2026-05-13T12:55:10-07:00 2025-12-31 990 2025-01-01 810367205 NORTHERN PLAINS RESOURCE COUNCIL NORT 4062481154 220 S 27th St STE A Billings MT 59101 Margaret Gordon Executive Director 4062481154 2026-05-15 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Margaret Gordon 220 S 27th St STE A Billings MT 59101 2693692 0 9511 X www.northernplains.org X 1972 MT Northern Plains Resource Council organizes Montanans to protect our water, land, air, and working landscapes; support a healthy, localized, and sustainable economy; and build strong grassroots leaders, always considering the next generation. 26 26 30 130 0 0 1896495 2256983 278945 221147 164134 145167 47948 46236 2387522 2669533 0 0 0 0 1388726 1534659 0 0 176489 582700 680944 1971426 2215603 416096 453930 6806449 7598451 153265 150207 6653184 7448244 Northern Plains believes people working together can make a difference. Our mission is to organize Montanans to protect our water, land, air, and working landscapes; support a healthy, localized, and sustainable economy in farm and ranch country and in our towns; and build strong grassroots leaders, always considering the next generation. 0 0 372971 0 0 Clean Energy: We worked to expand access to clean energy and protect Montanans from rising utility costs. We moved Community Solar legislation through the legislature with bipartisan support. We hosted an online training for rural electric co-op members to help them advocate for transparency and renewable energy options within their local co-ops. We intervened in NorthWestern Energy's rate case to prevent the corporation from overcharging ratepayers. We began organizing Montanans who would be impacted by proposed data centers on the impact those developments can have on local resources and infrastructure. 266904 0 0 Coal: We worked to protect agricultural livelihoods and water resources in Montana's coal country by ensuring state and federal agencies uphold rigorous environmental standards. In response to federal approval of expanded mining modifications in the Bull Mountains that side-stepped public input, we partnered with local ranchers to implement real-time groundwater monitoring in residential areas. We challenged the MT Dept of Environmental Quality's practice of approving over 300 mining permit modifications without providing for public input. 247265 0 0 Oil & Gas: We worked to protect rangelands in eastern Montana by working with residents in Carter County to successfully push the Federal Bureau of Land Management to pause a large-scale carbon sequestration project and ensure that thorough environmental reviews are performed to protect vital groundwater and prairie ecosystems. We continued to hold energy facilities accountable to established air quality standards and zoning regulations. We also advocated for the reclamation of orphaned oil wells to restore land and air impacted by abandoned oil and gas development. 944050 0 0 Agriculture: We fought for fair market practices and transparent labeling to support Montana's independent ranching families. We successfully supported state legislation for local food procurement and collected over 1,000 signatures to advance livestock market protections and mandatory Country-of-Origin-Labeling (COOL). Healthy Soils: We grew our statewide network of land stewards through the second annual Montana Soil Health Week events and a hands-on Soil Crawl near Lavina. These events brought producers together with experts to find practical ways to improve soil health and land productivity. Good Neighbor Agreement: We maintained a legally binding oversight agreement with the Sibanye-Stillwater Mining Company to safeguard water quality. We celebrated the 25th anniversary of the agreement with the release of a book documenting the history of collaboration. We secured a commitment from the Sibanye-Stillwater Mining Company to increase financial bonding to ensure water quality standards are met throughout mining operations and long-term reclamation. Community cohesion and cultural learning: We focused on building social cohesion by supporting our partners at Western Native Voice in their successful efforts to establish Indigenous Peoples Day in Montana. We continued our Lessons from Indigenous Organizing series featuring native land stewards sharing strategies for relationship-based agriculture. Protecting Montana's Constitution: We hosted a roadshow in partnership with Upper Seven Law designed to educate the public on the importance on an independent, non-partisan judiciary and defending our constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. 944050 0 0 1831190 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 0 1 30 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 26 26 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 X X Margaret Gordon 4062481154 220 S 27th St STE A Billings MT 59101 X Margaret Gordon Executive Director 40 0 X 103190 0 0 Jeanie Alderson At-Large Representative 2 0 X 0 0 0 Kristin Aus Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Sue Beug Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Steve Charter Affiliate Representative 3 0 X 0 0 0 Diann DeRosier Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Charlie French Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Barbara Gulick Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Linda Iverson Affiliate Representative 8 0 X 0 0 0 George Kelly Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Jasmine Krotkov Affiliate Representative 2 0 X 0 0 0 Kyran Kunkel At-Large Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Craig McClure At Large Representative 3 0 X 0 0 0 Clint McRae Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Peter Mickelsen Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Jane Moses Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Deb Muth Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Kirk Panasuk At Large Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Barbara Ulrich O'Grady Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Eleanor Wend Affiliate Representative 1 0 X 0 0 0 Gordon Whirry Affiliate Representative 7 0 X 0 0 0 Norane Freistadt Chair of the Board 6.5 0 X 0 0 0 Kristine Glenn Vice Chair 3 0 X 0 0 0 Roxa Reller Secretary 3 0 X 0 0 0 Scott Hancock Treasurer 3 0 X 0 0 0 Tom Tschida Assistant Secretary 3 0 X 0 0 0 Joan Kresich Assistant Treasurer 3 0 X 0 0 0 Edward Barta Past Chair 4 0 X 0 0 0 103190 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 424684 4055 0 0 1828244 90819 2256983 Meeting and Training Fees 541990 1423 1423 0 0 Consulting 541990 3000 3000 0 0 Building Share 900099 60500 0 0 60500 Reimbursements 900099 156224 156224 0 0 0 0 0 0 221147 145087 145087 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21826 1500 22147 1099 -321 401 80 -321 0 401 36810 4055 573 36237 0 36237 0 0 0 0 0 0 1264 340 924 924 0 0 9075 0 0 9075 9075 2669533 306337 0 106213 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 103190 87790 9317 6083 0 0 0 0 1169511 1011569 95593 62349 69403 59197 6175 4031 91637 78879 7719 5039 100918 87257 8268 5393 0 0 0 0 3168 1141 1982 45 13350 0 13350 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7069 0 7069 0 77856 46976 2300 28580 14562 1101 13429 32 173332 122205 9694 41433 17428 15129 1391 908 0 0 0 0 94954 81377 8281 5296 37439 32279 1684 3476 0 0 0 0 91100 74779 7573 8748 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 29130 24882 2570 1678 6540 0 6540 0 Public Outreach Events 40286 40257 0 29 Lobbying 19365 19365 0 0 Hospitality & Misc 7730 6481 688 561 HOTR Asset Transfer 47635 40526 4301 2808 2215603 1831190 207924 176489 287156 249215 3737111 4014925 0 0 34100 17119 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20916 15174 988049 513614 462661 474435 2264505 2827583 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6806449 7598451 45305 39122 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 107960 111085 153265 150207 X 6087290 6798094 565894 650150 6653184 7448244 6806449 7598451 453930 341130 0 0 0 0 X 1 X 1 X 1 0 X 1435535 1462714 2854915 1896495 2256983 9906642 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1435535 1462714 2854915 1896495 2256983 9906642 0 9906642 40463 45671 79253 163959 145087 474433 0 0 0 0 0 0 28886 0 0 2575 45914 77375 10458450 267382 0.94724 0.93108 X Schedule A, Part II, Line 10 Other income includes net gain or loss on sales of securities, net event revenue, net revenue from sales of inventory, and redemption of credit card reward points. RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 7059 73641 80700 2141963 2222663 261133 65283 0 0 233949 239607 248785 261133 983474 1475211 4211 49522 5816 80700 140249 58487 59902 62196 65283 245868 368802 0 1500 258 7059 8817 4220413 239311 431007 0 26713 7069 4856949 3845931 45139 349643 0 17880 2420 4220413 2428900 1310461 157868 0 50316 982 3845931 2380128 178174 -112803 0 15604 95 2429800 2129268 12680 148300 0 0 120 2290128 0.477 0.109 0.414 0 0 0 13318 13318 0 781704 354762 426942 0 0 0 0 0 82941 72390 10551 0 110086 86462 23624 474435 0 Payroll Liabilities 110381 Deferred Gift Annuities Payable 704 111085 3011905 341131 0 0 0 341131 2670774 -328 -913 -1241 2669533 2216844 0 0 0 0 0 2216844 -328 -913 -1241 2215603 Schedule D, Part V, Line 4 Our endowment serves to diversify and stabilize our base of self-support in order to sustain the autonomy and independence of our organization, increase our financial self-sufficiency, ensure continued operations, meet future needs and challenges, and amplify our programmatic impact. Our endowment is invested in a fiscally prudent and socially responsible manner to ensure that our investment activities complement our program work. Schedule D, Part XI, Line 4b Fundraising event expenses and merchandise purchases are reported net of income on this form 990 but reported with expenses on our audited financial statements. Schedule D, Part XII, Line 4b Fundraising event expenses and merchandise purchases are reported net of income on this form 990 but reported with expenses on our audited financial statements. Annual Meeting 30228 4055 26173 0 0 0 0 0 257 Online Auction 10637 0 10637 0 0 0 0 0 519 0 40865 4055 36810 0 0 0 0 0 776 776 36034 X 4 21819 FMV Date of Transfer X 19 KW Solar Array 1 69000 Invoice amount from solar installer 0 0 1 0 Schedule M, Part I, Line 33 All securities transfers are handled by qualified investment firms. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 6 We are a democratically-operated membership organization composed primarily of members who donate their time and resources to the organization for the purpose of directing and fulfilling program goals. We do not have stockholders or different classes of membership. All members in good standing are eligible to vote for officers and at-large board members annually. All members present at the Annual Meeting can introduce and vote on policy resolutions. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The form 990 is prepared by the Director of Finance and Administration, reviewed and edited by the Executive Director and Director of Fundraising, reviewed by the Organization and Finance Task Force, and distributed to the Board of Directors for final review. Upon review by the Board of Directors, the form 990 is posted on our website. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c Each board member is guided through an orientation process that addresses organizational processes and policies. The Board of Directors reviews and updates organizational policies and governing documents, including the Conflict of Interest policy, from time to time. We maintain an online portal for our Board of Directors that includes all relevant policies and program documents they need to fulfill their role on the board. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15 All members of the Organization and Finance Task Force are asked to complete a written evaluation of the Executive Director annually. The Chair of the Board and the Chair of the O&F Task Force hold a meeting with the Executive Director to conduct a performance evaluation and determine a salary adjustment. The Executive Director determines salary adjustments for management staff within the framework of the board-approved compensation philosophy and salary structure. Salaries for members of the bargaining unit are subject to contractual negotiation with the Teamsters Local 190. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 Financial statements are reviewed at every board meeting and at our annual meeting. Any member in good standing may request financial statements, governing documents, or our conflict of interest policy; we normally do not furnish this information to the general public. Our 990 filings for the last three years are made available to the general public on our website. Governing documents subject to public inspection are made available upon request.