Yaak Valley Forest Council
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WORKING FOR A WILD YAAK THROUGH SCIENCE, EDUCATION, AND BOLD ACTION.
- Income
- $410,680
- Spending
- $447,813
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 3.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 60
- Highest pay
- $16,828, executive di
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
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 13% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
- $348,127 spent. COMMUNITY FOREST WATCH YVFC'S FOREST WATCH PROGRAM ADVOCATES FOR RESPONSIBLE LAND MANAGEMENT THAT SUPPORTS WILDLIFE, OLD-GROWTH FORESTS, AND HEALTHY WATERSHEDS, IN THE KOOTENAI WHILE ALSO WORKING TO RECOVER THE YAAK'S IMPERILED POPULATION OF ENDANGERED GRIZZLY BEARS. IN 2024 WE PROTECTED THE YAAK'S PUBLIC LANDS, ENGAGING WITH THE KOOTENAI NATIONAL FOREST AT EVERY LEVEL TO PROTECT VITAL HABITAT FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES AND PREVENT LOGGING OF THE YAAK'S CARBON- STORING OLD-GROWTH FORESTS. WE CONTINUED OUR YEARS-LONG DEFENSE OF BLACK RAM, KNOTTY PINE, NORMAN-MCCEDAR, AND TROJAN DEFENSE, AND ENGAGED IN SEVERAL NEW PROJECTS PROPOSED BY THE KNF, INCLUDING THE KING KONG WILDLIFE IMPROVEMENT AND FOREST HEALTH PROJECT, THE RUBY SNAX FOREST HEALTH PROJECT, AND THE WHY NOT STARDUST MINERALS EXPLORATION PROJECT, WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR HARMFUL DREDGE MINING OPERATIONS ON THE YAAK RIVER. WE CONTINUE TO MONITOR ILLEGAL MOTOR VEHICLE USE IN THE KNF, WHERE DESPITE AGENCY CLAIMS THAT DESIGNATED GRIZZLY CORE HABITAT IS SUFFICIENTLY PROTECTED, YVFC CONTINUES TO DOCUMENT ILLICIT USE. DURING THE 2024 FIELD SEASON, WE MONITORED 56 ROAD BARRIERS, DOCUMENTING ILLEGAL ACCESS INTO VITAL GRIZZLY BEAR HABITAT. WHILE WE CONTINUE TO ENGAGE WITH KNF AT THE PROJECT LEVEL, WE BEGAN WORK ON AN ECOREGIONAL CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT (ECA) FOR THE NORTHERN ROCKIES ECOREGION WITH DRS DELLASALA AND AFRICANIS OF WILDHERITAGE, TO ESTABLISH A SCIENTIFIC BASELINE DOCUMENTING QUALITIES THAT MAKE THE YAAK A CONSERVATION PRIORITY AND SERVE AS MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR THE PROPOSED BLACK RAM CLIMATE REFUGE. IN LATE SEPTEMBER WE BROUGHT TOGETHER LOCAL CITIZENS, SCIENTISTS, AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO REVIEW THE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS AT A WORKSHOP IN MISSOULA. WITH THE HELP OF THESE PARTNERS, WE ARE DEVELOPING A CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK TO PRODUCE A SCIENCE-BASED PUBLICATION AND ONLINE CONSERVATION ATLAS THAT WILL BE USED TO EXPAND FOREST PROTECTIONS WHILE RECOMMENDING EFFECTIVE WAYS TO REDUCE RISKS TO COMMUNITIES FROM WILDFIRES AND CLIMATE CHANGE. COMMUNITY FOREST WATCH YVFC'S FOREST WATCH PROGRAM ADVOCATES FOR RESPONSIBLE LAND MANAGEMENT THAT SUPPORTS WILDLIFE, OLD-GROWTH FORESTS, AND HEALTHY WATERSHEDS, IN THE KOOTENAI WHILE ALSO WORKING TO RECOVER THE YAAK'S IMPERILED POPULATION OF ENDANGERED GRIZZLY BEARS. IN 2024 WE PROTECTED THE YAAK'S PUBLIC LANDS, ENGAGING WITH THE KOOTENAI NATIONAL FOREST AT EVERY LEVEL TO PROTECT VITAL HABITAT FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES AND PREVENT LOGGING OF THE YAAK'S CARBON- STORING OLD-GROWTH FORESTS. WE CONTINUED OUR YEARS-LONG DEFENSE OF BLACK RAM, KNOTTY PINE, NORMAN-MCCEDAR, AND TROJAN DEFENSE, AND ENGAGED IN SEVERAL NEW PROJECTS PROPOSED BY THE KNF, INCLUDING THE KING KONG WILDLIFE IMPROVEMENT AND FOREST HEALTH PROJECT, THE RUBY SNAX FOREST HEALTH PROJECT, AND THE WHY NOT STARDUST MINERALS EXPLORATION PROJECT, WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR HARMFUL DREDGE MINING OPERATIONS ON THE YAAK RIVER. WE CONTINUE TO MONITOR ILLEGAL MOTOR VEHICLE USE IN THE KNF, WHERE DESPITE AGENCY CLAIMS THAT DESIGNATED GRIZZLY CORE HABITAT IS SUFFICIENTLY PROTECTED, YVFC CONTINUES TO DOCUMENT ILLICIT USE. DURING THE 2024 FIELD SEASON, WE MONITORED 56 ROAD BARRIERS, DOCUMENTING ILLEGAL ACCESS INTO VITAL GRIZZLY BEAR HABITAT. WHILE WE CONTINUE TO ENGAGE WITH KNF AT THE PROJECT LEVEL, WE BEGAN WORK ON AN ECOREGIONAL CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT (ECA) FOR THE NORTHERN ROCKIES ECOREGION WITH DRS DELLASALA AND AFRICANIS OF WILDHERITAGE, TO ESTABLISH A SCIENTIFIC BASELINE DOCUMENTING QUALITIES THAT MAKE THE YAAK A CONSERVATION PRIORITY AND SERVE AS MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES FOR THE PROPOSED BLACK RAM CLIMATE REFUGE. IN LATE SEPTEMBER WE BROUGHT TOGETHER LOCAL CITIZENS, SCIENTISTS, AND NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO REVIEW THE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS AT A WORKSHOP IN MISSOULA. WITH THE HELP OF THESE PARTNERS, WE ARE DEVELOPING A CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK TO PRODUCE A SCIENCE-BASED PUBLICATION AND ONLINE CONSERVATION ATLAS THAT WILL BE USED TO EXPAND FOREST PROTECTIONS WHILE RECOMMENDING EFFECTIVE WAYS TO REDUCE RISKS TO COMMUNITIES FROM WILDFIRES AND CLIMATE CHANGE.
- HEADWATERS RESTORATION PARTNERSHIP THE HEADWATERS RESTORATION PROGRAM PROTECTS AND PRESERVES HABITAT AND RIPARIAN CORRIDORS FOR SENSITIVE AND THREATENED NATIVE-FISH SPECIES THROUGH WATERSHED MONITORING AND ON-THE-GROUND RESTORATION PROJECTS. DURING THE 2024 FIELD SEASON, YVFC'S FIELD CREW CONDUCTED WATERSHED MONITORING AT OVER 60 SITES THROUGHOUT THE KOOTENAI RIVER WATERSHED, CONTINUING LONG-TERM WATER TEMPERATURE MONITORING, INVASIVE SPECIES MONITORING, AND ANALYZING SAMPLES FOR WATER QUALITY METRICS (NITROGEN, PHOSPHATE, SUSPENDED SOLIDS). WE ALSO EXPANDED TESTING FOR SELENIUM IN RESPONSE TO GROWING CONCERN FROM THE COMMUNITY AND TRIBAL PARTNERS ABOUT ITS IMPACT ON FISH REPRODUCTION. IN ADDITION TO WATERSHED MONITORING, THE HEADWATERS PROGRAM PARTNERED WITH A PRIVATE LANDOWNER TO RESTORE OVER 200 FEET OF ERODED RIVERBANK TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AT THE HEADWATERS OF THE YAAK RIVER AND RESTORE HIGH-QUALITY RIPARIAN HABITAT. HEADWATERS RESTORATION PARTNERSHIP THE HEADWATERS RESTORATION PROGRAM PROTECTS AND PRESERVES HABITAT AND RIPARIAN CORRIDORS FOR SENSITIVE AND THREATENED NATIVE-FISH SPECIES THROUGH WATERSHED MONITORING AND ON-THE-GROUND RESTORATION PROJECTS. DURING THE 2024 FIELD SEASON, YVFC'S FIELD CREW CONDUCTED WATERSHED MONITORING AT OVER 60 SITES THROUGHOUT THE KOOTENAI RIVER WATERSHED, CONTINUING LONG-TERM WATER TEMPERATURE MONITORING, INVASIVE SPECIES MONITORING, AND ANALYZING SAMPLES FOR WATER QUALITY METRICS (NITROGEN, PHOSPHATE, SUSPENDED SOLIDS). WE ALSO EXPANDED TESTING FOR SELENIUM IN RESPONSE TO GROWING CONCERN FROM THE COMMUNITY AND TRIBAL PARTNERS ABOUT ITS IMPACT ON FISH REPRODUCTION. IN ADDITION TO WATERSHED MONITORING, THE HEADWATERS PROGRAM PARTNERED WITH A PRIVATE LANDOWNER TO RESTORE OVER 200 FEET OF ERODED RIVERBANK TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AT THE HEADWATERS OF THE YAAK RIVER AND RESTORE HIGH-QUALITY RIPARIAN HABITAT.
- CONSERVATION EDUCATION YVFC BUILDS LOCAL GRASSROOTS SUPPORT FOR RESPONSIBLE FOREST MANAGEMENT THAT PRIORITIZES CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND HABITAT CONNECTIVITY, EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT ISSUES RELATED TO WATERSHED HEALTH, AND FOSTERING A CULTURE OF COEXISTENCE WITH WILDLIFE. IN 2024 WE EXPANDED EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS, SPECIFICALLY WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SMALL RURAL SCHOOLS WHERE THE SMALL CLASS SIZES AND REMOTE LOCATIONS LIMIT ACCESS TO EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND WORKED WITH LOCAL LANDOWNERS TO PROTECT IMPORTANT WILDLIFE MIGRATION CORRIDORS IN THE YAAK. THROUGH OUR ROBUST BEAR AWARE PROGRAM, WE PROVIDED BEAR-SAFE EDUCATION THROUGHOUT LINCOLN COUNTY AND SUPPORTED YAAK VALLEY RESIDENTS WITH BEAR-SAFE GARBAGE CANS, ELECTRIC FENCING, AND BEAR SPRAY. CONSERVATION EDUCATION YVFC BUILDS LOCAL GRASSROOTS SUPPORT FOR RESPONSIBLE FOREST MANAGEMENT THAT PRIORITIZES CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND HABITAT CONNECTIVITY, EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT ISSUES RELATED TO WATERSHED HEALTH, AND FOSTERING A CULTURE OF COEXISTENCE WITH WILDLIFE. IN 2024 WE EXPANDED EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS, SPECIFICALLY WITH AN EMPHASIS ON SMALL RURAL SCHOOLS WHERE THE SMALL CLASS SIZES AND REMOTE LOCATIONS LIMIT ACCESS TO EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND WORKED WITH LOCAL LANDOWNERS TO PROTECT IMPORTANT WILDLIFE MIGRATION CORRIDORS IN THE YAAK. THROUGH OUR ROBUST BEAR AWARE PROGRAM, WE PROVIDED BEAR-SAFE EDUCATION THROUGHOUT LINCOLN COUNTY AND SUPPORTED YAAK VALLEY RESIDENTS WITH BEAR-SAFE GARBAGE CANS, ELECTRIC FENCING, AND BEAR SPRAY.
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 September 1999.
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.
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