2025-06-04T15:08:48-05:00 2024-12-31 810348775 JUNKERMIERCLARKCAMPANELLASTEVENS PC 321 W BROADWAY 4TH FLOOR MISSOULA MT 59802 990 2024-01-01 870483446 THE VITAL GROUND FOUNDATION INC VITA 4065498650 30 FORT MISSOULA ROAD MISSOULA MT 598047211 RYAN LUTEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 4065498650 2025-05-30 1 1 DREW RIEKER CPAABV P01372762 4065494148 2025-05-30 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X RYAN LUTEY 30 FORT MISSOULA ROAD MISSOULA MT 598047211 5225140 0 X WWW.VITALGROUND.ORG X 1990 UT PROTECT AND RESTORE NORTH AMERICA'S GRIZZLY BEAR POPULATIONS BY CONSERVING WILDLIFE HABITAT. 19 19 12 19 0 0 6329416 4424173 0 0 336919 573600 19231 69785 6685566 5067558 51541 70400 0 0 781926 1056411 0 0 290022 1385607 1243439 2219074 2370250 4466492 2697308 22103827 24380269 721229 109249 21382598 24271020 X VITAL GROUND WORKS TO ENSURE THE RECOVERY AND LONG-TERM SURVIVAL OF GRIZZLY BEARS AND THE MANY NATIVE SPECIES THAT SHARE THEIR RANGE THROUGH THE PROTECTION AND RESTORATION OF WILDLIFE HABITAT AND LANDSCAPE LINKAGES, AND BY SUPPORTING COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS THAT PREVENT CONFLICTS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND WILDLIFE. 0 0 1004017 400 LAND CONSERVATION: VITAL GROUND IDENTIFIES CRUCIAL GRIZZLY BEAR HABITAT ON PRIVATELY OWNED LAND AND WORKS WITH WILLING LANDOWNERS TO PROTECT THE LAND'S CONSERVATION VALUES. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY ACQUIRING CONSERVATION EASEMENTS THROUGH DONATION OR BARGAIN PURCHASE, OR BY PURCHASING LAND IN FEE TITLE THEN MANAGING IT TO BENEFIT WILDLIFE AND THE PUBLIC. VITAL GROUND HAS A PERPETUAL RESPONSIBILITY TO MONITOR THE LANDS ON WHICH IT HOLDS CONSERVATION EASEMENTS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. VITAL GROUND ALSO MANAGES AND WORKS TO RESTORE THE LAND IT OWNS TO PROVIDE QUALITY HABITAT FOR THE BENEFIT OF GRIZZLY BEARS AND OTHER WILDLIFE. IN ADDITION TO DEVELOPING AND MANAGING ITS OWN PROJECTS, VITAL GROUND STRATEGICALLY PROVIDES GRANTS TO AGENCIES, GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AND OTHER NONPROFIT CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS TO ASSIST THEIR EFFORTS TO CONSERVE AND RESTORE IMPORTANT WILDLIFE HABITAT AND PREVENT CONFLICTS BETWEEN BEARS AND PEOPLE.2024 ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:CONSERVATION EASEMENTS - ACQUIRED ONE CONSERVATION EASEMENT IN MONTANA TOTALING 160 ACRES TO PROTECT HIGHLY THREATENED GRIZZLY BEAR HABITAT IN A KEY LINKAGE AREA BETWEEN THE NORTHERN CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AND BITTERROOT GRIZZLY BEAR RECOVERY AREAS.- MONITORED TWENTY-THREE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS HELD BY VITAL GROUND IN MONTANA, THREE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS HELD BY VITAL GROUND IN IDAHO, AND FOUR U.S. FOREST SERVICE FOREST LEGACY PROGRAM CONSERVATION EASEMENTS HELD BY THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF LANDS IN IDAHO. LAND ACQUISITION AND MANAGEMENT- ACQUIRED TWO PROPERTIES TOTALING 60 ACRES IN FEE-TITLE IN MONTANA TO PROTECT WILDLIFE HABITAT AND SCENIC VALUES, AND TO SPECIFICALLY CONSERVE KEY GRIZZLY BEAR HABITAT IN THE CABINET-YAAK AND NORTHERN CONTINENTAL DIVIDE ECOSYSTEMS.- CONTINUED PROMOTING THE GOALS OF THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE'S COMMUNITY FOREST AND OPEN SPACE PROGRAM THROUGH FOREST STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES AT VITAL GROUND'S ALVORD LAKE COMMUNITY FOREST, CONDUCTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PUBLIC STAKEHOLDERS' COMMITTEE THAT GUIDES MANAGEMENT OF THE FOREST.- MONITORED AND MANAGED FIVE FEE-TITLE CONSERVATION PROPERTIES IN IDAHO AND SEVEN FEE-TITLE CONSERVATION PROPERTIES IN MONTANA.- CONDUCTED WILDLIFE HABITAT ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES ON PROPERTIES IN BONNER COUNTY, IDAHO, AND IN LINCOLN AND SANDERS COUNTIES, MONTANA. 761896 CONSERVATION EDUCATION: VITAL GROUND PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT GRIZZLY BEAR AND ASSOCIATED WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION THROUGH ITS PRINT AND DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS, SPECIAL MAILINGS, WEBSITE, EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS, SOCIAL MEDIA, IN-PERSON AND ONLINE EVENTS, VIDEOS AND OTHER MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PARTICIPATES IN COLLABORATIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE THE CONSERVATION OF GRIZZLY BEARS AND THEIR HABITAT, PREVENT CONFLICTS BETWEEN BEARS AND HUMANS AND ENHANCE THE SURVIVAL OF GRIZZLY BEARS. 2024 ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:- PRODUCED ROUGHLY 12,000 COPIES OF VITAL NEWS, THE ORGANIZATION'S BIANNUAL 16-PAGE PRINT NEWSLETTER THAT REPORTS ON GRIZZLY BEAR AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION ISSUES AS WELL AS PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS.- PRODUCED 12 MONTHLY EMAIL NEWSLETTERS ("VITAL ENEWS") PLUS 1-2 OTHER EMAIL CAMPAIGNS PER MONTH, EACH DISTRIBUTED TO APPROXIMATELY 10,000 UNIQUE RECIPIENTS (289,421 TOTAL COMMUNICATIONS). THESE ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS REPORTED ON GRIZZLY BEAR AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION ISSUES, EMERGING PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES, CONSERVATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS, CONSERVATION AND BUSINESS PARTNERS, FUNDING NEEDS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT VITAL GROUND'S MISSION.- PRODUCED OTHER ASSORTED PRINT POSTCARDS, BROCHURES AND PROMOTIONS THAT REPORTED ON GRIZZLY BEAR AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION ISSUES, EMERGING PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES, CONSERVATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS, CONSERVATION AND BUSINESS PARTNERS, FUNDING NEEDS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT VITAL GROUND'S MISSION.- MAINTAINED A WEBSITE (WWW.VITALGROUND.ORG), INCLUDING A BLOG TYPICALLY UPDATED MULTIPLE TIMES PER MONTH (20 TOTAL POSTS IN 2024), THAT PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT GRIZZLY BEARS AND ASSOCIATED WILDLIFE, NEWS AND SCIENCE UPDATES ON WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ISSUES, CURRENT GRIZZLY BEAR CONSERVATION PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES, AND VITAL GROUND CONSERVATION PROJECT AND PARTNER ACCOMPLISHMENTS. VITAL GROUND'S WEBSITE EXPERIENCED 101,121 USERS AND 184,947 SESSIONS DURING 2024.- PRODUCED DAILY FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM UPDATES PROMOTING WILDLIFE HABITAT PROTECTION, GRIZZLY BEAR NATURAL HISTORY AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION TOPICS TO AN AUDIENCE OF OVER 53,000 FOLLOWERS ON FACEBOOK (UP 5 PERCENT IN 2024) AND OVER 8,800 FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM (UP 16 PERCENT IN 2024). PRODUCED TWO NEW VIDEOS AND GREW VITAL GROUND'S YOUTUBE AUDIENCE TO A TOTAL OF 28,200 SUBSCRIBERS. 70000 70000 OTHER: IN ADDITION TO ITS HABITAT CONSERVATION AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROGRAMS, THE VITAL GROUND FOUNDATION ALSO PARTNERS WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND TRIBAL AGENCIES, OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS PREVENTING CONFLICTS BETWEEN BEARS AND PEOPLE. THROUGH ITS 2024 CONSERVATION PARTNERS PROGRAM, VITAL GROUND AWARDED $70,000 IN SMALL GRANTS TO 16 COMMUNITIES, ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES WORKING TO PREVENT CONFLICTS BETWEEN BEARS AND PEOPLE IN 15 HIGH PRIORITY LANDSCAPES. THESE INVESTMENTS HELPED:- PROTECT 48,000 ACRES OF LIVESTOCK RANGE USING RANGE RIDERS- CONSTRUCT 33 ELECTRIC FENCES TO SECURE CHICKEN COOPS, ORCHARDS, AND LIVESTOCK- DISTRIBUTE 69 BEAR PROOF CONTAINERS - REMOVE 336 LIVESTOCK CARCASSES IN AREAS PRONE TO WILDLIFE CONFLICT- PROVIDE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO MORE THAN 8,000 PEOPLE AT EVENTS, MAILINGS, AND BEAR SPRAY TRAINING SESSIONS - GLEAN 13,700 POUNDS OF FRUIT- PURCHASE 4700 CONFLICT PREVENTION MATERIALS- PURCHASE 24 CONFLICT PREVENTION TOOLS PROACTIVE PREVENTION OF AVOIDABLE CONFLICTS BETWEEN BEARS AND PEOPLE IS CRITICAL TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND THE BROADER PUBLIC ACCEPTING THE PRESENCE OF GRIZZLIES AS THE SPECIES RECOVERS AND EXPANDS BACK INTO HABITAT WHERE IT HAS BEEN ABSENT - IN SOME CASES FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY. 1835913 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 24 0 1 12 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 19 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 AL AR CA CT FL GA IL KS KY MD MA MI MN MS NH NJ NM NY NC OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WV WI X X THE ORGANIZATION 4065498650 30 FORT MISSOULA ROAD MISSOULA MT 598047211 KELLY JOHNSON CHAIR 20.00 X X 0 0 0 MATTHEW DUSEK VICE CHAIR 4.00 X X 0 0 0 THERESA YOUNG SECRETARY 4.00 X X 0 0 0 TIM POLICH TREASURER 9.00 X X 0 0 0 DALE BECKER TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 DOUG CHADWICK TRUSTEE 6.00 X 0 0 0 SCOTT BIRMINGHAM TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 TOM FEY TRUSTEE 2.00 X 0 0 0 RUSSELL FOX TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN HECHTEL TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 JO LOWE TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 MAUREEN MAYER TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREA NASI TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 LYNNE SEUS TRUSTEE 6.00 X 0 0 0 STUART STRAHL TRUSTEE 2.00 X 0 0 0 MEGGEN WILSON TRUSTEE 3.00 X 0 0 0 CHERI COOLEY-HICK TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 KEN HICK TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 DANIELLE FEIDLER TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 RYAN LUTEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 191400 0 13328 191400 0 13328 1 0 1 0 0 121771 610444 3691958 86000 4424173 573405 573405 44240 0 44240 44240 44240 140942 140747 195 195 195 4500 1730 2770 2770 17568 15105 2463 2463 KNIGHT INLET, NET 900099 20312 20312 20312 5067558 20312 0 623073 X 70400 70400 190400 125664 28560 36176 725516 478841 108828 137847 52001 34320 7800 9881 9354 6174 1403 1777 79140 52234 11871 15035 11709 11034 675 625879 603867 12446 9566 48543 48404 139 194476 135696 17934 40846 36651 20065 8293 8293 43504 29500 6595 7409 9377 4688 2345 2344 21046 17971 2784 291 CONSERVATION EASEMENT A 79999 79999 LICENSES AND TAXES 44170 39716 2504 1950 DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 38097 27277 9475 1345 MAILING LIST RENTAL 21974 16494 5480 68014 33569 22663 11782 2370250 1835913 244315 290022 4178222 3539961 3349593 5209030 8734 19515 12409 5091 5091 12127508 35790 11414902 12091718 3023114 3464469 104656 57591 22103827 24380269 73200 88838 600000 48029 20411 721229 109249 X 7232747 10094007 14149851 14177013 21382598 24271020 22103827 24380269 2697308 191114 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 2675589 7531766 5390522 6329416 4426943 26354236 2675589 7531766 5390522 6329416 4426943 26354236 2073418 24280818 10124 7026 106822 336697 573405 1034074 14924 19231 46703 80858 27469168 37775 0.88390 0.90620 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X 28 6620.00 2 1 255.00 1974 192972 28712 221684 168665 24307 192972 196719 -28054 168665 130277 34184 40254 7996 196719 118731 11546 130277 0.60970 0.39030 0 0 12061381 12061381 37777 19429 18348 28350 16361 11989 12091718 SPLIT INTEREST AGREEMENT 8994 LEASE LIABILIY 11417 20411 5297936 191114 39264 230378 5067558 0 5067558 2409514 39264 39264 2370250 0 2370250 PART II, LINE 9: THE ORGANIZATION REPORTS THE DONATED VALUE OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS IN REVENUE IN THE STATEMENT OF ACTIVITY. THE DONATED VALUE OF THE EASEMENT LESS $1, THE AMOUNT RECORDED IN THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION FOR EACH CONSERVATION EASEMENT, IS RECORDED IN THE STATEMENT OF ACTIVITY AS A PROGRAM EXPENSE. THE COST OF THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT TO THE ORGANIZATION IS RECORDED IN THE STATEMENT OF ACTIVITY AS A PROGRAM EXPENSE. PART V, LINE 4: VITAL GROUND'S ENDOWMENT FUND PROVIDES LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR ORGANIZATIONAL OPERATIONS AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS. 0 METHOW VALLEY BEAR AWARE 305 E METHOW VALLEY HWY TWISP WA 98856 911061350 N/A 11210 0 CONSERVATION PARTNER GRANT TETON REGIONAL LAND TRUST PO BOX 247 DRIGGS ID 83422 943146525 501(C)(3) 10000 0 CONSERVATION PARTNER GRANT BLACKFOOT CHALLENGE 405 MAIN STREET OVANDO MT 59854 810488863 501(C)(3) 5500 0 CONSERVATION PARTNER GRANT 2 X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 RYAN LUTEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 183400 0 8000 0 0 0 13328 0 0 0 204728 0 0 0 PART I, LINE 3 THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES USING CURRENT COMPENSATION SURVEY INFORMATION FROM THE LAND TRUST ALLIANCE AND CONSIDERATION OF FORM 990 RETURNS FROM SIMILARLY SITUATED ORGANIZATIONS. X 5 140747 FAIR MARKET VALUE X 1 80000 APPRAISAL 0 1 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B PRIOR TO FILING, A COMPLETE COPY OF THE 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE ORGANIZATION'S FINANCE DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE ORGANIZATION'S AUDIT COMMITTEE (A COMMITTEE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES). A COPY OF THE 990 IS THEN PROVIDED TO THE FULL BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY APPLIES TO ALL PERSONS HOLDING POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY AND TRUST ON BEHALF OF VITAL GROUND, INCLUDING EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE APPLICATION AND INTERPRETATION OF THE POLICY ON CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AS IT RELATES TO OFFICERS, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE APPLICATION AND INTERPRETATION OF THE POLICY AS IT RELATES TO EMPLOYEES OF VITAL GROUND. AN INSIDER WHO HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST MAY PARTICIPATE AS AN INSIDER IN THE BOARD'S OR COMMITTEE'S DISCUSSION OF THE CONTRACT OR TRANSACTION IF ASKED TO PARTICIPATE BY THE BOARD OR COMMITTEE. THE PERSON WITH A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IS OTHERWISE NOT PRESENT FOR THE CONTRACT OR TRANSACTION DISCUSSION. THE INSIDER HAVING A CONFLICT OF INTEREST MAY NOT VOTE ON THE CONTRACT OR TRANSACTION OR BE PRESENT DURING VOTING. SUCH INSIDER'S INELIGIBILITY TO VOTE SHALL BE REFLECTED IN THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING. IF REQUESTED BY THE BOARD, AN INSIDER SHALL TAKE A TEMPORARY LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM THE BOARD UNTIL COMPLETION OF THE CONTRACT OR TRANSACTION IN WHICH THE INSIDER HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15 THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES USING CURRENT COMPENSATION SURVEY INFORMATION FROM THE LAND TRUST ALLIANCE AND CONSIDERATION OF FORM 990 RETURNS FROM SIMILARLY SITUATED ORGANIZATIONS. THE TOTAL EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION BUDGET IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES AS PART OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESS. EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION (OTHER THAN THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) IS NOT INDIVIDUALLY REVIEWED BY THE BOARD, BUT BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. PUBLISHED SALARY SURVEYS (LAND TRUST ALLIANCE AND TRAINING RESOURCES FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY) ARE USED TO PROVIDE COMPARATIVE COMPENSATION GUIDELINES. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE POSTED ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE. OTHER ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS (FORM 1023, IRS LETTER OF DETERMINATIONS, ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, BYLAWS, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST POLICY, AND OTHER GOVERNING POLICIES) ARE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G OTHER SERVICES: PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES 603,867. MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL EXPENSES 12,446. FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 9,566. TOTAL EXPENSES 625,879.