 2012 (line 8, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
.........
15
16
Public support percentage from 2011 Schedule A, Part III, line 15
...............
16
Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage
17
Investment income percentage for 2012 (line 10c, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f))
......
17
18
Investment income percentage from 2011 Schedule A, Part III, line 17
.............
18
19a
33 1/3% support tests—2012.
If the organization did not check the box on line 14, and line 15 is more than 33 1/3%, and line 17 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
........
b
33 1/3% support tests—2011.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14 or line 19a, and line 16 is more than 33 1/3% and line 18 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization
.....
20
Private foundation.
If the organization did not check a box on line 14, 19a, or 19b, check this box and see instructions
.....
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Page 4
Part IV
Supplemental Information.
Complete this part to provide the explanations required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; and Part III, line 12. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).
Facts And Circumstances Test
Part II, Line 17b--SUPPORT FOR APR'S PUBLIC CHARITY STATUS UNDER THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES TEST1. PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE ORGANIZATION MUST BE AT LEAST TEN PERCENT OF THE TOTAL SUPPORTAPR'S PUBLIC SUPPORT WAS 29.11% IN 20112. THE ORGANIZATION MUST HAVE AN ACTIVE CONTINUOUS AND BONA FIDE FUNDRAISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ATTRACT NEW AND ADDITIONAL PUBLIC AND/OR GOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT.APR DOES NOT SEEK GOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT. HOWEVER, APR HAS AN EXTENSIVE, DETAILED AND CONTINUOUS FUNDRAISING PROGRAM AIMED AT ATTRACTING NEW INDIVIDUAL AND FOUNDATION DONORS. WE HAVE FIVE GIFT OFFICERS, EACH OF WHOM SPEND A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THEIR TIME (A CUMULATIVE TOTAL OF 2.9 FTE'S) IDENTIFYING AND CULTIVATING NEW POTENTIAL DONORS AND STEWARDING EXISTING DONORS, AS WELL AS SEVERAL STAFF WHO SUPPORT THOSE FUNDRAISING EFFORTS. IN 2010 WE LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN TO RAISE $300 MILLION OVER SIX YEARS. WE HAVE ALSO RECENTLY FORMED TWO "VOLUNTEER TEAMS" CONSISTING OF APR BOARD AND NATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS WHOSE SOLE PURPOSE IS TO IDENTIFY AND CULTIVATE NEW DONORS. ADDITIONALLY, APR HOLDS PUBLIC EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY, THE PURPOSE OF WHICH IS TO INTRODUCE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO APR AND ITS WORK, AND TO CULTIVATE THEM INTO DONORS. APR ALSO SENDS AT LEAST ONE, AND UP TO THREE, APPEAL LETTERS PER YEAR TO A MAILING LIST OF OVER 2,500 INDIVIDUALS, AND ELECTRONIC APPEAL LETTERS TO OVER 1,800 PEOPLE. THE PURPOSE OF THE APPEAL LETTERS IS TO SOLICIT DONATIONS.APR PUBLISHES A BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTER THAT REACHES MORE THAN 2,100 PEOPLE IN PHYSICAL COPY AND 3,700 VIA EMAIL. ALL OF THE NEWSLETTERS INCLUDE AN INVITATION TO DONATE TO APR AND THE EMAIL NEWSLETTER DISPLAYS A PROMINENT "DONATE NOW" BUTTON.APR OFFERS VISITORS TO OUR WEBSITE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DONATE VIA AN ONLINE DONATION FORM. APR ALSO PARTICPATE IN THE FOLLOWING SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE OUTREACH PROGRAMS:- FACEBOOK: WE HAVE A GROWING FACEBOOK COMMUNITY OF MORE THAN 1,500 PEOPLE, WHERE INVITATIONS TO GIVE ARE REGULARLY POSTED.- TWITTER: WE HAVE AN ACTIVE TWITTER ACCOUNT WITH NEARLY 850 FOLLOWERS, WHERE APPEALS AND LINKS TO OUR DONATION PAGE ARE FREQUENTLY POSTED.- GOOGLE +: WE HAVE AN EXPANDING NETWORK ON GOOGLE+ OF MORE THAN 2,600 FOLLOWERS WHO ARE CONTINUALLY REMINDED OF OPPORTUNITIES TO DONATE ONLINE.- ACTION ATLAS: WE HAVE A PROFILE ON NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S ACTION ATLAS SITE, WHICH PROVIDES USERS THE CHANCE TO GIVE.- APR REGULARLY CONTRIBUTES TO THE HUFFINGTON POST AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC NEWS WATCH BLOGS, INTRODUCING MILLIONS OF READERS TO APR AND OUR WORK WITH LINKS TO OUR WEBSITE IN ORDER TO CULTIVATE DONORS.- APR'S WEBSITE ATTRACTS APPROXIMATELY 2,500 UNIQUE VISITORS PER MONTH (AMOUNTING TO 13,000 PAGE VIEWS PER MONTH), AND A DONATE BUTTON IS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE.3. THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS REPRESENTATIVE OF BROAD PUBLIC INTEREST, AS OPPOSED TO THE SPECIFIC INTEREST OF THE ORGANIZATION'S MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS.OUR BOARD IS DIVERSE AND COMES FROM MANY DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIC AND PROFESSIONAL AREAS. AUDREY RUST IS A RETIRED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL LAND TRUSTS IN THE WORLD AND BRINGS DEEP CONSERVATION EXPERTISE TO THE BOARD.CLYDE ASPEVIG IS A NATIVE MONTANAN AND RENOWNED LANDSCAPE ARTIST WHOSE DEEP APPRECIATION AND PASSION FOR THE LANDSCAPE WE ARE CONSERVING DRIVES MUCH OF OUR MISSION FORWARD.ELIZABETH RUML LIVES IN RURAL VERMONT AND HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN THE FINANCIAL INDUSTRY. THAT KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE ON ORGANIZATIONAL FINANCE IS INVALUABLE TO THE RUNNING OF OUR ORGANIZATION.SEAN GERRITY IS ALSO PRESIDENT OF APR. HE IS THE PERSON WHO TOOK AN AUDACIOUS IDEA AND FORGED IT INTO A SUCCESSFUL, RESULTS-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION. HIS BACKGROUND IS IN MANAGEMENT CONSULTING WHICH MAKES HIM AN EXTREMELY CAPABLE LEADER.GIB AND SUSAN MYERS LIVE IN CALIFORNIA. MR. MYERS IS A RETIRED VENTURE CAPITALIST. HE AND HIS WIFE SUSAN ARE INVOLVED WITH APR BECAUSE OF THEIR PASSION FOR CONSERVATION OF THE GRASSLANDS IN NORTHEASTERN MONTANA. ERIVAN AND HELGA HAUB LIVE IN GERMANY AND HAVE A PASSION FOR THE AMERICAN WEST AND THE CONSERVATION OF THE LANDSCAPES IN THE AMERICAN WEST. THEY ARE HELPING US SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE GLOBAL RESOURCES WE ARE BUILDING TO EUROPEANS.GEORGE AND SUSAN MATELICH ARE NEW YORKERS WHO OWN PROPERTY IN MONTANA. THEY ARE INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT BECAUSE OF THEIR LOVE FOR MONTANA LANDSCAPES AND THEIR DESIRE TO SEE MORE OF IT CONSERVED. MR. MATELICH IS A SHAREHOLDER IN A PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM. THAT BUSINESS ACUMEN HELPS US IN ACCOMPLISHING OUR GOALS.KEITH ANDERSON OWNS HIS OWN CAPITAL INVESTMENT BUSINESS. HE HAS A PASSION FOR HUNTING, FISHING, AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION. HE IS A COMMUNITY LEADER IN NEW YORK AND HELPS US GAIN SUPPORT FROM THAT COMMUNITY AND BEYOND FOR OUR MISSION.JAY ABBE IS A BUSINESS OWNER IN CALIFORNIA AND HAS EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF BUSINESS MODELS AND HELPS US APPLY THOSE EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES TO OUR GOALS.WHILE EIGHT OF THESE MEMBERS (HAUBS, MYERS, MATELICHS, ABBE, AND MILLER) HAVE CONTRIBUTED OR PLEDGED SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS TO APR, NONE OF THEM HAVE ANY PRIVATE INTEREST THAT IS FURTHERED BY THOSE CONTRIBUTIONS. THEY RECEIVE NO BENEFITS AND THEY ARE ALL INVOLVED BECAUSE OF THEIR PASSION FOR THE MISSION WHICH IS CONSERVING THE VAST LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE OF NORTHEASTERN MONTANA'S PRAIRIE.4. SOME SUPPORT FOR THE ORGANIZATION COMES FROM GOVERNMENTAL AND/OR OTHER SOURCES THAT ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS OPPOSED TO A FEW MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS.APR DOES NOT SEEK SUPPORT FROM GOVERNMENTAL SOURCES, BUT IT HAS RECEIVED 1,838 DONATIONS FROM 2006-2011 (SOME OF THOSE WERE REPEAT CONTRIBUTORS). SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2001, APR HAS RECEIVED CONTRIBUTIONS FROM 976 PEOPLE/ENTITIES. THESE ARE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE SUPPORTIVE OF APR'S MISSION TO BUILD A LARGE WILDLIFE RESERVE. ONLY THIRTEEN OF OUR CONTRIBUTORS QUALIFIED AS EXCESS CONTRIBUTORS IN 2011.5. THE FACILITIES, PROPERTIES, AND PROGRAMS OF THE ORGANIZATION ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.APR CURRENTLY OWNS 57,972 ACRES OF LAND IN NORTHEASTERN MONTANA. ALL OF IT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. WE ALSO INVITE THE PUBLIC TO EDUCATIONAL EVENTS HELD ON THE PROPERTY, INCLUDING BIRD EXPEDITIONS, WILDLIFE WATCHING AND NATURAL HISTORY TOURS. WE RECENTLY BUILT AND OPENED OUR FIRST PUBLIC CAMPGROUND ON THE PROPERTY. PUBLIC ACCESS IS AN EXPICIT PART OF OUR MISSION STATEMENT, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO ENHANCE THE PUBLIC'S ACCESS TO THE RESERVE.6. THE PROGRAMS OPERATED BY THE ORGANIZATION APPEAL TO A BROAD BASED PUBLIC INTEREST RATHER THAN BEING RESTRICTED TO A SMALL SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION.APR'S PROGRAM CONSISTS OF BUYING LAND THAT IS VALUABLE WILDLIFE HABITAT IN A PARTICULAR AREA IN MONTANA, AND OPENING IT TO THE PUBLIC FOR ITS ENJOYMENT. PUBLIC ACCESS TO THIS LAND IS AN EXPLICIT PART OF OUR MISSION STATEMENT. ALL PEOPLE, FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, ARE WELCOME TO ENJOY THE PROPERTY AND ITS NATURAL AMENITIES. APR'S RESERVE HAS ALREADY BEEN VISITED BY PEOPLE FROM CHINA, GERMANY, CANADA, AND ALL REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES. WE WILL CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC USE OF THESE LANDS.WE ARE BUYING AND PROTECTING PRAIRIE HABITAT FOR THE PUBLIC'S ENJOYMENT IN ONE OF ONLY FOUR SPACES LEFT ON EARTH WHERE CONSERVATION OF GRASSLANDS ON A LANDSCAPE SCALE IS EVEN POSSIBLE. OUR GOAL IS TO LEAVE A LEGACY IN THE FORM OF A FULLY-FUNCTIONING GRASSLAND ECOSYSTEM FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS TO ENJOY.
Explanation
Schedule A (Form 990 or 990-EZ) 2012
Additional Data
Software ID:
12000229
Software Version:
2012v2.0
-
TIN:
SCHEDULE O (Form 990 or 990-EZ)
Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ
Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or to provide any additional information.
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
OMB No. 1545-0047
2012
Open to Public Inspection
Name of the organization
AMERICAN PRAIRIE FOUNDATION dba AMERICAN PRAIRIE RESERVE
Employer identification number
81-0541893
Identifier
Return Reference
Explanation
Form 990, Part VI, Line 19
Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available
GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST
Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a
Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a: Compensation Review & Approval Process - CEO, Top Management
FOR BOTH THE TOP MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL AND OTHER OFFICERS OR KEY EMPLOYEES AN INDEPENDENT SALARY REVIEW IS PERFORMED OUTSIDE OF THE ORGANIZATION. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REVIEWS AND APPROVES COMPENSATION ADJUSTMENTS ANNUALLY.
Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c
Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts
CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IS REVIEWED AND A NEW ONE IS SIGNED BY EACH EMPLOYEE ANNUALLY. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ALSO DISCUSSES ISSUES AS THEY ARISE.
Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b
Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process
THE RETURN IS REVIEWED PRIOR TO FILING BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AS WELL AS THE FINANCE MANAGER AND THEN BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Form 990, Part VI, Line 8
Form 990, Part VI, Line 8: Explanation of No Contemporaneously Documentation of Meetings
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE SOME ORGANIZATIONAL DECISIONS AND DOES NOT KEEP RECORD OF THEIR MEETINGS UNLESS THEY MAKE A DECISION ON SOMETHING.
Form 990, Part VI, Line 2
Form 990, Part VI, Line 2: Description of Business or Family Relationship of Officers, Directors, Et
GEORGE MATELICH AND SUSAN MATELICH ARE SPOUSESGIB MYERS AND SUSAN MYERS ARE SPOUSESERIVAN HAUB AND HELGA HAUB ARE SPOUSESSEAN GERRITY'S WIFE WORKS AS AN EMPLOYEE FOR AMERICAN PRAIRIE RESERVE
For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.