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Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

EIN 81-0535303 · Bozeman, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative Programs Focus on Connecting and Protecting Habitat from Yellowstone to the Yukon so people and nature can thrive.

Income
$4.6 million
Spending
$4.3 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
13 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
10
Highest pay
$209,739, president

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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 25

    8 of 8 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 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 (7)
  1. $898,058 spent. Communities & Conservation Management - This program works to ensure communities and wildlife thrive by working with towns, ranchers, farmers and other landowners, and outdoor recreationists to help them embrace and expand practices that promote safety, human-wildlife coexistence and conflict reduction and harmony between people and wildlife. We collaborated with local groups to raise awareness of coexistence practices and funding opportunities, providing practical advice and identifying key communities where coexistence work will make a significant impact of reducing human-wildlife conflict. We work closely with policy specialists to encourage the implementation of stable funding for coexistence measures. We study the impact of recreation on nature and wildlife to assist governments with understanding trail use and manage human-wildlife interactions.
  2. $778,406 spent. Landscape Connection (wildlife corridor conservation) - We advance voluntary public and private land conservation by working in collaboration with partners to identify and conserve key lands in wildlife corridors to ensure that the range of activities on those lands allows for successful wildlife movement. This can include working with land trusts (who hold and manage the land) to implement conservation easements or land purchases. It also includes working with state governments and tribes to encourage funding to build or convert highway infrastructure (over and underpasses) for the safe passage of both wildlife and humans by reducing wildlife-vehicle collision.
  3. $680,814 spent. Land - We advance voluntary private land conservation by working in collaboration with partners to identify and conserve key lands in wildlife corridors to ensure that the range of activities on those lands allows for successful wildlife movement. This includes working with land trusts (who hold and manage the land) to implement conservation easements or land purchases.
  4. $446,980 spent. Landscape protection - working with partners and using science and Indigenous knowledge to identify and protect core habitat critical for both people and wildlife.
  5. $430,065 spent. Science & Knowledge - Initiating and supporting science-based research projects that advance large landscape understanding and conservation locally and globally.
  6. $394,025 spent. Policy & Government Relations - Supporting local, regional, national and internation governmental decision-making and funding in areas that advance large landscape conservation.
  7. $161,190 spent. Marketing & Communication - Focused on inspiring people to support the mission and vision of the organization, bringing awareness to the beauty and challenges of the region at large, and maintaining the reputation of the organization by providing information to supporters, partners and stakeholders on the activities and impact of the organization

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

  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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2000.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.