Overview
What is The Vital Ground Foundation Inc?
The Vital Ground Foundation Inc is a nonprofit organization based in Missoula, Montana, dedicated to safeguarding essential grizzly bear habitat on private lands. They achieve this through various means, including acquiring conservation easements, purchasing land in fee title, or granting funds to other organizations to help conserve and restore wildlife habitats. The foundation monitors the lands under its conservation easements and manages its owned properties to provide optimal habitat for grizzly bears and other wildlife. In 2022, the organization protected over 300 acres of threatened grizzly bear habitat in Montana, acquired a 148-acre property in Idaho, and continued promoting community-based programs to prevent conflicts between bears and people. With a team of nine employees, the Vital Ground Foundation is committed to the long-term survival of North America's grizzly bear populations and the native species that coexist with them.
Official website here: www.vitalground.org
What are the reviews and ratings of this charity?
Charity Navigator Rating 100% - Four-Star out of Four Star Rating
The Vital Ground Foundation has achieved a perfect score from Charity Navigator, highlighting its exceptional accountability and financial management. With a focus on protecting vital habitats for grizzly bears, the organization demonstrates strong governance, including a fully independent board and robust financial oversight. Its program expenses represent over 86% of total expenses, reflecting a commitment to its mission rather than administrative costs.
User reviews consistently praise the foundation for its successful efforts in preserving habitats critical for wildlife, particularly grizzly bears. Many reviews highlight the organization's accreditation as a land trust, signifying its adherence to national quality standards. Donors and members have expressed admiration for the founders' dedication and the tangible progress the organization makes in fostering ecological balance and addressing human-animal conflicts.
While feedback is overwhelmingly positive, a few users noted the organization's ongoing challenges in conserving habitats amid external pressures like development. However, the Vital Ground Foundation continues to engage the community and provide updates on its initiatives, fostering a sense of connection and shared purpose among supporters.
This AI summary has been generated from information found on Charity Navigator and Great Nonprofits.
What do the Facebook reviews say about The Vital Ground Foundation Inc?
96% of 50 reviewers on Facebook recommend The Vital Ground Foundation Inc. Here is a summary of their reviews:
Many supporters express admiration for grizzly bears and convey a strong desire to protect them. Users appreciate the work done by the foundation in conservation efforts and emphasize the importance of saving these magnificent animals. The passion for grizzly bears shines through, demonstrating a shared commitment to their preservation.
Overall, sentiments are positive, indicating that the nonprofit is effectively engaging the community and fostering an appreciation for wildlife conservation. The enthusiasm from reviewers showcases a solid foundation of support for the initiatives led by The Vital Ground Foundation.
This AI summary has been generated from reviews found on Facebook.
Is The Vital Ground Foundation Inc legitimate?
The Vital Ground Foundation Inc is a legitimate nonprofit organization registered as a 501(c)(3) entity. The Vital Ground Foundation Inc 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: $161,700
Professional Fundraising Fees: $0
Other Salaries and Wages: $448,745
For more financial information, click here
Official website here: www.vitalground.org
What is the mission statement of The Vital Ground Foundation Inc?
The Vital Ground Foundation works towards the recovery and long-term survival of grizzly bears and the native species sharing their range. This is accomplished through the protection and restoration of wildlife habitat and landscape linkages, as well as supporting community-based programs that prevent conflicts between people and wildlife. The organization identifies crucial grizzly bear habitats on private land and collaborates with willing landowners to protect the land's conservation values. This is achieved by acquiring conservation easements or purchasing land in fee title, then managing it to benefit wildlife and the public. Vital Ground monitors the lands it holds conservation easements on to ensure compliance with the terms. It also has a responsibility to restore and manage the land it owns to provide quality habitat for grizzly bears and other wildlife. Additionally, the foundation strategically provides grants to agencies, governmental entities, and other nonprofit conservation organizations to assist their efforts in conserving and restoring important wildlife habitats and preventing conflicts between bears and people. In 2022, the foundation acquired two conservation easements in Montana totaling 313 acres and a property in fee-title in Idaho to protect wildlife habitat and conserve key grizzly bear habitat. It also continued promoting the goals of the U.S. Forest Service's Community Forest and Open Space Program through forest stewardship activities.
Official website here: www.vitalground.org
Who is the CEO of The Vital Ground Foundation Inc?
Ryan Lutey is the Chair of The Vital Ground Foundation Inc.
Official website here: www.vitalground.org
What is the revenue of The Vital Ground Foundation Inc?
The Vital Ground Foundation Inc's revenue in 2022 was $5,489,727.
Official website here: www.vitalground.org
Who are the executives of The Vital Ground Foundation Inc and what are their salaries?
The average compensation at The Vital Ground Foundation Inc during 2022 was $67,827. There are 9 employees and 18 volunteers at The Vital Ground Foundation Inc.
Here are 18 key members and their salaries:
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- Compensation: $161,700
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- Other: $9,115
Official website here: www.vitalground.org
Where can I find the form 990 for The Vital Ground Foundation Inc?
The Vital Ground Foundation Inc's most recent form 990 was submitted in 2022 and can be accessed here.
Official website here: www.vitalground.org
Learn more at the official website: www.vitalground.org
Mission Statement of The Vital Ground Foundation Inc
The Vital Ground Foundation Inc is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of North America's grizzly bear populations by conserving wildlife habitat. With a mission to ensure the recovery and long-term survival of grizzly bears and the many native species that share their range, Vital Ground focuses on protecting and restoring critical bear habitats and landscape linkages.
To accomplish this, Vital Ground identifies crucial grizzly bear habitat on private land and works with willing landowners to protect the land's conservation values. This is achieved through the acquisition of 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. The organization has a perpetual responsibility to monitor the lands on which it holds conservation easements to ensure compliance with the terms of the conservation easements. In addition, Vital Ground restores and manages the land it owns to provide quality habitat for the benefit of grizzly bears and other wildlife.
Beyond 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. In 2022, Vital Ground made significant strides in this mission, acquiring two conservation easements in Montana totaling 313 acres and monitoring twenty conservation easements held by the organization in Montana, Idaho, and on U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy Program conservation easements held by the Idaho Department of Lands. The organization also acquired one property in fee-title in Idaho and continued promoting the goals of the U.S. Forest Service's Community Forest and Open Space Program through forest stewardship activities. Vital Ground monitored and managed four fee-title conservation properties in Idaho and six fee-title conservation properties in Montana, and conducted habitat enhancement activities on properties held for the benefit of wildlife.
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Impact
October, 2024
The Vital Ground Foundation Inc has made a significant impact on the protection and restoration of North America's grizzly bear populations by focusing on the conservation of critical wildlife habitats. Through identifying essential grizzly bear habitats on private lands, the Foundation collaborates with landowners to secure these areas, ensuring their conservation values are preserved. This is accomplished through various methods, including the acquisition of conservation easements, outright land purchases, and ongoing management of these lands to benefit both wildlife and the public.
In 2022, the Foundation acquired two conservation easements in Montana, totaling 313 acres, that safeguard vital grizzly bear habitat and key connectivity corridors crucial to the species’ recovery. Additionally, they monitored twenty existing conservation easements in Montana and Idaho, maintaining compliance with conservation standards to ensure habitat integrity.
The acquisition of a 148-acre property in Idaho further exemplifies the Foundation's commitment to preserving wildlife habitats within the Selkirk Mountains ecosystem. Through their Alvord Lake Community Forest, they foster partnerships with stakeholders to enhance forest stewardship and habitat management, directly contributing to both wildlife conservation and community engagement.
Overall, the Foundation's efforts in land acquisition, management, and community-based initiatives not only further the preservation of grizzly bears but also support the broader ecosystem that includes numerous native species, thereby promoting a healthier environment for wildlife and human coexistence.
This information is meant to be a general summary of The Vital Ground Foundation Inc. 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.
Other financial information:
This information is from the most recently submitted tax form from this organization, which was in 2022.
- Investment Income: $107,275
- Gross Receipts: $5,574,049
Assets and Liabilities:
- Total Assets: $17,450,380
- Total Liabilities: $837,465
- Net Assets: $16,612,915
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Organization Details
Founding Year
1990
Phone
(406) 549-8650Principal Officer
Ryan Lutey
Main Address
30 FORT MISSOULA ROAD, MISSOULA, MT, 598047202
Website
www.vitalground.orgNTEE Category
Code: D30 - Animals
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