Blackfoot Challenge Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of The Blackfoot Challenge is to coordinate efforts that will conserve and enhance the natural resources and rural way of life in the Blackfoot Watershed for present and future generations.
- Income
- $3.4 million
- Spending
- $2.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 66%
- Reserves
- 15.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 55%
- Employees
- 24
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $108,073, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 50% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1565% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2525 of 25 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 (1)
- $1.9 million spent. Formed in 1993, the mission of the Blackfoot Challenge is "to coordinate efforts that conserve and enhance the natural resources and rural way of life in the Blackfoot watershed for present and future generations." Our success is rooted in our approach. Through a community-based and collaborative process, we bring people together to identify shared values around community needs, we facilitate respectful conversations and information sharing, and we build partnerships based in trust. The results are homegrown conservation solutions that stand the test of time.Continued on Schedule O Our 2024 program accomplishments include:BLACKFOOT COMMUNITY CONSERVATION AREA Implemented 240 acres of forest mechanical treatments to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, enhance wildlife habitat, and improve stand resilience. Worked with Blackfoot Challenge Forestry & Prescribed Fire Coordinator and University of Montana to initiate prescribed burn plans for 5 management units. Controlled invasive weeds on road systems, forest treatment areas, and native prairies through integrated approaches across 100 acres including biological controls, chemical application, and hand-pulling. Hosted multiple events with university and volunteer groups to pull noxious weeds, remove old fence wire, and maintain beaver dam analogs. Participated in educational programs on the BCCA with area school groups, reaching more than 80 students. Maintained the 3-mile hiking/skiing trail system including annual mowing/grooming. Administered and maintained the new seasonal, cross-boundary motorized loop in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Implemented the NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program completing multiple conservation enhancements, including wildlife friendly fencing, forest treatments, noxious weed control, and vegetation monitoring. Maintained two beaver dam analogs as a demonstration to enhance wetland habitat, reconnect flood plain, and improve late season stock water. Installed additional off-stream stock tank to reduce pressure on riparian area and support the rotational grazing system. EDUCATION Provided live raptor program at Lincoln School. Led two field trips with Seeley Lake Elementary School Outdoor Program to learn about and observe trumpeter swans and common loons. Provided hands-on lessons on aquatic macroinvertebrates for students from two schools at Montana Outdoor Science Academy. Led field trips on stream ecology for students from Helmville and Lincoln schools. Delivered radio telemetry lessons to Ovando School students. Presented on collaborative conservation and wildlife conflict reduction methods to visiting Helena High School class. Offered bear awareness events for students at multiple watershed schools. Offered noxious weed education to students at Helmville and Sunset schools. Implemented a full day of education activities about water and fire for more than 120 students, teachers, and parents from six watershed schools at the DNRC Clearwater Unit for the annual Youth Field Day. Hosted a week-long field course for five students and two teachers from Shattuck St. Marys School, including field-based learning about collaborative conservation. FORESTRY Facilitated 600+ acres of prescribed burning on state and private lands and supported federal partner burns across another 600+ acres. Completed 589 acres of forest thinning to improve forest health and reduce fire risk. Conducted 14 outreach / education tours or events throughout the Blackfoot to showcase prescribed fire effects and efforts. Helped form the new Montana Prescribed Fire Council (hosted by Montana DNRC). Participated in a two-week prescribed fire Training Exchange (TREX) in Nebraska. Began planning a Blackfoot Valley TREX for spring of 2025 for prescribed fire field training and experience. LAND STEWARDSHIP Conducted multiple property assessments and landowner meetings associated with NRCS stewardship programs resulting in greater awareness and participation. Completed over 500 acres of private lands forest treatments under multiple to mitigate catastrophic wildfires and increase forest resiliency. Developed private lands grazing and riparian management plans for multiple stream protection projects. Completed Biochar Demonstration Project including the transfer of over 500 tons of biochar to 6 ranches, application and monitoring of outcomes. Coordinated Blackfoot Soil Health Work Group to share knowledge on bale grazing, cover crops, no-till seeding, and high stock density/short duration grazing. Coordinated multiple conifer encroachment removal projects covering hundreds of acres to conserve grassland/sage habitat and rangeland, benefiting rare native bird species. Provided presentations to multiple groups including University of Montana, Northwest Philanthropy Fellows, watershed groups, local schools, and agencies. Hosted a soil health education station at Youth Field Day event, reaching over 100 students from local schools.TRUMPETER SWANS & NATIVE BIRDS Conducted Climate Watch Nuthatch Survey through Montana Audubon. Participated in Cornell Labs Great Backyard Bird Count. Monitored wintering Blackfoot swans in the Ruby, Clearwater and Flathead valleys. Conducted and coordinated citizen science long-billed curlew surveys in conjunction with Montana Audubon. Monitored trumpeter swan territories for nest success, cygnet production, and fledging throughout the watershed and adjacent Swan Valley. Censused Brewers sparrows in conifer encroachment project sites. Engaged members in community science program monitoring common loons. VEGETATION Supported implementation of integrated noxious weed management for landowners, including providing native and exotic plant identification, herbicide application protocols, and biological control insect releases. Hosted 2 weed pulls at the Russell Gates Fishing Access Site for the 26th year. Received the second WHIP grant to revisit previo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 2026.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1995.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.