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Swan Valley Connections

Learn about this cause: What are the reviews? Is it Legit? Do I like the mission? What is the CEO's salary?

EIN: 810512368 ✦ Condon, MT ✦ Designated as a 501(c)(3)

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Overview

What is Swan Valley Connections?

Swan Valley Connections (SVC) is a nonprofit organization based in Condon, Montana, dedicated to the stewardship and restoration of the Swan Valley's unique natural resources. They collaborate with various government agencies and landowners to provide forest health assessments and technical assistance, focusing on reducing wildfire risks through forest fuels thinning, managing tree beetle infestations, and monitoring tree disease outbreaks. SVC also offers guidance on controlling invasive and non-native plant species to maintain ecosystem integrity. The organization's efforts extend to wetland conservation and restoration, partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to enhance existing wetland habitats and restore degraded ones. Projects aimed at the recovery of focal species like bull trout, trumpeter swans, and grizzly bears have been initiated, with the largest wetland restoration project in Montana's history, restoring 609 acres of wetlands on the Swan River National Wildlife Refuge, completed in 2022. SVC's mission also encompasses education, economic viability, and conservation on public and private lands, ensuring a vibrant human community can coexist with the Valley's natural resources. In 2022, they served 307 landowners, evaluated or improved 3,346 acres of private property through their programs. With a team of 14 dedicated employees, Swan Valley Connections continues to make significant strides in preserving the Swan Valley's natural beauty and fostering a sustainable community.


Official website here: www.swanvalleyconnections.org

What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?

Charity Navigator Rating: 81% (Three-Star out of Four Stars)

Swan Valley Connections has received an 81% rating from Charity Navigator, which signifies a strong performance in terms of accountability and finance. This rating is derived entirely from their accountability and finance score, reflecting the organization's commitment to transparency and sound financial practices. The charity has demonstrated robust governance, with 92% of its board members being independent.

One of the organization's notable strengths is its excellent handling of financial responsibilities, highlighted by a high program expense ratio of 80.87%, indicating a significant portion of funds directed towards its programs rather than administrative costs. Furthermore, there are no reported material diversions of assets, showcasing financial integrity and adherence to policies designed to protect the organization's resources.

While the overall rating is positive, it is essential to consider that the score is based solely on the Accountability & Finance beacon. This focus on financial metrics may not fully encompass all aspects of the organization’s impact or effectiveness in its programmatic areas, which could be an area for further exploration for potential donors or supporters.


This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator.

Is Swan Valley Connections legitimate?

Swan Valley Connections is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. Swan Valley Connections submitted a form 990, which is a tax form used by tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., indicating its operational transparency and adherence to regulatory requirements. Donations to this organization are tax deductible.


Heare are some key statistics you may want to consider:

Executive Compensation: $73,475
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $379,401

For more financial information, click here


Official website here: www.swanvalleyconnections.org

What is the mission statement of Swan Valley Connections?

Swan Valley Connections is dedicated to preserving the unique natural resources of an unnamed region, ensuring a sustainable human community, through stewardship, education, economic viability, and conservation on both public and private lands. The organization provides forest health assessments and technical assistance to private landowners, assisting them in reducing wildfire risks and managing insect infestations. Additionally, Swan Valley Connections works on restoring wetland habitats, focusing on the recovery of rare and endangered species such as bull trout, trumpeter swans, and grizzly bears. The organization's projects, including the restoration of wetlands, have resulted in significant milestones, such as the successful nesting of trumpeter swans after over a century. In 2022, the organization served 307 landowners and improved 3,346 acres of private property through its programs.


Official website here: www.swanvalleyconnections.org

Who is the CEO of Swan Valley Connections?

Rebecca L Ramsey is the Director of Swan Valley Connections.


Official website here: www.swanvalleyconnections.org

What is the revenue of Swan Valley Connections?

Swan Valley Connections's revenue in 2022 was $1,572,764.


Official website here: www.swanvalleyconnections.org

Who are the executives of Swan Valley Connections and what are their salaries?

The average compensation at Swan Valley Connections during 2022 was $32,348. There are 14 employees and 80 volunteers at Swan Valley Connections.


Here are 13 key members and their salaries:


Casey Ryan (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Christian Wohlfeil (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Dan Stone (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Donn Lassila (Treasurer)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Greg Tollefson (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Jessy Stevenson (Vice-Chair/Secretary)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Kathy Demaster (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Mary Shaw (Chair)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Rachel Feigley (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Steve Kloetzel (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Tina Zenzola (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Zoe Leake (Director)
  • Compensation: $0
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $0
Rebecca Ramsey (Executive Director)
  • Compensation: $67,967
  • Related: $0
  • Other: $5,508


Official website here: www.swanvalleyconnections.org

Where can I find the form 990 for Swan Valley Connections?

Swan Valley Connections's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.


Official website here: www.swanvalleyconnections.org

Learn more at the official website: www.swanvalleyconnections.org

Mission Statement of Swan Valley Connections

Swan Valley Connections, a non-profit organization, focuses on maintaining the unique natural resources of its area while ensuring a vibrant human community can sustain itself. Through stewardship, education, economic viability, and conservation, the organization aims to protect the ecosystem on public and private lands.

In practical terms, Swan Valley Connections works closely with landowners in the area, providing forest health and stewardship assessments to 238 private landowners in 2022. They offer technical assistance to reduce wildfire risks, manage tree beetle infestations, and monitor tree disease outbreaks. Additionally, they provide forest stewardship cost-share grants to selected landowners, treating 146 acres in 2022.

Moreover, Swan Valley Connections is dedicated to preserving the ecosystem's integrity by addressing the encroachment of noxious and non-native plant species. They offer advice to landowners on effective treatment methods for weed infestations on their property. The organization's efforts extend to the Swan Valley's abundant wetlands, home to several rare and endangered species. In partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Swan Valley Connections enhances existing wetland habitats and restores degraded wetlands throughout the valley. Projects are targeted towards the recovery of focal species like bull trout, trumpeter swans, and grizzly bears.

In 2022, Swan Valley Connections and its partners restored 639 acres of wetlands, marking significant progress in the conservation of the Swan Valley's unique ecosystem. The organization's efforts have shown promising results, with the first successful nesting pair of trumpeter swans in over 100 years documented in the upper Swan Valley in 2019. In 2022, two more successful nesting pairs were recorded, producing five cygnets that survived until the fall migration.

In summary, Swan Valley Connections is a proactive organization that works tirelessly to protect and conserve the unique natural resources of its area. Through stewardship, education, economic viability, and conservation, it ensures that both the ecosystem and the human community can thrive sustainably.

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Impact




June, 2024

Swan Valley Connections' impact can be seen in its efforts towards ecosystem management and education in the Swan Valley. Through stewardship and restoration initiatives, SVC has assisted numerous private landowners in the area to enhance forest health and implement stewardship practices. By working with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, SVC has facilitated the evaluation and improvement of over 3,000 acres of forest land at risk from various threats like wildfire, tree diseases, and insect infestations.

Additionally, SVC has played a vital role in mitigating the encroachment of noxious and non-native plant species, thus contributing to the maintenance of ecosystem integrity in the Swan Valley. The organization has also partnered with agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to enhance wetland habitats and restore degraded wetlands, benefiting rare and endangered species such as bull trout, trumpeter swans, and grizzly bears.

Notably, SVC's work in wetland restoration has yielded significant results, with over 600 acres of wetlands restored in 2022 alone. These efforts have helped create essential nesting and foraging habitats for species like trumpeter swans, with documented successes in breeding pairs in the area.

Overall, Swan Valley Connections' impact can be seen in the tangible improvements made to private lands, wetland habitats, and the overall ecosystem health of the Swan Valley. Through their programs and partnerships, SVC is contributing to the conservation and sustainability of this unique natural environment while fostering a vibrant human community that values and protects its resources.




This information is meant to be a general summary of Swan Valley Connections. Please take the time to review official sources before making any decisions based upon the content provided here.


Financials

This financial information is from Propublica.

Revenue
$1,572,764 (2022)
Expenses
$1,528,234 (2022)
Efficiency

Other financial information:

This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.

  • Investment Income: $7,834
  • Program Service Revenue: $120,068
  • Gross Receipts: $1,626,696

Assets and Liabilities:

  • Total Assets: $1,182,507
  • Total Liabilities: $166,151
  • Net Assets: $1,016,356

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Programs

Programs are reported by nonprofits in their tax forms and are normally their tax-exempt activities.

TUITION AND FEES - OTH

Revenue

$72,497

STEWARDSHIP & RESTORAT

Revenue

$44,681

BEAR RESISTANT CONTAIN

Revenue

$2,085

ELK CREEK & SWAN LEGAC

Revenue

$530

CONSERVATION

Revenue

$275

Organization Details

Founding Year

1996

Principal Officer

Rebecca L Ramsey

Main Address

6887 HIGHWAY 83, CONDON, MT, 59826

NTEE Category

Code: C30 - Environment

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