2023-07-24T13:32:31-05:00 2022-12-31 810348775 JUNKERMIERCLARKCAMPANELLASTEVENS PC 321 W BROADWAY 4TH FLOOR MISSOULA MT 59802 990 2022-01-01 870483446 THE VITAL GROUND FOUNDATION INC VITA 4065498650 30 FORT MISSOULA ROAD MISSOULA MT 598047202 RYAN LUTEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 4065498650 2023-07-20 1 RYAN LUTEY 999009999 0 DREW RIEKER CPAABV P01372762 4065494148 0 AAL1 IAL1 2022 2023-04-26 12:10:37Z X RYAN LUTEY 30 FORT MISSOULA ROAD MISSOULA MT 598047202 5574049 0 X WWW.VITALGROUND.ORG X 1990 UT PROTECT AND RESTORE NORTH AMERICA'S GRIZZLY BEAR POPULATIONS BY CONSERVING WILDLIFE HABITAT. 15 15 9 18 0 0 7531766 5362254 0 0 1066 107275 11674 20198 7544506 5489727 63000 75500 0 0 674640 702330 0 0 225434 2748755 1596305 3486395 2374135 4058111 3115592 13941782 17450380 67510 837465 13874272 16612915 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 1729194 14500 LAND CONSERVATION: VITAL GROUND IDENTIFIES CRUCIAL GRIZZLY BEAR HABITAT ON PRIVATE LAND AND WORKS WITH WILLING LANDOWNERS TO PROTECT THE LAND'S CONSERVATION VALUES. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY ACQUIRING CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON THE LAND 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 HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO RESTORE AND MANAGE 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. 2022 ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:CONSERVATION EASEMENTS -ACQUIRED TWO CONSERVATION EASEMENTS IN MONTANA TOTALING 313 ACRES THAT PROTECT HIGHLY THREATENED GRIZZLY BEAR HABITAT AND A KEY LINKAGE AREA BETWEEN THE NORTHERN CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AND BITTERROOT GRIZZLY BEAR RECOVERY AREAS.-MONITORED TWENTY 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 ONE PROPERTY TOTALING 148 ACRES IN FEE-TITLE IN IDAHO TO PROTECT WILDLIFE HABITAT AND SCENIC VALUES, AND TO SPECIFICALLY CONSERVE KEY GRIZZLY BEAR HABITAT IN THE SELKIRK MOUNTAINS 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 FOUR FEE-TITLE CONSERVATION PROPERTIES IN IDAHO AND SIX FEE-TITLE CONSERVATION PROPERTIES IN MONTANA.-CONDUCTED HABITAT ENHANCEMENT ACTIVITIES ON PROPERTIES HELD FOR THE BENEFIT OF WILDLIFE IN BONNER COUNTY, IDAHO, AND IN LINCOLN COUNTY, MONTANA. 232026 17463 CONSERVATION EDUCATION: VITAL GROUND PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT GRIZZLY BEARS, ASSOCIATED WILDLIFE AND HABITAT CONSERVATION THROUGH ITS PUBLICATIONS, SPECIAL MAILERS, WEBSITE, EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS, SOCIAL MEDIA, LIVE PRESENTATIONS, 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. 2022 ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:-PRODUCED 10,000 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 ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTERS PLUS OTHER ELECTRONIC CORRESPONDENCE THAT WAS DISTRIBUTED TO APPROXIMATELY 9,000 UNIQUE RECIPIENTS (172,800 TOTAL COMMUNICATIONS). THESE ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS REPORTED ON GRIZZLY BEAR AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION ISSUES, EMERGING PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES, CONSERVATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS, CONSERVATION AND BUSINESS PARTNERS, AND FUNDING NEEDS.-PRODUCED OTHER ASSORTED POSTCARDS AND PROMOTIONS THAT REPORTED ON GRIZZLY BEAR AND WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION ISSUES, EMERGING PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES, CONSERVATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS, CONSERVATION AND BUSINESS PARTNERS AND FUNDING NEEDS.-MAINTAINED A WEBSITE (WWW.VITALGROUND.ORG) PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT GRIZZLY BEARS, WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION ISSUES, CURRENT GRIZZLY BEAR CONSERVATION CHALLENGES AND PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. DURING 2022, THE WEBSITE EXPERIENCED 93,848 USERS AND 110,547 SESSIONS.-PRODUCED FIVE NEW VIDEOS AND GREW VITAL GROUND'S YOUTUBE AUDIENCE BY ROUGHLY 2,500 FOLLOWERS TO A TOTAL OF 27,500 SUBSCRIBERS. -PROMOTED WILDLIFE HABITAT, GRIZZLY BEAR NATURAL HISTORY AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION TOPICS TO A SOCIAL MEDIA AUDIENCE OF MORE THAN 90,000. 61000 61000 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 TO PREVENT CONFLICTS BETWEEN BEARS AND PEOPLE. THROUGH ITS 2022 CONSERVATION PARTNERS GRANT PROGRAM, VITAL GROUND AWARDED $61,000 IN SMALL GRANTS TO 18 LOCAL COMMUNITIES, ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES WORKING TO PREVENT CONFLICTS BETWEEN BEARS AND PEOPLE IN 14 HIGH PRIORITY LANDSCAPES. THESE INVESTMENTS HELPED:-PROTECT 52,000 ACRES OF LIVESTOCK RANGE USING RANGE RIDERS. -CONSTRUCT ELECTRIC FENCING OF 3 BARNS/RANCHING HEADQUARTERS, 3 ORCHARDS, 1 CHICKEN COOP, AND 1 DUCK YARD. -DISTRIBUTE 76 BEAR-RESISTANT GARBAGE CONTAINERS.-BEAR-PROOF 2 GARBAGE COLLECTION SITES.-REMOVE 35 LIVESTOCK CARCASSES IN AREAS PRONE TO WILDLIFE CONFLICT.-PROVIDE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TO MORE THAN 3,000 PEOPLE AT 74 PRESENTATIONS AND BEAR SPRAY TRAINING SESSIONS.-GLEAN 5,161 POUNDS OF APPLES, A MAJOR BEAR ATTRACTANT.-RESPOND TO 25 ON-SITE CONFLICTS WITH KARELIAN BEAR DOGS.-DISTRIBUTE 31 BEAR SPRAY CANISTERS AND 30 FOOD STORAGE BAGS. PROACTIVE PREVENTION OF AVOIDABLE CONFLICTS BETWEEN BEARS AND PEOPLE IS CRITICAL TO COMMUNITIES ACCEPTING GRIZZLIES AS THE SPECIES RECOVERS AND EXPANDS BACK INTO LOCATIONS WHERE IT HAS BEEN ABSENT, IN SOME CASES FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY. 2022220 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 19 0 1 9 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 15 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 AL AK AR CA CT FL GA IL KS KY MD MA MI MN MS NH NJ NM NY NC OK OR PA RI SC TN UT VA WA WV WI X X THE ORGANIZATION 4065498650 30 FORT MISSOULA ROAD MISSOULA MT 598047202 KELLY JOHNSON CHAIR 15.00 X X 0 0 0 SCOTT BIRMINGHAM VICE CHAIR 4.00 X X 0 0 0 SOU BARRETT SECRETARY 9.00 X X 0 0 0 TIM POLICH TREASURER 9.00 X X 0 0 0 WALLY BECKY TRUSTEE 9.00 X 0 0 0 JACK CAPP TRUSTEE 5.00 X 0 0 0 MATTHEW DUSEK TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 TOM FEY TRUSTEE 9.00 X 0 0 0 RUSSELL FOX TRUSTEE 2.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN HECHTEL TRUSTEE 3.00 X 0 0 0 MAUREEN MAYER TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 JO LOWE TRUSTEE 9.00 X 0 0 0 ANDREA NASI TRUSTEE 9.00 X 0 0 0 LYNNE SEUS TRUSTEE 7.00 X 0 0 0 STUART STRAHL TRUSTEE 2.00 X 0 0 0 DOUG CHADWICK TRUSTEE (FORMER) 12.00 X 0 0 0 THERESA YOUNG TRUSTEE (FORMER) 9.00 X 0 0 0 RYAN LUTEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 161700 0 9115 161700 0 9115 1 0 1 0 0 97612 44678 72980 5146984 1118011 5362254 106822 106822 7294 0 7294 7294 7294 41049 40596 453 453 453 28610 44678 40799 -12189 -12189 10029 2927 7102 7102 KNIGHT INLET, NET 900099 17463 17463 OTHER REVENUE 900099 528 528 17991 5489727 17463 0 110010 75500 75500 161700 114807 19404 27489 448745 318610 53848 76287 27021 17648 4936 4437 8797 5746 1607 1444 56067 39808 6751 9508 3323 3323 117280 94732 4614 17934 34139 34139 154237 93222 12142 48873 22515 11258 5627 5630 32760 21496 2177 9087 3137 1569 784 784 16570 14007 2271 292 CONSERVATION EASEMENT A 1079998 1079998 DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 30680 19800 5315 5565 MAILING LIST RENTAL 23560 15314 8246 LICENSES AND TAXES 19933 19933 58173 41310 7005 9858 2374135 2022220 126481 225434 1648433 2789861 699242 1707915 100000 15409 16258 5091 5091 8944325 55646 9095336 8888679 3875910 2371731 106540 66666 13941782 17450380 55428 66396 760000 12082 0 11069 67510 837465 X 4920546 5419058 8953726 11193857 13874272 16612915 13941782 17450380 3115592 -376949 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 2784128 2188820 2675589 7531766 5390522 20570825 2784128 2188820 2675589 7531766 5390522 20570825 2547664 18023161 4903 14557 10124 7026 106822 143432 14924 14924 20729181 17463 0.86950 0.88920 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X 25 6400.00 2 1 351.00 1545 196719 -28054 168665 130277 34184 40254 7996 196719 118731 11546 130277 96837 25644 3750 118731 99689 11199 14051 96837 0.48710 0.51290 0 0 8868878 8868878 44282 39937 4345 31165 15709 15456 8888679 SPLIT INTEREST AGREEMENT 11069 11069 5246368 -376949 93133 40457 -243359 5489727 0 5489727 2507725 93133 40457 133590 2374135 0 2374135 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. PART XI, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: DIRECT FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 40,457. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: DIRECT FUNDRAISING EXPENSES 40,457. AUCTION 73288 44678 28610 40799 73288 44678 28610 40799 40799 -12189 1 HEART OF THE ROCKIES 120 HICKORTY ST STE B MISSOULA MT 59801 463635624 501(C)(3) 7000 0 CONSERVATION PARTNER GRANT NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION 11100 WILDLIFE CENTER DRIVE RESTON VA 20190 530204616 501(C)(3) 10000 0 CONSERVATION PARTNER GRANT LOLO SCHOOL DISTRICT 11395 US HWY 93 S LOLO MT 59847 463635624 MISSOULA COUNTY 12500 0 CONSERVATION PARTNER GRANT 3 PART I, LINE 2: VITAL GROUND REQUIRES A DETAILED PROJECT PROPOSAL AND BUDGET FROM PROSPECTIVE GRANTEES PRIOR TO APPROVING AND AWARDING GRANTS. GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE VETTED BY VITAL GROUND PROGRAM OFFICERS AND THE LANDS COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. THE USE OF GRANT FUNDS IS MONITORED BY REQUIRING WRITTEN PROJECT PROGRESS/COMPLETION REPORTS FROM ALL GRANTEES. X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 RYAN LUTEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 154500 0 7200 0 0 0 7750 0 1365 0 170815 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 2 40595 FAIR MARKET VALUE X 2 1080000 APPRAISAL X GOODS FOR AUCTION 39 38011 FAIR MARKET VALUE 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, REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE ORGANIZATION'S AUDIT COMMITTEE (A COMMITTEE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES), AND A REDACTED VERSION PROVIDED TO THE ORGANIZATION'S 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.