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 | |||||
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Total |
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Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") .. | 1,109,235 | 1,305,488 | 1,341,434 | 1,238,946 | 1,350,904 | 6,346,007 |
| 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 | 1,109,235 | 1,305,488 | 1,341,434 | 1,238,946 | 1,350,904 | 6,346,007 |
| 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) .. | 620,927 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 5,725,080 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 1,109,235 | 1,305,488 | 1,341,434 | 1,238,946 | 1,350,904 | 6,346,007 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 15,316 | 14,853 | 16,498 | 34,306 | 25,483 | 106,456 |
| 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 | 6,452,463 | |||||
Calendar year (or fiscal
year beginning in) ![]() |
(a) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (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) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (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) |
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| 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) |
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| 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): |
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| 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 2024 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-2024 |
(iii) Distributable Amount for 2024 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Distributable amount for 2024 from Section C, line 6 | ||||
|
2
Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2024 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI).
See instructions. |
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| 3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2024: | ||||
| a From 2019....... | ||||
| b From 2020....... | ||||
| c From 2021....... | ||||
| d From 2022....... | ||||
| e From 2023....... | ||||
| fTotal of lines 3a through e | ||||
| g Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| h Applied to 2024 distributable amount | ||||
|
i
Carryover from 2019 not applied (see instructions) |
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| j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f. | ||||
| 4Distributions for 2024 from Section D, line 7: | ||||
| $ | ||||
| a Applied to underdistributions of prior years | ||||
| b Applied to 2024 distributable amount | ||||
| c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4. | ||||
|
5
Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2024, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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|
6
Remaining underdistributions for 2024. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions. |
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7 Excess distributions carryover to 2025. Add lines 3j and 4c. |
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| 8 Breakdown of line 7: | ||||
| a Excess from 2020..... | ||||
| b Excess from 2021..... | ||||
| c Excess from 2022..... | ||||
| d Excess from 2023..... | ||||
| e Excess from 2024..... | ||||
| Facts And Circumstances Test |
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| Return Reference | Explanation |
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| Software ID: | 24020490 |
| Software Version: | 2024v5.2 |
| 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 conserve 520 acres in Stevensville and Victor in 2024. This included two new conservation easements that safeguarded a diverse range of community and natural benefits.Program Service Area 2: Conservation Easement Monitoring, Stewardship, and Land Management/EnhancementThe Stewardship program monitored all 57 of our conservation easements and fee land holdings in 2024.Program Service Area 3: Conservation EducationIn 2024, Bitter Root Land Trust advanced its mission of building a lasting conservation legacy in the Bitterroot Valley by partnering with local families and the broader community to conserve working farms and ranches, wildlife and fisheries habitat, scenic open lands, and public recreational opportunities. Together, these efforts protected more than 520 acres from Stevensville to Victor, preserving prime agricultural soils and habitat for elk, mule deer, and other wildlife. BRLT staff secured and spent $1,669,000 from public sources to purchase conservation easements on these properties. These funds were paid directly to landowners at closing and, accordingly, are not reflected as revenue or expenses of BRLT in this 990. BRLT also continued its partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to implement a $4.9 million grant designed to diversify agricultural conservation, support beginning farmers and ranchers, and accelerate the pace of conservation in the Bitterroot Valley. Through this program, BRLT completed one project in 2024, partnering with Danny Roy to permanently conserve 176 acres. As in past years, staff also monitored all 57 existing conservation easements, along with BRLTs fee title property. In addition to land conservation, Bitter Root Land Trust once again invested in conservation education programs to raise community awareness among both adults and students about the importance of the Bitterroot Valleys water, wildlife, and working agricultural lands. BRLT hosted IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild concert, held at the Sunset Bench Conservation Easement in Stevensville, which brought community members together to experience music on conserved land. BRLT staff partnered with other organizations and governmental entities, as well as participated in community events to expand conservation education opportunities for all ages.Program Service Area 1: Conservation Project Work Fishing and Recreational Access Projects:In 2024, Bitter Root Land Trust continued its partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Bitterroot National Forest to enhance recreation infrastructure at the C. Ben White Memorial Fishing Access Site and Trailhead near Conner, MT. Through this partnership, planning continued for the installation of a pit toilet to better serve visitors enjoying the area. Completed Conservation Projects: I.In January 2024, Danny Roy partnered with the Bitter Root Land Trust to conserve his 176-acre family ranch near Victor, MT. The propertys diverse landscape of timber, wetlands, and open meadows provide exceptional habitat for wildlife, including elk, white-tailed deer, sandhill crane, moose, and turkeys. Located near several completed and in-progress conservation easements, this working ranch provides a corridor for wildlife to travel safely from the cover of the Bitterroot National Forest to neighboring ranchlands below. Funding for the Roy easement was provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and the Ravalli County Open Lands Bond Program.II. In October 2024, Bitter Root Land Trust completed the 344-acre Ellison conservation easement with siblings Dan, Mike, Sarah, Cathy, and Rebecca in Stevensville, MT. Situated northeast of downtown Stevensville, the ranch is an expansion of the more than 7,000 acres of contiguous private conservation easements completed by local landowners in partnership with Bitter Root Land Trust and other organizations in the Burnt Fork neighborhood. Bisected by North Burnt Fork Creek, the ranch will continue to be critical habitat for wildlife including white-tailed and mule deer, turkeys, great blue heron, a variety of waterfowl, great-horned owls, sandhill cranes, and many raptor species. Funding for the Ellison easement came from the Ravalli County Open Lands Bond Program and Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program-Agricultural Land Easement (ACEP-ALE).In addition to completing critical conservation projects, Bitter Root Land Trust staff worked with local and federal partners to advance agricultural conservation programs in the Bitterroot Valley that promote farmland protection, agricultural diversification, and generational succession. Interest from landowners continued to grow, with staff meeting dozens of families exploring conservation options. These conversations led to new projects slated to move forward in 2024 and beyond. Through partnerships with local landowners, the NRCS, and the Ravalli County Open Lands Bond Program, many families are choosing to conserve their lands for future generations. 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 2024. Bitter Root Land Trust staff monitored all 57 of our existing conservation easements and our fee land holdings in 2024, ensuring that terms have not been violated and that conservation objectives remain intact. We invested further 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. II.Land Management/Enhancement: Bitter Root Land Trust staff have continued to look for other opportunities for value-added land management grants to continue providing ongoing support to Bitter Root Land Trusts conservation easement donors and their neighbors.Program Service Area 3: Conservation Education In 2024, Bitter Root Land Trust expanded meaningful, on-the-ground conservation education. In place of the Annual Barn Dance, the Land Trust hosted the IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild concert, where 400+ community members enjoyed a classical music performance set outdoors on conserved lands in Stevensvilles Sunset Bench. To celebrate the conservation success made possible by volunteers, donors, and our community, BRLT hosted a Conservation Party in the Park for families at Skalkaho Bend Park, a riverside public access project that BRLT created for our community. Staff also regularly engaged with the community by participating in the Hamilton Farmers Market, two local youth conservation events, and other events across the Bitterroot Valley to provide conservation education. As an added opportunity for outreach, the Land Trust partnered with the Hamilton Downtown Association to advertise with banners throughout Main Street of downtown Hamilton, raising awareness of efforts to preserve the Bitterroot Valleys water, wildlife, and working lands.Bitter Root Land Trust staff focused on print and electronic media as a means of educating and connecting the community to conservation throughout 2024. Newsletters, postcards, and earned media provided opportunities to educate the community about the importance of water, wildlife, working lands, and community recreation. Similarly, staff increased the frequency of electronic communications, including social media and regular informational electronic news posts. |
| 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: | 24020490 |
| Software Version: | 2024v5.2 |