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Bitter Root Resource Conservation and Development Area Incorporated

EIN 81-0360178 · Hamilton, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE BRRC&D IS TO PROMOTE CONSCIENTIOUS DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREA'S NATURAL AND HUMAN RESOURCES WHILE MAINTAINING OR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THOSE RESOURCES AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE PRIMARILY IN MINERAL, MISSOULA AND RAVALLI COUNTIES, MT

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 55%
Employees
8
Volunteers
92
Highest pay
$35,998, secretary/tr

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 82% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 September 30, 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 (2)
  1. $1.2 million spent. LAND MANAGEMENT PROJECTS LAND MANAGEMENT PROJECTS FALL UNDER TWO DIFFERENT GOALS. THE FIRST GOAL IS TO ASSIST THE US FOREST SERVICE, MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES, LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND PRIVATE LAND OWNERS IN A THREE COUNTY AREA IN REDUCING THE POTENTIAL DAMAGE FROM WILDFIRES TO PRIMARILY FOREST LANDS AND PERSONAL PROPERTY AND REDUCE THE RISK TO FIRE FIGHTERS. THE SECOND GOAL IS TO ENCOURAGE THE SUBSTITUTION OF LOCALLY AVAILABLE ENERGY RESOURCES, INCLUDING WOOD BIOMASS BOILER SYSTEMS TO REDUCE FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE.
  2. $135,613 spent. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FALL UNDER TWO DIFFERENT GOALS. THE FIRST GOAL IS TO WORK WITH MORE THAN 10 GOVERNMENTS, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, NONPROFIT GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT EFFORTS TO ENHANCE OUR COMMUNITIES AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR RESIDENTS. THE SECOND GOAL IS TO WORK WITH RC&D SPONSORS AND OTHER NONPROFITS TO PROVIDE WHOLESOME FOODS, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, RECREATION, TRANSPORTATION AND EDUCATION FOR ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WITH LOW AND MODERATE INCOMES AND PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DISABILITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 2025.

    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 December 1993.

    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.