Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
Go to
www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.
| (i) Name of supported organization | (ii) EIN | (iii) Type of organization (described on lines 1- 10 above (see instructions)) | (iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document? | (v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions) | (vi) Amount of other support (see instructions) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | |||||
|
Total |
||||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 853,897 | 1,109,235 | 1,305,488 | 1,341,434 | 1,238,946 | 5,849,000 |
| 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 | 853,897 | 1,109,235 | 1,305,488 | 1,341,434 | 1,238,946 | 5,849,000 |
| 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) .. | 558,243 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 5,290,757 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 853,897 | 1,109,235 | 1,305,488 | 1,341,434 | 1,238,946 | 5,849,000 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 16,423 | 15,316 | 14,853 | 16,498 | 34,306 | 97,396 |
| 9 | Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.. | ||||||
| 10 | Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.).. | 0 | |||||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 5,946,396 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal
year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (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.) | ||||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2019 | (b) 2020 | (c) 2021 | (d) 2022 | (e) 2023 | (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 on 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 VI.) .. | ||||||
| 13 | Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.).. | ||||||
| Section A - Adjusted Net Income | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
||||
| 1 | Net short-term capital gain | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Other gross income (see instructions) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Add lines 1 through 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Depreciation and depletion | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Other expenses (see instructions) | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4) | 8 | ||||
| Section B - Minimum Asset Amount | (A) Prior Year |
(B) Current Year (optional) |
||||
| 1 | Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year): | 1 | ||||
| a | Average monthly value of securities | 1a | ||||
| b | Average monthly cash balances | 1b | ||||
| c | Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets | 1c | ||||
| d | Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c) | 1d | ||||
| e |
Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI): |
|||||
| 2 | Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Subtract line 2 from line 1d | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 0.015 of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions). | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3) | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Multiply line 5 by 0.035 | 6 | ||||
| 7 | Recoveries of prior-year distributions | 7 | ||||
| 8 | Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6) | 8 | ||||
| Section C - Distributable Amount | Current Year | |||||
| 1 | Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A) | 1 | ||||
| 2 | Enter 85% of line 1 | 2 | ||||
| 3 | Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A) | 3 | ||||
| 4 | Enter greater of line 2 or line 3 | 4 | ||||
| 5 | Income tax imposed in prior year | 5 | ||||
| 6 | Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions) | 6 | ||||
| Section D - Distributions | Current Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes | 1 | |
|
2
Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity |
2 | |
| 3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations | 3 | |
| 4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets | 4 | |
| 5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI) | 5 | |
| 6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions | 6 | |
| 7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6. | 7 | |
|
8
Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions |
8 | |
| 9 Distributable amount for 2023 from Section C, line 6 | 9 | |
| 10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount | 10 | |
| Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions) |
(i) Excess Distributions |
(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2023 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2023 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2023 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2023 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI).
See instructions. |
||||
| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2023: | ||||
| a From 2018....... | ||||
| b From 2019....... | ||||
| c From 2020....... | ||||
| d From 2021....... | ||||
| e From 2022....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2023 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2018 not applied (see instructions) |
||||
| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2023 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2023 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2023, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
||||
|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2023. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
||||
|
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2024. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
||||
| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2019..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2022..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2023..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
|---|
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|
| Software ID: | 23017517 |
| Software Version: | 2023v5.1 |
| Return Reference | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b | ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARE PROVIDED A COPY OF THE 990 PRIOR TO SUBMISSION |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c | THE ORGANIZATION HAS A WRITTEN CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. THE PROCEDURE FOR ADDRESSING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST IS PROVIDED IN THE POLICY AND ADHERED TO BY THE BOARD. INSIDERS SIGN THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15a | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S SALARY IS DETERMINED ANNUALLY BY THE FULL BOARD USING STATE AND REGIONAL COMPARISON DATA AND RECOMMENDATIONS PROVIDED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 | THE ORGANIZATION MAKES ITS 990, 1023, GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST. |
| Form 990, Part XII, Line 2c | THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE BOARD TO PERFORM THE OVERSIGHT FUNCTION FOR THE SELECTION AND THE WORK PERFORMED BY THE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS. |
| PART III, Line 4a | Program Service Area 1: Conservation ProjectsBitter Root Land Trust partnered with local families and the community to preserve 969 acres in 2023. This included three new conservation easements that protected a diverse suite of community and natural benefits. Program Service Area 2: Conservation Easement Monitoring, Stewardship, and Land Management/EnhancementThe Stewardship program monitored all of our conservation easements and fee land holdings in 2023. The Stewardship Program partnered with three local landowners to complete enhancement projects on their properties, including a riparian zone restoration. Program Service Area 3: Conservation EducationIn 2023, Bitter Root Land Trust continued building a lasting conservation legacy in the Bitterroot Valley by partnering with local families and our community to conserve important farm and ranchland, wildlife and fisheries habitat, scenic open space, and public recreational opportunities. These conservation victories protected over 969 acres from Stevensville to Victor and preserved a diverse suite of community and natural benefits, including prime agricultural soils and habitat for elk and mule deer. Bitter Root Land Trust staff secured and spent $1,044,696 from public and private sources to purchase conservation easements on these important properties. These payments were made directly to the landowners during closing and do not appear as revenue or expenses of BRLT on this 990. Further, BRLT continued to work closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Services Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to implement a $4.9 million grant designed to diversify agricultural conservation, support beginning farmers and ranchers, and increase the pace of farm and ranch conservation efforts in the Bitterroot. We closed the first project utilizing this program in 2023, partnering with the Mills family to preserve 71 acres. As we do every year, staff monitored all of our conservation easements in 2023 along with our fee title property. Bitter Root Land Trust again invested in conservation education programs to raise community awareness - among adults and students - of the importance of the Bitterroot Valleys water, wildlife, and working agricultural lands. The Annual Barn Dance which connects community members to conserved spaces was held at the conserved Flying E Ranch in the Burnt Fork neighborhood of Stevensville. The BRLT staff participated in farmers markets, a youth expo, and various other community events to further conservation educational opportunities for all ages.Program Service Area 1: Conservation Project Work Fishing and Recreational Access Projects:I.In 2023 Bitter Root Land Trust continued their partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the Bitterroot National Forest to complete recreation infrastructure projects at C. Ben White Memorial Fishing Access Site and Trailhead located near Conner, MT. Through this partnership, work began to install a pit toilet for use by recreators. Completed Conservation Projects: I.In February 2023, co-landowners and siblings Charlie and Sarah DeVoe in partnership with the Bitter Root Land Trust conserved their 820-acre property. A diverse landscape that showcases many favorite attributes of the Bitterroot Valley, the property features over 150 types of wildflowers, sagebrush shrublands and montane grasslands, forest, natural springs, the headwaters of two forks of Willoughby Creek, and riparian habitat all of which support local wildlife such as elk, mule deer, black bear, mountain lion, owls, Brewers sparrow, as well as the occasional wolverine and badger. Funding for the Haywire Flats conservation easement was provided by the Agricultural Land Easement Program of the Farm Bill and the Heart of the Rockies Keep it Connected program.II. In August 2023, Bitter Root Land Trust completed the 71-acre Mills conservation easement with Barry and Paulie Mills in Stevensville, MT. The property is primarily used for alfalfa and grass hay production and irrigated pasture for cattle and horses. Wildlife known to use the property include mule and white-tailed deer, fox, sandhill crane, and turkeys. Funding for the Mills easement came from the Ravalli County Open Lands Bond Program and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) through NRCS. This was the first project completed by BRLT with RCPP funding which allows additional flexibility to work with landowners with relatively smaller acreage.III.In November 2023, Bitter Root Land Trust worked with Luci Brieger and Steve Elliot to complete the donated Lifeline Produce conservation easement. This 77-acre family-owned and operated, diversified agricultural production is located within close vicinity of many completed and in-progress conservation easement projects, and serves as wildlife habitat for many native species. In addition to completing these critical conservation projects, Bitter Root Land Trust staff continued to work with local and federal partners to further agricultural conservation programs in the Bitterroot Valley that encourage high-value farmland conservation, agricultural diversification, and generational succession. Staff saw an increased interest from landowners looking to pursue conservation options and met with dozens of interested landowners. Those meetings yielded additional conservation projects that will proceed in 2023 and beyond. As a result of this partnership between Bitter Root Land Trust, local landowners, the NRCS, and the Ravalli County Open Lands Bond Program many of these landowners will choose to conserve their family lands. Program Service Area 2: Conservation Easement Monitoring, Stewardship, and Land Management/Enhancement I.Conservation Easement Monitoring and Enforcement: Bitter Root Land Trust remained committed to upholding Land Trust Commission Accreditation Standards in 2023. Bitter Root Land Trust staff monitored all of our existing conservation easements and our fee land holdings in 2023, ensuring that terms have not been violated and that conservation objectives remain intact. We further invested time in developing and maintaining relationships with existing easement holders to ensure that the conservation objectives agreed to by landowners and the land trust are being upheld. The Stewardship Program partnered with three local landowners on enhancement projects. These projects include native plantings to improve wildlife habitat and a riparian zone restoration. II.Land Management/Enhancement: Bitter Root Land Trust staff has continued to look for other opportunities for value-added land management grants to continue providing ongoing support to Bitter Root Land Trusts conservation easement landowners and their neighbors.Program Service Area 3: Conservation Education In 2023, Bitter Root Land Trust created meaningful, on-the-ground conservation education. The Annual Barn Dance returned to the Burnt Fork, connecting over 300 community members to conservation. The staff also participated in the local Hamilton Farmers Market and provided conservation education at community events across the Bitterroot Valley. As an added educational opportunity, the Land Trust partnered with the Hamilton Downtown Association to hang banners throughout downtown to help gain awareness for the work of the land trust to preserve the water, wildlife, and working lands of the Bitterroot Valley. |
| Part X, Line 10(a) | Of the $680,155 total in fixed assets, $615,000 consists of 160 Acres of land in ten parcels purchased by BRLT in 2022 for the Eastside Project. This land, which hosts a wide variety of wildlife and is prominently visible from the mid-valley, was likely to be converted to other uses prior to BRLT's acquisition. This asset is held directly for BRLT's programmatic conservation purposes. |
| Software ID: | 23017517 |
| Software Version: | 2023v5.1 |