2026-07-16T09:48:42-05:00 2025-12-31 810348775 JUNKERMIERCLARKCAMPANELLASTEVENS PC 321 W BROADWAY 4TH FLOOR MISSOULA MT 59802 990 2025-01-01 870483446 THE VITAL GROUND FOUNDATION INC VITA 4065498650 30 FORT MISSOULA ROAD MISSOULA MT 598047211 RYAN LUTEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 4065498650 2026-07-10 1 GREGORY PECK P00668992 4065494148 2026-07-10 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z RYAN LUTEY 30 FORT MISSOULA ROAD MISSOULA MT 598047211 10627287 0 X WWW.VITALGROUND.ORG X 1990 UT PROTECT AND RESTORE NORTH AMERICA'S GRIZZLY BEAR POPULATIONS BY CONSERVING WILDLIFE HABITAT. 15 15 12 15 2800 0 4424173 9594366 0 0 573600 621824 69785 2548 5067558 10218738 70400 79699 0 0 1056411 1237584 0 0 362956 1243439 5886437 2370250 7203720 2697308 3015018 24380269 27743389 109249 99634 24271020 27643755 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 5535054 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.2025 ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:CONSERVATION EASEMENTS - ACQUIRED FOUR CONSERVATION EASEMENTS IN MONTANA TOTALING 5,220 ACRES TO PROTECT HIGHLY THREATENED GRIZZLY BEAR HABITAT WITHIN AND BETWEEN THE NORTHERN CONTINENTAL DIVIDE, CABINET-YAAK AND BITTERROOT GRIZZLY BEAR RECOVERY AREAS.- MONITORED 23 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 50 ACRES IN FEE-TITLE IN MONTANA TO PROTECT WILDLIFE HABITAT AND SCENIC VALUES, AND TO SPECIFICALLY CONSERVE KEY GRIZZLY BEAR LINKAGE HABITAT AT THE SOUTHERN END OF THE NORTHERN CONTINENTAL DIVIDE ECOSYSTEM.- ACQUIRED ONE PROPERTY TOTALING 200 ACRES IN FEE-TITLE IN IDAHO TO PROTECT WILDLIFE HABITAT, AND TO SPECIFICALLY CONSERVE KEY GRIZZLY BEAR HABITAT IN THE SELKIRK ECOSYSTEM.- 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. 799400 4699 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. 2025 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 11,000 UNIQUE RECIPIENTS (430,239 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 1-2 TIMES PER MONTH (18 TOTAL POSTS IN 2025), 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 99,881 USERS AND 121,552 SESSIONS DURING 2025.- PRODUCED DAILY FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM UPDATES PROMOTING WILDLIFE HABITAT PROTECTION, GRIZZLY BEAR NATURAL HISTORY AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION TOPICS TO AN AUDIENCE OF OVER 55,000 FOLLOWERS ON FACEBOOK (UP 5 PERCENT IN 2025) AND 10,000 FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM (UP 10 PERCENT IN 2025). PRODUCED THREE NEW VIDEOS AND GREW VITAL GROUND'S YOUTUBE AUDIENCE TO A TOTAL OF 28,400 SUBSCRIBERS. 75000 75000 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 2025 CONSERVATION PARTNERS PROGRAM, VITAL GROUND AWARDED $75,000 IN SMALL GRANTS TO 17 COMMUNITIES, ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES WORKING TO PREVENT CONFLICTS BETWEEN BEARS AND PEOPLE IN 16 HIGH PRIORITY LANDSCAPES. THESE INVESTMENTS HELPED:- INSTALL 25 ELECTRIC FENCES AROUND A TRACK FIELD, FRUIT ORCHARDS, CALVING PASTURES, GOAT PASTURE, AND CHICKEN COOPS.- PROTECT 28,000 ACRES BY RETIRING A FEDERAL GRAZING ALLOTMENT- REACH 86,000 PEOPLE AT EDUCATION AND OUTREACH EVENTS- MONITOR 7,000 ACRES THROUGH RANGE RIDING ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE STATE- SECURE WILDLIFE ATTRACTANTS IN FIVE PUBLIC CAMPGROUNDS - GLEAN 225 POUNDS OF FRUIT THAT COULD OTHERWISE ATTRACT BEARS INTO PROXIMITY OF HUMANS- DEPLOY 33 BEAR RESISTANT TRASH CANS - REMOVE 500 DOMESTIC LIVESTOCK CARCASSES FROM HIGH CONFLICT AREAS- PURCHASE TWO DRONES FOR STATE AGENCY USE IN MANAGING BEARS - REFURBISH TWO GRIZZLY BEAR TRACKING COLLARS- PURCHASE 5,000 PIECES OF EDUCATION AND OUTREACH MATERIAL TO DISTRIBUTE TO THE PUBLICPROACTIVE 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. 6409454 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 34 0 1 12 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 15 15 1 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 AK OK X X THE ORGANIZATION 4065498650 30 FORT MISSOULA ROAD MISSOULA MT 598047211 KEN HICK CHAIR 15.00 X X 0 0 0 MATTHEW DUSEK VICE CHAIR 4.00 X X 0 0 0 THERESA YOUNG SECRETARY 5.00 X X 0 0 0 TIM POLICH TREASURER 9.00 X X 0 0 0 DALE BECKER TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 DOUGLAS CHADWICK TRUSTEE 5.00 X 0 0 0 SCOTT BIRMINGHAM TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 THOMAS FEY TRUSTEE 2.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN HECHTEL TRUSTEE 3.00 X 0 0 0 JO LOWE TRUSTEE 2.00 X 0 0 0 MAUREEN MAYER TRUSTEE 2.00 X 0 0 0 MEGGEN ARTHUR-WILSON TRUSTEE 1.00 X 0 0 0 CHERI COOLEY-HICK TRUSTEE 10.00 X 0 0 0 DANIELLE FEIDLER TRUSTEE 2.00 X 0 0 0 SOU BARRETT TRUSTEE 4.00 X 0 0 0 RYAN LUTEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40.00 X 206850 0 27373 SHANNON DRYE EMPLOYEE 40.00 X 116550 0 8159 KIMBERLY DAVITT EMPLOYEE 40.00 X 110550 0 14159 433950 0 49691 3 0 1 0 0 146206 724928 62260 8660972 3028320 9594366 621353 621353 28465 0 28465 28465 28465 235638 235167 471 471 471 137019 724928 170496 -33477 -33477 7456 2886 4570 4570 BUSINESS SPONSORSHIPS 900099 2800 2800 OTHER REVENUE 900099 190 190 2990 10218738 190 2800 621382 79699 79699 234223 153075 35972 45176 836710 546825 128503 161382 58662 38816 8744 11102 8464 5590 1267 1607 99525 65686 14929 18910 23353 23353 31016 31016 253427 248697 527 4203 100188 99600 588 260126 204897 19950 35279 36009 18555 8727 8727 46866 19276 3114 24476 9307 9307 20887 17571 2854 462 CONSERVATION EASEMENT A 4896035 4779006 117029 DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 66908 20646 17973 28289 MAILING LIST RENTAL 33537 25153 8384 LICENSES AND TAXES 29699 21350 8349 79079 41659 22461 14959 7203720 6409454 431310 362956 3539961 4221379 5209030 5332627 20000 12409 16524 5091 8073 13927512 45097 12091718 13882415 3464469 4242697 57591 19674 24380269 27743389 88838 91703 20411 7931 109249 99634 X 10094007 11161160 14177013 16482595 24271020 27643755 24380269 27743389 3015018 357717 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 7531766 5390522 6329416 4426943 9594366 33273013 7531766 5390522 6329416 4426943 9594366 33273013 1660664 31612349 7026 106822 336697 573405 649818 1673768 2800 2800 14924 19231 46703 7646 88504 35038085 174794 0.90220 0.88390 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED X X 32 9474.00 2 1 286.00 3650 221684 36732 258416 192972 28712 221684 168665 24307 192972 196719 -28054 168665 130277 34184 40254 7996 196719 0.66520 0.33480 0.00000 0 0 13861385 13861385 37778 27002 10776 28349 18095 10254 13882415 SPLIT INTEREST AGREEMENT 7931 7931 10778659 357717 73051 129153 559921 10218738 0 10218738 7405924 73051 129153 202204 7203720 0 7203720 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: FR EXPENDITURES PERTAINING TO DONATED GOODS 129,153. PART XII, LINE 2D - OTHER ADJUSTMENTS: FR EXPENDITURES PERTAINING TO DONATED GOODS 129,153. 35TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT 861947 724928 137019 170496 861947 724928 137019 170496 170496 -33477 0 MONTANA FISH WILDLIFE AND PARKS PO BOX 200701 HELENA MT 59620 810302402 N/A 10699 0 $5,000 GRANT - SECURING STORE GRAIN ON PRIVATE LANDS$5,699 GRANT - DRONE PURCHASE FOR BEAR CONFLICT MANAGEMENT NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION 970 WYOMING STREET MISSOULA MT 59801 530204616 501(C)(3) 10000 0 RETIRE THE BADGER TWO MEDICINE GRAZING ALLOTMENT 2 X X X X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 RYAN LUTEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 206850 0 0 0 0 0 15288 0 12085 0 234223 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 6 235167 FAIR MARKET VALUE X 4 2664001 APPRAISAL X AUCTION ITEMS 1 129153 FAIR MARKET VALUE 0 1 0 PART I, COLUMN (B): WE ARE COUNTING AUCTION ITEMS IN BULK PER EVENT. ONE EVENT WAS HELD IN THE CURRENT YEAR FROM WHICH THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED AUCTIONABLE ITEMS. FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION A, LINE 2 KEN HICK AND CHERI COOLEY-HICK ARE MARRIED. 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.