Sacajawea Audubon Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of the Sacajawea Audubon Society is to build on an interest in birds to promote the conservation of our natural environment through enjoyment, education and action.
- Income
- $283,582
- Spending
- $213,527
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- -108.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 78%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 490
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: 65 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 91% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 75 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
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 (1)
- $194,590 spent. Sacajawea Audubon Society (SAS) continues to make remarkable progress in fulfilling its mission to promote the welfare of birds and the natural environment through conservation, education, and citizen science. Below is a summary of key achievements from 2024.Wetland Preservation ProgramSAS owns and manages the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve, a 40-acre urban wetland within the Bozeman city limits. This urban oasis was set aside by SAS to conserve and enhance wetland communities while offering environmental education accessible to all ages. The preserve serves as an outdoor classroom where visitors can learn about wetland ecology, observe wildlife, and participate in ongoing research and restoration efforts.In 2024, the preserves Busy Beaver Volunteer Corps continued to thrive, with 80 trained volunteers contributing to weekly citizen-science activities. These included avian point counts, piezometer and well monitoring, vegetation and wildlife surveys, and other projects that build vital baseline data for long-term research.The year also saw the launch of Montanas first-ever Wetland Master Naturalist Course, a hands-on educational program offering participants field-based training in wetland ecology and stewardship. Indreland Preserve led weekly bird walks, hosted school groups, and offered workshops on topics such as alternative weed control and wildlife management. In July, community members joined SAS for the third annual BioBlitz at the Indreland Preserve, documenting the biodiversity of this growing conservation area. Bridger Mountain Raptor ProgramIn 2024, SAS celebrated the 33rd year of monitoring fall raptor migration along the Bridger Mountain Range, the longest-running fall raptor survey in the Rocky Mountains. This two-month effort, each year, focuses on tracking Golden Eagles and other raptors that migrate through the range each fall. The season begins with a Raptor Identification Workshop and builds toward the Bridger Raptor Festival, which drew over 3,000 participants for two days of educational programs, live bird demonstrations, and family activities.Education, Field Trips, and Community EngagementSAS offered more than 20 free field trips, workshops, and courses, covering topics such as beginning and intermediate birding, wildlife communication and tracking, plant identification, and bird-friendly gardening (including tips for bird-safe windows and cat protection).In the fall of 2024 SAS offered, for the first time, a Certified Master Naturalist Course for 15 students.Volunteers also maintained a public bird-feeding station at Story Mill Community Park, giving visitors a chance to observe local birdlife up close.Together with Gallatin Valley Earth Day, SAS provided wildlife presentations and family activities during Earth Day celebrations. Education has been central to SASs mission for more than 57 years. Each year, we present nine engaging monthly programsboth in-person and virtuallyso that all community members can connect, learn, and be inspired by our natural resources.Bird-Friendly Communities InitiativeThrough the Bird-Friendly Communities Initiative, SAS continued to promote coexistence between people and wildlife by:Bird-Friendly Landscaping: Hosting community presentations, maintaining a demonstration garden, publishing a Plants for Birds newsletter column, and organizing a bird-friendly garden tour.Bird-Safe Windows: Designing and distributing educational brochures, creating display models of window treatments, writing awareness articles, and assisting members in making their homes safer for birds.Cats Safe at Home: Promoting responsible pet stewardship through brochure distribution and a popular Catio Tour, showcasing creative outdoor enclosures for cats.Conservation & Citizen Science ProjectsKnock Out Burdock Program: For the 12th year, SAS volunteers removed invasive burdocka plant whose burrs can fatally entangle songbirdsfrom local parks and trails, significantly reducing its spread.Nest Box Programs: Volunteers monitored hundreds of Mountain Bluebird boxes and over 70 American Kestrel boxes, collecting and sharing nesting data with partner research organizations. Nestlings were also banded to contribute to long-term avian studies.Christmas Bird Counts: SAS organized seven local counts as part of the National Audubon Societys Christmas Bird Count, contributing to one of the worlds largest and longest-running citizen-science projects.Through these efforts, Sacajawea Audubon Society continues to inspire conservation action, nurture environmental stewardship, and protect the birds and habitats that enrich our region. Our work at the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve, the Bridger Mountains Raptor Program, and across our community reflects the dedication of hundreds of volunteers, partners, and supporters who share our vision for the people and wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem of Montana.
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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1968.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.