National Forest Foundation
92% goes to programs $12 to raise $100 Strong reserves Growing revenue
National Forest Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Missoula, Montana, registered in 1993, with $77,862,467 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 92% of spending to programs.
27 Fort Missoula Rd Ste 3, Missoula, MT, 59804 EIN 52-1786332 Since 1993
Revenue (FY2023)
$77.9M
▲ 51.0% vs prior year
Recreation median: $129K
Expenses (FY2023)
$82.1M
Net assets
$48.7M
Employees
143
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A
A+Program efficiency40% of the rating92% to programs · $12 to raise $100
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For National Forest Foundation: 92% to programs · $12 to raise $100 earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
B+Financial health25% of the rating7 mo reserves · -5% margin
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For National Forest Foundation: 7 mo reserves · -5% margin earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For National Forest Foundation: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 of 5 disclosure signals
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For National Forest Foundation: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
The foundation, chartered by congress as the official non-profit partner of the us forest service, engages americans in community based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193 million acre national forest system.
What they do
Forest service grants: maintain and upgrade visitor amenities, trails, and interpretive displays; improve access and understanding of national forest resources; restore habitat of native species; promote recreational facilities and responsible appreciation of wildlife.
Contact & location
- Address
- 27 Fort Missoula Rd Ste 3, Missoula, MT, 59804
- City
- Missoula
- State
- Montana
- Category
- Recreation & Sports
- Subcategory
- Camps & Recreational Clubs
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $10.8M (FY2013) to $77.9M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $44.7MNet assets $48.7M
Operating margin
-5.4%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$93.5M
Total liabilities
$44.7M
Net assets
$48.7M
Salaries & benefits
$13.2M
16% of expenses
Board members
25
25 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $77,862,467▲51.0% | $82,078,004▲71.3% | $48,724,143▼4.7% | $93,453,618▲26.6% | 990 |
| 2022 | $51,563,943▲5.1% | $47,919,274▲40.7% | $51,145,663▲9.4% | $73,816,760▲19.8% | 990 |
| 2021 | $49,084,308▲45.1% | $34,045,998▲31.6% | $46,737,820▲41.2% | $61,629,261▲32.4% | 990 |
| 2020 | $33,838,941▲37.4% | $25,871,378▲25.2% | $33,107,343▲38.1% | $46,532,416▲37.5% | 990 |
| 2019 | $24,634,190▲20.5% | $20,665,162▲23.9% | $23,971,114▲23.6% | $33,835,571▲26.3% | 990 |
| 2018 | $20,437,232▲46.9% | $16,683,818▲32.0% | $19,389,927▲25.3% | $26,788,726▲25.6% | 990 |
| 2017 | $13,915,798▲0.5% | $12,643,534▼7.3% | $15,473,558▲10.3% | $21,328,763▲10.9% | 990 |
| 2016 | $13,851,611▲4.7% | $13,645,766▲5.3% | $14,033,675▲5.1% | $19,230,856▲8.2% | 990 |
| 2015 | $13,228,967▼21.6% | $12,959,391▲3.0% | $13,348,087▲3.9% | $17,780,258▲2.9% | 990 |
| 2014 | $16,864,332▲56.0% | $12,584,967▲13.7% | $12,841,464▲47.5% | $17,276,340▲36.4% | 990 |
| 2013 | $10,813,794 | $11,070,927▲18.2% | $8,703,134▼2.8% | $12,665,567▼0.7% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $9,364,044▼28.2% | $8,956,919▲3.7% | $12,756,450▼0.3% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $13,042,768▲56.1% | $8,640,417▼17.4% | $12,800,058▼13.9% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $8,356,952▼4.6% | $10,457,088▲40.4% | $14,864,877▲30.0% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $8,758,454 | $7,448,013 | $11,433,980 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Leadership & compensation (FY2023)
Highest-paid: Mary Mitsos — $388,060 (0.47% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Mitsos | President & Ceo | 40 | $388,060 |
| Corey Whitely | Chief Financial Officer | 40 | $197,776 |
| Marcus Selig | Chief Conservation Officer | 40 | $195,439 |
| Melissa Richards | Chief People Officer | 40 | $145,579 |
| Jeff Zanelli | Chief Marketing Officer | 40 | $131,226 |
| Aimee Christensen | Director | 1 | — |
| Allie Kline | Executive Committee | 1 | — |
| Andie Macdowell | Director | 1 | — |
| Annie Kao | Director | 1 | — |
| Bob Wheeler | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Brian D Jacobs | Director | 1 | — |
| Caroline Choi | Executive Committee | 1 | — |
| Chief Randy Moore | Ex Officio | 1 | — |
| Hugh Wiley | Director | 1 | — |
| James O'donnell | Director | 1 | — |
| Janice Innis-thompson | Secretary | 1 | — |
| Jeff Nuss | Director | 1 | — |
| Jose Minaya | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Kenny Thompson Jr | Director | 1 | — |
| Kevin Murphy | Director | 1 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2023)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Ge Forestry Inc | Forestry Services | $1,956,850 |
| Usda Forest Service | Tree Planting/conservation | $1,774,877 |
| Miller Timber Services Inc | Forestry Services | $1,632,266 |
| Summitt Forests Inc | Forestry Services | $1,578,374 |
| Western Construction & Equipment LLC | Forestry Services | $1,334,660 |
Grants received · $14.7M total
123 grants to National Forest Foundation totaling $14.7M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $1,045,460 |
| Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc | To further the exempt purpose of the organization | 2024 | $500,099 |
| Paypal Charitable Giving Fund | General support | 2024 | $72,164 |
| Impactassets Inc | General support | 2024 | $50,000 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $44,656 |
| Tides Foundation | Sustainable environment | 2024 | $40,000 |
| Greater Houston Community Foundation | Environmental | 2024 | $25,000 |
| Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Inc | Habitat stewardship | 2024 | $18,854 |
| Minneapolis Foundation | Donor advised, environment | 2024 | $11,000 |
| The Pittsburgh Foundation | Natural resource conservation and protection | 2024 | $10,000 |
| Jewish Communal Fund | In furtherance of grantee's tax-exempt purpose | 2024 | $10,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2023 | $1,072,808 |
| National Fish and Wildlife Foundation | Restore railroad bridge forestland for mule deer | 2023 | $826,077 |
| Nature Conservancy | Conservation activities | 2023 | $785,194 |
| Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc | To further the exempt purpose of the organization | 2023 | $500,099 |
Grants made · $13.3M in FY2023
125 grants totaling $13.3M in FY2023 — showing the 15 largest. All grants made by National Forest Foundation →
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation Legacy | Support us national forests and grasslands | $1,943,515 |
| Ecoculture | Support us national forests and grasslands | $602,943 |
| City of Greeley | Support us national forests and grasslands | $589,153 |
| Trout Unlimited Inc | Support us national forests and grasslands | $529,405 |
| Truckee River Watershed Council | Support us national forests and grasslands | $512,434 |
| Southern Highlands Reserve Inc | Support us national forests and grasslands | $418,207 |
| Rocky Mountain Youth Corps | Support us national forests and grasslands | $315,055 |
| Colorado State University | Support us national forests and grasslands | $284,414 |
| Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council | Support us national forests and grasslands | $283,180 |
| Rio Grande Return | Support us national forests and grasslands | $281,883 |
| Treepeople Inc | Support us national forests and grasslands | $268,630 |
| Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes | Support us national forests and grasslands | $261,399 |
| Friends of the Dillon Ranger District A Co Nonprofit Corp | Support us national forests and grasslands | $244,000 |
| Ember Alliance | Support us national forests and grasslands | $240,240 |
| Big Thompson Watershed Coalition | Support us national forests and grasslands | $234,988 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is National Forest Foundation a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. National Forest Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 52-1786332, based in Missoula, Montana. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is National Forest Foundation's EIN?
- National Forest Foundation's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 52-1786332.
- How much revenue does National Forest Foundation report?
- National Forest Foundation reported $77,862,467 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of National Forest Foundation's spending goes to programs?
- National Forest Foundation spends about 92% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does National Forest Foundation have?
- CharityIndex grades National Forest Foundation A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does National Forest Foundation's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on National Forest Foundation's latest Form 990 is $388,060, paid to Mary Mitsos (President & Ceo).
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Data for National Forest Foundation (EIN 52-1786332) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.