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 |
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Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
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(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.") .. | 1,612,114 | 1,603,003 | 2,257,094 | 2,134,808 | 3,345,366 | 10,952,385 |
| 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 | 1,612,114 | 1,603,003 | 2,257,094 | 2,134,808 | 3,345,366 | 10,952,385 |
| 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) .. | 396,574 | |||||
| 6 | Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4. | 10,555,811 | |||||
Calendar year
(or fiscal year beginning in)
![]() |
(a) 2020 | (b) 2021 | (c) 2022 | (d) 2023 | (e) 2024 | (f) Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Amounts from line 4.. | 1,612,114 | 1,603,003 | 2,257,094 | 2,134,808 | 3,345,366 | 10,952,385 |
| 8 | Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources... | 34,077 | 39,110 | 54,398 | 118,740 | 163,783 | 410,108 |
| 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.).. | 20 | 20 | ||||
| 11 | Total support. Add lines 7 through 10 | 11,362,513 | |||||
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 | Board of directors are generally emailed a copy of the Form 990 prior to submission to review and ask questions. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c | Any potential conflicts of interests are disclosed to the board and recorded in the minutes. The interested director abstains from voting he matter. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15a | Regarding compensation, the board seeks out comparable compensation information where it is available for comparable jobs and contacts national organizations for positions such as program coordinators. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15b | Regarding compensation, the board seeks out comparable compensation information where it is available for comparable jobs and contacts national organizations for positions such as program coordinators. |
| Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 | Governing documents and financial statements are made available to the public upon request. |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A - PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS | Our 2024 program accomplishments include:BLACKFOOT COMMUNITY CONSERVATION AREA Implemented 240 acres of forest mechanical treatments to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve stand resilience. Worked with Blackfoot Challenge Forestry & Prescribed Fire Coordinator and University of Montana to initiate prescribed burn plans for 5 management units. Controlled invasive weeds on road systems, forest treatment areas, and native prairies through integrated approaches across 100 acres including biological controls, chemical application, and hand-pulling. Hosted multiple events with university and volunteer groups to pull noxious weeds, remove old fence wire, and maintain beaver dam analogs. Participated in educational programs on the BCCA with area school groups, reaching more than 80 students. Maintained the 3-mile hiking/skiing trail system including annual mowing/grooming. Administered and maintained the new seasonal, cross-boundary motorized loop in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Implemented the NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program completing multiple conservation enhancements, including wildlife friendly fencing, forest treatments, noxious weed control, and vegetation monitoring. Maintained two beaver dam analogs as a demonstration to enhance wetland habitat, reconnect flood plain, and improve late season stock water. Installed additional off-stream stock tank to reduce pressure on riparian area and support the rotational grazing system. EDUCATION Provided live raptor program at Lincoln School. Led two field trips with Seeley Lake Elementary School Outdoor Program to learn about and observe trumpeter swans and common loons. Provided hands-on lessons on aquatic macroinvertebrates for students from two schools at Montana Outdoor Science Academy. Led field trips on stream ecology for students from Helmville and Lincoln schools. Delivered radio telemetry lessons to Ovando School students. Presented on collaborative conservation and wildlife conflict reduction methods to visiting Helena High School class. Offered bear awareness events for students at multiple watershed schools. Offered noxious weed education to students at Helmville and Sunset schools. Implemented a full day of education activities about water and fire for more than 120 students, teachers, and parents from six watershed schools at the DNRC Clearwater Unit for the annual Youth Field Day. Hosted a week-long field course for five students and two teachers from Shattuck St. Marys School, including field-based learning about collaborative conservation. FORESTRY Facilitated 600+ acres of prescribed burning on state and private lands and supported federal partner burns across another 600+ acres. Completed 589 acres of forest thinning to improve forest health and reduce fire risk. Conducted 14 outreach / education tours or events throughout the Blackfoot to showcase prescribed fire effects and efforts. Helped form the new Montana Prescribed Fire Council (hosted by Montana DNRC). Participated in a two-week prescribed fire Training Exchange (TREX) in Nebraska. Began planning a Blackfoot Valley TREX for spring of 2025 for prescribed fire field training and experience. LAND STEWARDSHIP Conducted multiple property assessments and landowner meetings associated with NRCS stewardship programs resulting in greater awareness and participation. Completed over 500 acres of private lands forest treatments under multiple to mitigate catastrophic wildfires and increase forest resiliency. Developed private lands grazing and riparian management plans for multiple stream protection projects. Completed Biochar Demonstration Project including the transfer of over 500 tons of biochar to 6 ranches, application and monitoring of outcomes. Coordinated Blackfoot Soil Health Work Group to share knowledge on bale grazing, cover crops, no-till seeding, and high stock density/short duration grazing. Coordinated multiple conifer encroachment removal projects covering hundreds of acres to conserve grassland/sage habitat and rangeland, benefiting rare native bird species. Provided presentations to multiple groups including University of Montana, Northwest Philanthropy Fellows, watershed groups, local schools, and agencies. Hosted a soil health education station at Youth Field Day event, reaching over 100 students from local schools.TRUMPETER SWANS & NATIVE BIRDS Conducted Climate Watch Nuthatch Survey through Montana Audubon. Participated in Cornell Labs Great Backyard Bird Count. Monitored wintering Blackfoot swans in the Ruby, Clearwater and Flathead valleys. Conducted and coordinated citizen science long-billed curlew surveys in conjunction with Montana Audubon. Monitored trumpeter swan territories for nest success, cygnet production, and fledging throughout the watershed and adjacent Swan Valley. Censused Brewers sparrows in conifer encroachment project sites. Engaged members in community science program monitoring common loons. VEGETATION Supported implementation of integrated noxious weed management for landowners, including providing native and exotic plant identification, herbicide application protocols, and biological control insect releases. Hosted 2 weed pulls at the Russell Gates Fishing Access Site for the 26th year. Received the second WHIP grant to revisit previously treated areas and initiate noxious weed treatment on new areas within the BCCA core. Worked on nearly 100 miles of the Blackfoot River corridor, inventorying and treating close to 65 acres of noxious weeds. Received a Noxious Weed Trust Fund cost-share grant for the Nevada Creek Vegetation Management Area and initiated treatments. Conducted pre- and post-monitoring for vegetation management practices along the Blackfoot River corridor and the Nevada Creek Vegetation Management Area. Held 2 noxious weed management informational programs, providing continuing education credits for licensed pesticide applicators.WATER Managed drought response with landowners during the worst drought conditions that the watershed has endured since the Drought Plan was created in 2000. Completed the 15th year of our irrigation scheduling program, providing weekly irrigation information, tips, drought strategies, and soil health concerns to over 100 irrigators. Continued in our 5th year of a soil moisture monitoring program, adding one location to bring our total to 18 locations where irrigators track daily soil moisture information, manage their irrigation applications, and test different irrigation or cropping strategies. Coordinated the third year of data collection on a hydrologic study aiming to understand the Blackfoot Rivers water budget at the watershed scale. Results are providing critical understanding to inform strategic implementation of water conservation efforts. Worked with multiple partners and landowners to collect a second year of stream flow and resource assessment data on three tributary streams to inform restoration designs that benefit fisheries, improve drought resiliency, and increase wetland habitats. Expanded efforts to build shared understanding, vision, and capacity to address growing recreation pressures by creating a new Recreation Program. Hosted 8 community meetings throughout the watershed, facilitated by a team from the University of Montanas Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management department, to collect local knowledge and concerns around recreation from watershed residents. Participated in 6 outreach events delivering messages on collaborative water management, drought resiliency, water conservation tools, and stream monitoring techniques to over 200 students, natural resource professionals, and landowners.continued below: |
| FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A - PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS | WILDLIFE Employed an Elk Hunt Coordinator to work with hunters on hunting opportunities and scheduled hunts on participating ranches during elk hunt shoulder seasons. Conducted winter track surveys in the Southwest Crown of the Continent for lynx, wolverine, wolves, mountain lion, marten, bobcat and late/early season grizzly bears. Launched a pilot project using virtual fencing to manage livestock grazing on public lands pastures, facilitating better management of livestock locations, reducing the need for hard fencing across wildlife habitats, and keeping livestock away from areas of potential conflicts with predators. Installed 7 new high priority electric fences and 12 new electric drive-over mats to deter grizzly bears from home sites and calving yards to prevent bears from getting into conflict. Also provided fence materials to protect 3 bee yards,1 chicken yard, 1 sheep night pen and 1 hobby farm compound. Removed 263 livestock carcasses from Blackfoot ranches and 338 livestock carcasses from outside the Blackfoot-area ranches to reduce attractants for bears and wolves. Hosted interactive Bear Aware programs at 4 watershed schools and hosted an annual training for staff at an area guest ranch. Provided a team of staff and board to consult with Colorado wildlife managers and landowners as they consider conflict management tools for reintroduced wolves. Provided 4 seasonal range riders to monitor livestock and wolf/grizzly bear/mountain lion activity across 72,000 acres. Provided 25 bear-resistant garbage cans to watershed residents; and placed 8 additional bear-resistant garbage cans and 3 garbage dumpster enclosures throughout 5 communities to continue to support Bear Smart efforts. Set up and maintained turbo fladry at 2 ranches during calving season to prevent conflicts with wolves. Handed out more than 100 cans of free bear spray and provided more than 50 cans of training/inert bear spray to watershed residents, ranchers, recreationists and hunters. Assisted Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks with grizzly bear management and research. |
| Software ID: | 24020490 |
| Software Version: | 2024v5.2 |