Northern Plains Resource Council
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Bear Creek Council, based in Gardiner, Montana, is a local grassroots organization. We work to protect our unique environment and preserve the quality of life in our small community.
- Income
- $23,928
- Spending
- $102,596
- Reserves
- 8.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 58%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 69 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 329% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (4)
- $59,525 spent. Bear Aware Gardiner: This program served to minimize conflicts between wildlife and residents through the distribution of bear-proof trash cans and removing or securing attractants. The successful incubation and program development from our organization helped the program launch as a separate entity with a broader, regional scope.
- $20,000 spent. Support for wildlife conservation groups: We donated to the Save the Yellowstone Grizzly's work to protect grizzly bears from anti-conservation policies. We made memorial contributions to the Gateway Hose Company and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Foundation.
- $10,000 spent. Fencing Project: We contributed to a community effort initiated by the North Yellowstone Education Foundation to fence the school athletic field at the Gardiner School to keep a safe distance between wildlife (bears, wolves, bison, elk, and deer) and the children and community members who use the space.
- $12,855 spent. Other: We supported and participated in the broader regional and state-wide work of the Northern Plains Resource Council, continued our ongoing work to develop leadership skills in our members, and deepen connection and cooperation among community members. We awarded our annual scholarship to a local high school graduate who is pursuing higher education and a career in a field that is complementary to our mission and goals.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.
Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1977.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 October 21, 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.