Nonprofit · EIN 81-0302638
BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT CORP OF NORTH MONTANA HILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Tax-exempt · HAVRE, MT 59501
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $5,495,201 | $2,767,821 | $2,727,380 | $20,358,223 | $1,822,481 | $18,535,742 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $6,478,183 | $1,580,208 | $4,897,975 | $17,681,687 | $1,873,325 | $15,808,362 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $3,217,270 | $1,151,392 | $2,065,878 | $12,950,980 | $2,036,995 | $10,913,985 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $4,745,878
- of which government grants
- $4,624,378
- Membership dues
- $105,000
- Program service revenue
- $140,792
- Investment income
- $608,531
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $238,362
- Other salaries and wages
- $287,233
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $712,381
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $5,810
- Accounting fees
- $37,500
- Occupancy
- $18,296
- Travel
- $30,069
- Depreciation
- $17,667
- Program services (functional)
- $2,540,512
- Management and general (functional)
- $227,309
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $17,681,687
- Total assets, end of year
- $20,358,223
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $1,822,481
- Net assets, end of year
- $18,535,742
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $506,743
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $18,485,736
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $50,006
- Gross receipts
- $5,495,201
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 64
- Year formed
- 1968
- State of legal domicile
- MT
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL TUSS | ED Officer | 40 | $103,506 | $8,029 |
| STEFNIE REDDING | DOO Officer | 40 | $70,900 | $7,863 |
| PATRISHA CICHOSZ | LOAN OFFICER Officer | 40 | $63,955 | $4,199 |
| DAVE SKIFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RACHEL GHEKIERE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GREG KEGEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAREY BISHOP | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIRSTEN KAMMERZELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RHIANNON DUNKIN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SHERI WILLIAMS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICK DARLINGTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS GREEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRUCE CHRISTOFFERSON | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| SHANE FOX | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DOUG KAERCHER | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
9 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORRY FRUIT | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| CASEY COTE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JIM GHEKIERE | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| ANGIE BILLMAYER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOHN DEMARAIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LANNY WALKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| WENDY KLEINSASSER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| LEONA KIENENBERGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RICHARD SANGREY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 28 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL TUSS | ED Officer | 40 | $100,810 | $7,718 |
| STEFNIE REDDING | DOO Officer | 40 | $64,597 | $7,405 |
| PATRISHA CICHOSZ | LOAN OFFICER Officer | 40 | $61,791 | $4,055 |
| DAVE SKIFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBBIE CALLAHAN | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GREG KEGEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAREY BISHOP | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIRSTEN KAMMERZELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RHONDA BREWER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RON YOUNG | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TERRY BROCKIE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIM SOLOMON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRUCE CHRISTOFFERSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DIANE MCLEAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DOUG KAERCHER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EMILY HARSHMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| FRANK DEPRIEST | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM GHEKIERE | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOESEPH WERTZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN DEMARAIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LANNY WALKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICK DARLINGTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT ROSS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WENDY KLEINSASSER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LEONA KIENENBERGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD SANGREY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LORETTA BELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIFFANY MELBY | LOAN OFFICER Officer | 40 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 28 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAUL TUSS | ED Officer | 40 | $96,938 | $7,467 |
| STEFNIE REDDING | DOO Officer | 40 | $59,207 | $6,632 |
| PATRISHA CICHOSZ | LOAN OFFICER Officer | 40 | $57,671 | $4,060 |
| TIFFANY MELBY | LOAN OFFICER Officer | 40 | $15,178 | $664 |
| DAVE SKIFF | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBBIE CALLAHAN | PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GREG KEGEL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KAREY BISHOP | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KIRSTEN KAMMERZELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RHONDA BREWER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RON YOUNG | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TERRY BROCKIE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TIM SOLOMON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRUCE CHRISTOFFERSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DIANE MCLEAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DOUG KAERCHER | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EMILY HARSHMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| FRANK DEPRIEST | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JIM GHEKIERE | VICE PRESIDENT Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOESEPH WERTZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN DEMARAIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LANNY WALKER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICK DARLINGTON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT ROSS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| WENDY KLEINSASSER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LEONA KIENENBERGER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RICHARD SANGREY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LORETTA BELL | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- PO BOX 170, HAVRE, MT 59501-0170
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- ORRY FRUIT, PO BOX 170, HAVRE, MT 59501
- Signed the 990
- ORRY FRUIT, BOARD PRESIDENT
- Phone
- (406) 265-9226
- Website
- BEARPAW.ORG
- Return prepared by
- PINION LLC
Mission
THE COMPANY'S PRIMARY FUNCTION IS THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN HILL, BLAINE, LIBERTY, PHILLIPS AND CHOUTEAU COUNTIES OF MONTANA.
Program accomplishments
- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ACTIVITIES. BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WORKS WITH LOCAL AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND PRIVATE INTERESTS, ON INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS IN A NUMBER OF AREAS, INCLUDING COMMUNITY PLANNING, VALUE-ADDED AGRICULTURE AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT. IN 2025, THESE EFFORTS CONTRIBUTED SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE ECONOMIC VITALITY OF THE REGION, UNDERSCORING BEAR PAW'S PIVOTAL ROLE IN ADVANCING DEVELOPMENT IN THIS RURAL AREA.Expenses $254,222
- BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT'S BROWNFIELDS PROGRAM THAT STARTED IN 2009 HAS BEEN FUNDED BY A TOTAL OF $5.45 MILLION IN GRANTS FROM THE EPA. $1.8 MILLION OF THIS AMOUNT IS ASSOCIATED WITH PERFORMING ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS ON PROPERTIES IN THE BEAR PAW DISTRICT THAT ARE CONTAMINATED OR PERCEIVED TO BE CONTAMINATED. $3.65 MILLION IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BROWNFIELDS REVOLVING LOAN FUND TO MAKE LOW OR NO INTEREST LOANS TO BUSINESSES AND OTHER ENTITIES WISHING TO CLEANUP CONTAMINATION ON THEIR PROPERTY. TO DATE, 98 ASSESSMENTS AND 19 CLEANUPS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.Expenses $477,882
- ADMINISTRATION OF LOAN PROGRAMS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THROUGH BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT'S LOAN DEPARTMENT, $5.4 MILLION WAS LOANED TO SMALL BUSINESSES IN 2025 FOR START-UP OR EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES. THESE LOANS WERE FOR BUSINESSES THAT COULD NOT RECEIVE FINANCING FROM CONVENTIONAL BANK SOURCES. THIS LOAN ACTIVITY RESULTED IN THE CREATION OR RETENTION OF 30 JOBS.Expenses $1,677,036
- SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER ACTIVITIES. BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SERVES AS THE HOST FOR ONE OF TEN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS LOCATED THROUGHOUT MONTANA. FUNDING THROUGH A VARIETY OF SOURCES ALLOWS BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT TO HIRE AN INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSISTING SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS WITH ASSISTANCE IN DEVELOPING BUSINESS PLANS, FINANCE STRATEGIES, AND MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES. IN 2025 THE SBDC AT BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT COUNSELED 68 DISTINCT CLIENTS, WHICH RESULTED IN OVER $627,160 IN FINANCING FROM LOCAL BANKS AND OTHER SOURCES. THIS FUNDING HELPED TO START 3 NEW BUSINESSES, WHILE SUPPORTING 57 JOBS.ST. MARY REHABILITATION WORKING GROUP ACTIVITIES. BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SERVES AS FISCAL AGENT FOR THIS GROUP OF CONCERNED ENTITIES IN THE MILK RIVER BASIN THAT HAS ORGANIZED TO EXPEDITE THE REHABILITATION OF THE ST. MARY CONVEYANCE WORKS AND CANAL SYSTEM, WHICH DELIVERS WATER FOR IRRIGATION, RECREATION, AND MUNICIPAL USE TO A BROAD AREA OF NORTHERN MONTANA. THE GROUP CONSISTS OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM MUNICIPALITIES, CONSERVATION GROUPS, IRRIGATION DISTRICTS, AND OTHERS, AND WORKS WITH THE STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO SECURE FUNDING FOR THIS AGING INFRASTRUCTURE, WHICH WAS DEVELOPED NEARLY 100 YEARS AGO.Expenses $131,372 · revenue $140,792
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 81-0302638
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1969
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Community improvement and capacity building (S300)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $20,358,223
- Income (IRS master file)
- $5,495,201
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $5,495,201 | $2,767,821 | $20,358,223 | XML |
| 990 | December 2024 | $6,478,183 | $1,580,208 | $17,681,687 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $3,217,270 | $1,151,392 | $12,950,980 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $1,522,594 | $1,388,502 | $10,521,298 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 81-0302638).
Questions about BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT CORP OF NORTH MONTANA HILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE
- What is the EIN of BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT CORP OF NORTH MONTANA HILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT CORP OF NORTH MONTANA HILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE is 81-0302638.
- Is BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT CORP OF NORTH MONTANA HILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1969.
- Are donations to BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT CORP OF NORTH MONTANA HILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT CORP OF NORTH MONTANA HILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT CORP OF NORTH MONTANA HILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE due?
- The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT CORP OF NORTH MONTANA HILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT CORP OF NORTH MONTANA HILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names ORRY FRUIT.
- Who are the officers and directors of BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT CORP OF NORTH MONTANA HILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 24 people; 3 received compensation from the organization, the highest $103,506 (PAUL TUSS, ED).
- How much revenue does BEAR PAW DEVELOPMENT CORP OF NORTH MONTANA HILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $5,495,201, expenses of $2,767,821 and total assets of $20,358,223 at year end.
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All nonprofits in HAVRE · Montana · Community improvement and capacity building