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Black Hills Parks and Forests Association

EIN 46-6017180 · Hot Springs, SD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BLACK HILLS PARKS AND FORESTS ASSOCIATION (BHPFA) IS A NON-PROFIT COOPERATING PARTNER WITH THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND U.S. FOREST SERVICE. OUR MISSION IS TO SUPPORT WONDER AND EXPLORATION THROUGH STEWARD SHIP OF YOUR PUBLIC LANDS. BHPFA SUPPORTS OUR PUBLIC LAND PARTNERS WITH THEIR INTERPRETIVE, EDUCATIONAL, AND RESEARCH PROGRAMS THAT PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE BLACK HILLS, WESTERN NEBRASKA, AND SURROUNDING AREAS. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY OPERATING SALES OUTLETS IN PUBLIC LAND LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT SOUTH DAKOTA, WYOMING, AND WESTERN NEBRASKA. PURCHASES FROM THESE SITES EXPAND THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE BEYOND PARK AND FOREST BORDERS AND SUPPORTS INTERPRETIVE, RESEARCH, AND EDUCATION PROGRAMMING FOR OUR PARTNER AGENCIES. IN ADDITION TO ASSISTING OUR PARTNERS, BHPFA'S SECONDARY MISSION IS COMMITTED TO CREATING LIFELONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL THROUGH OUR MEMBERSHIP AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

Income
$787,261
Spending
$966,620
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
13.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 80%
Employees
25
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$92,705, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 98% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, 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. $453,690 spent. SALES - BHPFA CONDUCTS SPECIALTY RETAIL SALES AT 16 PARTNER OUTLETS AS WELL AS ONLINE AND EVENT SALES. ALL PRODUCTS SOLD PROVIDE AN EDUCATIONAL OR INTERPRETIVE COMPONENT AND HELP AREA VISITORS TAKE THEIR EXPERIENCE BEYOND PARK AND FOREST BOUNDARIES. STORE SALES ARE USED TO CALCULATE THE AMOUNT OF AID FUNDING PROVIDED TO OUR PARTNERS. IN FY2024, $99,695 WAS ALLOCATED TO THE 7 PARTNERS. AID EXPENDITURES INCLUDED JR. RANGER BOOKS AND BADGES, INTERNS & SEASONAL STAFF, PROGRAM SUPPLIES, AND EXHIBIT COSTS, JUST TO NAME A FEW. IN ADDITION TO THE TRADITIONAL STORE SALES, BHPFA SELLS ITEMS WITH A DONATION COMPONENT FOR SPECIFIC PARTNER INTERPRETIVE INITIATIVES. IN MAY 2024, WE ENTERED INTO AN NPS AGREEMENT ALLOWING BHPFA TO COLLECT DONATIONS ON BEHALF OF OUR PARTNERS AT THE CASH REGISTER. WE ARE ALSO THE FISCAL MANAGER FOR PARTNER GRANT FUNDS. WE MANAGE 22 AID AND DONATION ACCOUNTS BETWEEN OUR 7 PUBLIC LAND PARTNERS AND IN FY2024 GENERATED AND MANAGED CLOSE TO $170,000. EVENTS/DONATIONS/PROGRAMS - BHPFA LAUNCHED FEE BASED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS IN FY2024 AND EXPANDED ON OUR MEMBERSHIP AND DONATION PROGRAMS. WITHOUT A DEDICATED STAFF PERSON TO MANAGE THE PROGRAM, MEMBERSHIP REVENUE DECREASED FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. DONATIONS INCREASED SLIGHTLY YEAR OVER YEAR AND WE SAW A RISE IN UNSOLICITED DONATIONS, SPECIFICALLY THROUGH WORKPLACE GIVING PROGRAMS. BHPFA SECURED CLOSE TO $50,000 IN GRANT FUNDING TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF OUR MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM, SEED FUNDING FOR A LOCAL GROUP, AND CREATE A PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN AROUND PUBLIC LAND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES. FEE BASED EDUCATION PROGRAMS DID NOT GARNER A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUNDING, BUT BHPFA WAS ABLE TO PARTNER WITH LIKE-MINDED ORGANIZATIONS AND WILL BE ABLE TO LEVERAGE THOSE RELATIONSHIP AND RESOURCES FOR FUTURE PROGRAMMING REVENUE.
  2. $157,070 spent. PROGRAM AID AND SUPPORT TO NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE.
  3. $31,934 spent. PROGRAM AID AND SUPPORT TO USDA FOREST SERVICE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending October 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1968.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.