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Blue Mountain Land Trust

EIN 91-1989279 · Walla Walla, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE PROTECT THE LANDS AND WATERS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAIN REGION FOR PEOPLE, AGRICULTURE, AND WILDLIFE. WE DO THIS THROUGH CONSERVATION, STEWARDSHIP, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ACROSS SOUTHEAST WASHINGTON AND EASTERN OREGON.

Income
$858,244
Spending
$845,458
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
8
Volunteers
93
Highest pay
$118,486, executive director

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: 56 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 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 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% 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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    6 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 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)
  1. $200,015 spent. CONSERVATION - BMLT MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON SEVERAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT ACQUISITIONS THAT WILL PROTECT LAND AND WATER IN BOTH OREGON AND WASHINGTON WHEN THEY CLOSE IN 2025. PROJECTS INCLUDE BOTH HABITAT CONSERVATION AND FARMLAND PRESERVATION.
  2. $194,359 spent. RECREATION - BMLT REPAIRED AND STEWARDED RECREATIONAL TRAILS IN THE NORTH FORK UMATILLA WILDERNESS FOR ACCESSIBLE OUTDOOR ACCESS FOR THE PUBLIC. BMLT ALSO MAINTAINED AND EXPANDED WINTER TRAIL ACCESS AT THE HORSESHOE PRAIRIE NORDIC SKI AREA AND CONSTRUCTED A NEW SEASONAL WARMING HUT. PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENGAGE WITH NATURAL RESOURCE EXPERTS AND GET HANDS ON EXPERIENCE WORKING OUTDOORS AT VOLUNTEER EVENTS.
  3. $128,194 spent. STEWARDSHIP - BMLT STEWARDED ITS MORE THAN 23,327 ACRES OF PROTECTED LANDS INCLUDING COMPLETING ANNUAL MONITORING VISITS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH CONSERVATION EASEMENT TERMS. STAFF CONDUCTED ON-PROPERTY RESEARCH TO ASSESS RIPARIAN AND FOREST HABITAT CONDITIONS, DOCUMENT BIRD AND PLANT SPECIES, AND WORKED WITH OTHER CONSERVATION PARTNERS TO PLAN FOR FUTURE RESTORATION PROJECTS.

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 January 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.