2025-11-10T07:48:51-06:00 2024-12-31 251637458 LOUIS PLUNG & COMPANY LLP 20 STANWIX ST SUITE 901 PITTSBURGH PA 15222 990 2024-01-01 251667889 RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY GROUP RETURN RUFF 4122624044 100 HIGH TOWER BLVD 101 PITTSBURGH PA 15205 BENJAMIN JONES PRESIDENT AND CEO 4122624044 2025-11-06 1 1 JOSEPH C ZOVKO P00299402 4122818771 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z BENJAMIN JONES 100 HIGH TOWER BLVD 101 PITTSBURGH PA 15205 884092 1 1 3255 X WWW.RUFFEDGROUSESOCIETY.ORG X ESTABLISHED IN 1961, THE RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY IS NORTH AMERICA'S FOREMOST (CONT. ON SCHEDULE O) 16 16 0 1800 0 0 28674 21791 0 0 4 3 475569 491160 504247 512954 300 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 498486 521687 498786 521687 5461 -8733 181918 173185 0 0 181918 173185 ESTABLISHED IN 1961, THE RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY UNITES CONSERVATIONISTS TO IMPROVE WILDLIFE HABITAT AND FOREST HEALTH AND PROMOTE A CONSERVATION ETHIC, ALL GROUNDED IN THE TENETS OF SCIENCE-BASED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. 0 0 521344 RGS UNITES CONSERVATIONISTS TO IMPROVE WILDLIFE HABITAT AND FOREST HEALTH. SINCE 1961, RGS HAS PROMOTED STEWARDSHIP FOR OUR FORESTS, OUR WILDLIFE, AND OUR FUTURE. OUR VISION IS TO CREATE LANDSCAPES OF DIVERSE, FUNCTIONING FOREST ECOSYSTEMS THAT PROVIDE HOMES FOR WILDLIFE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE THEM. 521344 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 16 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 PA X KIM SWISHER 4122624044 100 HIGH TOWER BLVD PITTSBURGH PA 15205 JULIE SANDSTROM CHAIR 3.00 X X 0 0 0 SETH E DIZARD ESQ VICE CHAIR & SECRETARY 3.00 X X 0 0 0 BRIAN W SMITH PAST CHAIR 3.00 X X 0 0 0 JOSEPH LEHMANN TREASURER 3.00 X X 0 0 0 DAVID KURITZKY DIRECTOR 1.50 X 0 0 0 DAVID MOORE DIRECTOR 1.50 X 0 0 0 BRUCE A BENNETT DIRECTOR 1.50 X 0 0 0 GEORGE RICH DIRECTOR 1.50 X 0 0 0 ED SHUFORD DIRECTOR 1.50 X 0 0 0 JOSEPH M BYERS JR DIRECTOR 1.50 X 0 0 0 NELSON FREEMAN DIRECTOR 1.50 X 0 0 0 ROBERT UNKOVIC DIRECTOR 1.50 X 0 0 0 ROY SMITH DIRECTOR 1.50 X 0 0 0 BEN BRETTINGEN DIRECTOR 1.50 X 0 0 0 TRACY LEE DIRECTOR 1.50 X 0 0 0 W STEPHEN MARITZ DIRECTOR 1.50 X 0 0 0 BENJAMIN C JONES PRESIDENT AND CEO 50.00 X 0 235324 32716 KIMBERLY D SWISHER FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION D 40.00 X 0 97327 21484 KATHERINE K MCKALIP VP-COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING 40.00 X 0 121574 24357 0 454225 78557 0 0 1 0 0 21791 21791 3 3 860466 369860 490606 490606 1832 1278 554 554 512954 554 0 490609 PAYMENTS TO NATIONAL 513863 513863 HABITAT MANAGEMENT 6626 6626 DONATIONS 825 825 SERVICE CHARGES 343 343 30 30 521687 521344 343 0 181918 173185 181918 173185 0 0 X 181918 173185 181918 173185 181918 173185 -8733 0 X 0 0 0 X 22484 7606 12291 28674 21791 92846 300 2704 800 2238 1832 7874 517592 797308 1011014 945158 860466 4131538 540376 807618 1024105 976070 884089 4232258 0 0 0 4232258 6 4 5 4 3 22 6 4 5 4 3 22 540382 807622 1024110 976074 884092 4232280 1.00000 1.00000 0.00000 X 5665599 242215 613763 297503 6224074 5371025 28644 562930 297000 5665599 6589962 1415123 -1025374 1608686 5371025 6099685 265508 810684 585915 6589962 5904196 61350 678583 544444 6099685 1.00000 0 1 1 0 PART V, LINE 4: THE QUASI-ENDOWMENT FUND WAS SET UP SO THAT ALL PROCEEDS GENERATED FROM THE QUASI-ENDOWMENT WOULD BE USED TO FUND CONSERVATION STAFF SALARIES AND BENEFITS, AS WELL AS TO RESOLVE ANY FINANCIAL LIQUIDITY NEEDS OF THE RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY. BANQUET INCOME 860466 860466 369860 860466 860466 369860 369860 490606 1 X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 BENJAMIN C JONES PRESIDENT AND CEO 0 235324 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 32716 0 268040 0 0 FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B PDF COPIES ARE SENT TO EACH DIRECTOR FOR REVIEW. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 12C EACH DIRECTOR, PRINCIPAL OFFICER AND MEMBER OF A COMMITTEE WITH BOARD DELEGATED POWERS SHOULD ANNUALLY SIGN A STATEMENT WHICH AFFIRMS SUCH PERSON HAS RECEIVED A COPY OF THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS THE POLICY, HAS AGREED TO COMPLY WITH THE POLICY AND UNDERSTANDS RGS IS CHARITABLE AND IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN ITS FEDERAL TAX EXEMPTION IT MUST ENGAGE PRIMARILY IN ACTIVITIES WHICH ACCOMPLISH ONE OR MORE OF ITS TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSES. EACH VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD SHALL ANNUALLY SIGN A STATEMENT WHICH DECLARES WHETHER SUCH PERSON IS AN INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR. IF AT ANY TIME DURING THE YEAR, THE INFORMATION IN THE ANNUAL STATEMENT CHANGES MATERIALLY, THE DIRECTOR SHALL DISCLOSE SUCH CHANGES AND REVISE THE ANNUAL DISCLOSURE FORM. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL REGULARLY AND CONSISTENTLY MONITOR AND ENFORCE COMPLIANCE WITH THIS POLICY BY REVIEWING ANNUAL STATEMENTS AND TAKING SUCH OTHER ACTIONS AS NECESSARY FOR EFFECTIVE OVERSIGHT. PERIODIC REVIEWS SHALL BE CONDUCTED THAT AT A MINIMUM WILL INCLUDE WHETHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS AND BENEFITS ARE REASONABLE AS WELL AS WHETHER ANY PARTNERSHIPS, JOINT VENTURES, AND ARRANGEMENTS WITH MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONS CONFORM TO RGS'S WRITTEN POLICIES, ARE PROPERLY RECORDED, REFLECT REASONABLE INVESTMENT OR PAYMENTS FOR GOODS AND SERVICES, FURTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSES AND DO NOT RESULT IN INUREMENT OR IMPERMISSIBLE PRIVATE BENEFIT OR IN AN EXCESS BENEFIT TRANSACTION. WHEN CONDUCTING THE PERIODIC REVIEWS RGS MAY, BUT NEED NOT, USE OUTSIDE ADVISORS. IF OUTSIDE EXPERTS ARE USED, THEIR USE SHALL NOT RELIEVE THE BOARD OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENSURING PERIODIC REVIEWS ARE CONDUCTED. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 15A THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS REVIEWS SALARIES ANNUALLY, SALARY IS COMPARED TO NATIONAL SALARY SURVEY FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19 COPIES OF BYLAWS, ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE MAINTAINED AT OFFICES FOR INSPECTION AND MAILED TO REQUESTERS. FORM 990 - PART I - LINE 1 LANDOWNERS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO DEVELOP CRITICAL HABITAT UTILIZING SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. AT A TIME WHEN FORESTS ARE BEING INCREASINGLY RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROVIDING CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER, CLIMATE MITIGATION AND HOMES FOR WILDLIFE, FORESTS AND THE WILDLIFE THAT DEPEND ON THEM ARE FACING UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES. RGS EXISTS TO PROTECT, CONSERVE, AND ENHANCE HEALTHY FORESTS, ABUNDANT WILDLIFE AND A CONSERVATION ETHIC THROUGH SCIENCE-BASED FOREST AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC EDUCATION. DEVOTED TO CONSERVATION ETHICS, RUFFED GROUSE AND WOODCOCK HUNTERS ARE A UNIQUE GROUP WITH A PASSION FOR THE WAYS, HABITS AND CONSERVATION OF THESE BIRDS WHO ARE BELLWETHERS OF FOREST HEALTH. FROM ALASKA AND THE CANADIAN PROVINCES TO THE GULF OF MEXICO, OUR MEMBERS INCLUDE ALL MANNER OF CONSERVATIONISTS, HUNTERS AND NON-HUNTERS ALIKE, FOREST LANDOWNERS, FOREST AND WILDLIFE PROFESSIONALS, AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS. OUR EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES FOCUS ON CAMARADERIE, LEARNING, SHARING, AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS OF OUR ORGANIZATION. RSG MEMBERS AND STAFF EMBRACE OUR DUTY TO ENHANCE FOREST HABITAT AND WILDLIFE. THERE IS A SENSE OF FULFILLMENT WITH BEING INVOLVED IN AN ORGANIZATION THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN HABITAT AND WILDLIFE NATIONALLY AND LOCALLY. THE VALUE OF RGS TO MEMBERS: RGS SERVES ITS MEMBERS BY CREATING HEALTHY FOREST HABITAT FOR RUFFED GROUSE, AMERICAN WOODCOCK AND ALL FOREST WILDLIFE. RGS PRESERVES AND CHAMPIONS THE CONSERVATION ETHIC DESCRIBED BY FOREST AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION LEADERS LIKE GIFFORD PINCHOT AND ALDO LEOPOLD. RGS EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF SUSTAINABLE, SCIENCE-BASED FOREST MANAGEMENT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SUCH MANAGEMENT TO WILDLIFE. RGS PROVIDES MEMBERS WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAMARADERIE THROUGH VARIOUS EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES. RGS REPRESENTS MEMBER INTERESTS AT THE LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS. RGS ENCOURAGES YOUTH AND ALL WHO ARE NOT ENGAGED IN CONSERVATION TO BECOME INTERESTED IN HABITAT, WILDLIFE, CONSERVATION ETHICS AND INTRODUCES THEM TO THE HUNTING LIFESTYLE AND ITS ROLE IN CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF WILDLIFE. RGS PROVIDES MEMBERS WITH A COMMUNITY AND NETWORK OF CONSERVATION-MINDED INDIVIDUALS. RGS PROVIDES MEMBERS WITH ACCESS TO WILDLIFE AND FORESTRY PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE SOUGHT BY PUBLIC, PRIVATE, AND CORPORATE ENTITIES FOR THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE. RGS PROVIDES MEMBERS WITH AN AWARD-WINNING QUARTERLY MAGAZINE. RGS PROVIDES MEMBERS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT NEWSWORTHY EVENTS, IMPORTANT DECISIONS BEING MADE AT LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS, AND HOW AND WHERE THE RGS MISSION IS BEING ACCOMPLISHED. THE VALUE OF MEMBERS TO RGS: RGS MEMBERS ARE DEVOTED TO ADVANCING CONSERVATION ETHICS FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS. RGS MEMBERS HONOR AND PROMOTE CONSERVATION ETHICS IN FOREST AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT. RGS MEMBERS UNDERSTAND AND EMBRACE SCIENCE-BASED CONSERVATION INITIATIVES ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LAND, KNOWING THESE INITIATIVES BENEFIT ALL FOREST WILDLIFE IN ADDITION TO THE BELLWETHERS, RUFFED GROUSE AND AMERICAN WOODCOCK. RGS MEMBERS DEVOTE TIME, TALENT AND TREASURE TO SUSTAIN THE ORGANIZATION, EXPAND ITS MESSAGE AND PARTICIPATE IN ITS MISSION. RGS MEMBERS ARE OUR GREATEST ADVOCATES AND ACTIVELY INVITE OTHERS TO BECOME PART OF THE ORGANIZATION. WITHOUT THIS NETWORK OF MEMBERS AND MEMBER SUPPORT THERE IS NO ORGANIZATION. THE RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY 100 HIGH TOWER BLVD PITTSBURGH PA 15205 540846925 DEDICATED TO PROMOTING AND CREATING HEALTHY FORESTS AND WILDLIFE. PA 501(C)(3) LINE 10 N/A 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 THE RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY B 513863 FAIR MARKET VALUE