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Park County Environmental Council

EIN 36-3699660 · Livingston, MT

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PCEC works to protect the land, water, air, wildlife and foster a resilient future for Yellowstone's Northern Gateway.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
3.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
10
Volunteers
97
Highest pay
$120,115, managing dir

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $575,875 spent. Protect and Advocate for Healthy Ecosystems: Park County Environmental Council (PCEC) protected the land, water, air, and wildlife of Yellowstones Northern Gateway by advancing conservation policies, responsible land-use planning, and wildlife coexistence initiatives. PCEC worked with community members to oppose a proposed large-scale resort development in the Suce Creek area near the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. PCEC promoted science-based wildlife management, including efforts to reduce wolf hunting pressure near Yellowstone National Park and strengthen bear coexistence practices in Park County and Livingston. PCEC also partnered on Indigenous and community oral history projects to elevate diverse perspectives on land stewardship. Through advocacy, PCEC advanced protections for grizzlies, bison, wolves, pollinators, and other native species.
  2. $153,962 spent. Create Thriving Communities: PCEC fostered a resilient future for Yellowstones Northern Gateway by advancing smart growth policies, climate -adaptive infrastructure, and community-led solutions that protect land, water, air, and quality of life. The organization supported local efforts to adapt to wildfire, flooding, and other climate-related impacts while promoting strategies to lower greenhouse gas emissions. In 2025, this work contributed to updates to Livingstons downtown and parks master plans, strengthened watershed protections and smart growth provisions in the city zoning code, expanded bicycle infrastructure and trails, the planting of nearly 100 more trees to diversify the urban forest, and the acquisition of electric school buses for local public schools.
  3. $101,720 spent. Educate Conservation Leaders: PCEC empowered community members to protect the land, water, air, and wildlife of Yellowstones Northern Gateway through education, leadership development, and inclusive civic engagement. The organization engaged youth through school-based programs, paid internships, independent studies, and curriculum development, and provided accessible learning opportunities for broader audiences. In 2025, participating youth served as keynote speakers at national conferences, demonstrating the impact of the program. PCECs strategic plan identified conservation education as a priority for expanded investment, and the organization allocated resources to hire a full-time Director of Educational Programming. These efforts strengthened a diverse and community-driven conservation movement advancing long-term stewardship and resilience.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.