Vital Ground Foundation Inc

Organization Overview

Vital Ground Foundation Inc is located in Missoula, MT. The organization was established in 1992. According to its NTEE Classification (C99) the organization is classified as: Environment N.E.C., under the broad grouping of Environment and related organizations. As of 12/2021, Vital Ground Foundation Inc employed 9 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Vital Ground Foundation Inc is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.

For the year ending 12/2021, Vital Ground Foundation Inc generated $7.5m in total revenue. This organization has experienced exceptional growth, as over the past 7 years, it has increased revenue by an average of 27.2% each year . All expenses for the organization totaled $3.5m during the year ending 12/2021. While expenses have increased by 22.2% per year over the past 7 years. They've been increasing with an increasing level of total revenue. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.

Since 2015, Vital Ground Foundation Inc has awarded 28 individual grants totaling $236,555. If you would like to learn more about the grant giving history of this organization, scroll down to the grant profile section of this page.

Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing

TAX YEAR

2021

Describe the Organization's Mission:

Part 3 - Line 1

PROTECT AND RESTORE NORTH AMERICA'S GRIZZLY BEAR POPULATIONS BY CONSERVING WILDLIFE HABITAT.

Describe the Organization's Program Activity:

Part 3 - Line 4a

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. 2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:CONSERVATION EASEMENTS: - ACQUIRED ONE CONSERVATION EASEMENT IN IDAHO TOTALING 1,040 ACRES AND ONE CONSERVATION EASEMENT IN MONTANA TOTALING 98 ACRES TO PROTECT KEY LINKAGE AREAS BETWEEN THE NORTHERN CONTINENTAL DIVIDE, CABINET-YAAK AND SELKIRK GRIZZLY BEAR RECOVERY AREAS.- MONITORED 19 CONSERVATION EASEMENTS HELD BY VITAL GROUND IN MONTANA, TWO 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 FOUR PROPERTIES TOTALING 574 ACRES IN FEE-TITLE IN MONTANA TO PROTECT THEIR WILDLIFE HABITAT AND SCENIC VALUES, AND TO SPECIFICALLY CONSERVE KEY GRIZZLY BEAR HABITAT LINKAGE BETWEEN THE SELKIRK, PURCELL AND CABINET-YAAK ECOSYSTEMS.- ASSISTED THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE WITH THE ACQUISITION OF TEN ACRES OF GRIZZLY BEAR HABITAT ALONG THE DESIGNATED SCENIC NORTH FORK OF THE FLATHEAD RIVER ADJACENT TO GLACIER NATIONAL PARK.- 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 FIVE 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.


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. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR 2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS. 2021 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 2021, THE WEBSITE EXPERIENCED 118,000 UNIQUE VISITORS AND 138,000 SESSIONS.- PRODUCED TWO NEW VIDEOS AND GREW VITAL GROUND'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO 24,900 SUBSCRIBERS. - PROMOTED WILDLIFE HABITAT, GRIZZLY BEAR NATURAL HISTORY AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION TOPICS TO A SOCIAL MEDIA AUDIENCE OF MORE THAN 90,000.


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. 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.THROUGH ITS 2021 CONSERVATION PARTNERS GRANT PROGRAM, VITAL GROUND AWARDED $63,000 IN SMALL GRANTS TO 17 LOCAL COMMUNITIES, ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES WORKING TO PREVENT CONFLICTS BETWEEN BEARS AND PEOPLE IN 13 HIGH PRIORITY LANDSCAPES. THESE INVESTMENTS HELPED:- PERMANENTLY PROTECT 772 ACRES OF PRIORITY PRIVATE LANDS IDENTIFIED IN VITAL GROUND'S ONE LANDSCAPE INITIATIVE NEAR GLACIER NATIONAL PARK.- CONSTRUCT ELECTRIC FENCING AROUND VARIOUS AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS.- GLEAN 22,268 POUNDS OF FRUIT THAT WOULD OTHERWISE ATTRACT WILDLIFE INTO PROXIMITY WITH PEOPLE.- PURCHASE 120 CANS OF BEAR SPRAY AND 95 SPRAY HOLSTERS AND 10 WILDLIFE SENSORS FOR COMMUNITY USE.- PROVIDE OUTREACH AND EDUCATION TO 35,042 PEOPLE DURING 96 EVENTS.- COMPOST 178 LIVESTOCK CARCASSES.- RESPOND TO 73 CONFLICTS WITH KARELIAN BEAR DOGS.- LOAN OUT 9 BEAR-RESISTANT GARBAGE CANS.- SUPPORT RANGE RIDERS ON MONTANA'S ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT COVERING 34,000 ACRES ON FIVE RANCHES.- PROTECT 26,000 ACRES FROM LIVESTOCK-BEAR CONFLICTS ON THE BLACKFEET RESERVATION IN MONTANA.


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Board, Officers & Key Employees

Name (title)Compensation
Ryan Lutey
Executive Director
$140,900
Wally Becky
Vice Chairman
$0
Tim Polich
Treasurer
$0
Kelly Johnson
Chairman
$0
Sou Barrett
Secretary
$0
Doug Chadwick
Trustee
$0

Financial Statements

Statement of Revenue
Federated campaigns$0
Membership dues$86,504
Fundraising events$0
Related organizations$0
Government grants $216,564
All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above$7,228,698
Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f $1,568,091
Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar$7,531,766
Total Program Service Revenue$0
Investment income $1,200
Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds $0
Royalties $0
Net Rental Income $5,826
Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales -$134
Net Income from Fundraising Events -$250
Net Income from Gaming Activities $0
Net Income from Sales of Inventory $5,688
Miscellaneous Revenue$0
Total Revenue $7,544,506

Grants Awarded

Over the last fiscal year, Vital Ground Foundation Inc has awarded $21,500 in support to 2 organizations.

Grant RecipientAmount

PIIKANI LODGE HEALTH INSTITUTE

Org PageRecipient Profile

Browning, MT

PURPOSE: CHIEF MTN. GRAZING ALLOTMENT

$14,000

BLACKFEET NATION STOCKGROWERS

Org PageRecipient Profile

Browning, MT

PURPOSE: ELECTRIC FENCE

$7,500
View Grant Profile

Grants Recieved

Over the last fiscal year, we have identified 32 grants that Vital Ground Foundation Inc has recieved totaling $3,324,762.

Awarding OrganizationAmount
The Humane Society Wildlife Land Tr

Washington, DC

PURPOSE: TO purchase 315 acres of grizzly bear and wolf habitat along the Yaak River in northern Montana to create a permanent wildlife sanctuary

$1,015,000
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc

Indianapolis, IN

PURPOSE: UNRESTRICTED GENERAL SUPPORT

$853,891
Tull Fam Foundation

Chicago, IL

PURPOSE: WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

$655,000
M J Murdock Charitable Trust

Vancouver, WA

PURPOSE: CONSERVATION EASEMENT PURCHASE

$244,000
Heart Of The Rockies Foundation

Missoula, MT

PURPOSE: PROTECT LANDS OF HIGH CONSERV VALUE

$123,000
Birmingham Foundation

Loveland, CO

PURPOSE: OPERATING FUNDS

$100,000
View Grant Recipient Profile

Endowment Analysis

Beg. Balance$130,277
Earnings$40,254
Admin Expense$7,996
Net Contributions$34,184
Ending Balance$196,719

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