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Nonprofiteer
← ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIRD OBSERVATORY

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIRD OBSERVATORY.

Totals

Total revenue
$10,142,496
Total expenses
$9,237,937
Contributions and grants received
$9,863,073
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$280,530
Investment income
$28,838
Other revenue
-$29,945
Total assets, end of year
$5,738,110
Total liabilities, end of year
$663,415
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$5,074,695
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$8,030,853
Management and general expenses
$985,133
Fundraising expenses
$221,951
Program service expenses (Part III)
$8,030,853

Program services were 86.9% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $199,666

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $8,247,158

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $1,416,249

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $48,184

  • 2a · Program service revenue: CONSERVATION FEES

    total $198,241 · related or exempt $198,241

  • 2b · Program service revenue: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM REVENUE

    total $82,289 · related or exempt $82,289

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $28,838 · excluded $28,838

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $0

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $199,666

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $30,891

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$30,891 · excluded -$30,891

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $946

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $0

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $946 · related or exempt $946

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $445,584 · program services $158,756 · management and general $270,253 · fundraising $16,575

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $4,794,757 · program services $4,229,737 · management and general $448,222 · fundraising $116,798

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $123,504 · program services $106,446 · management and general $14,230 · fundraising $2,828

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $489,981 · program services $411,551 · management and general $65,596 · fundraising $12,834

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $469,946 · program services $393,814 · management and general $64,383 · fundraising $11,749

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $278,551 · program services $226,119 · management and general $30,169 · fundraising $22,263

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $451,214 · program services $438,879 · management and general $6,300 · fundraising $6,035

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $194,984 · program services $162,187 · management and general $25,210 · fundraising $7,587

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $184,186 · program services $161,340 · management and general $21,967 · fundraising $879

  • 17 · Travel

    total $670,487 · program services $655,405 · management and general $2,513 · fundraising $12,569

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $97,028 · program services $89,045 · management and general $6,371 · fundraising $1,612

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $52,373 · program services $38,756 · management and general $13,093 · fundraising $524

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $82,155 · program services $55,631 · management and general $16,826 · fundraising $9,698

  • 24a · Other expenses: SERVICE CONTRACTS

    total $903,187 · program services $903,187

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $2,744,738 · end of year $1,382,840

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $442,235 · end of year $620,443

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $1,004,888 · end of year $2,691,363

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $48,104 · end of year $33,544

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $1,071,465

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $698,442

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $315,047 · end of year $373,023

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    end of year $205,824

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $397,136 · end of year $431,073

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $746,925 · end of year $440,582

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $23,333 · end of year $23,941

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $23,702 · end of year $198,892

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $2,190,950 · end of year $2,639,055

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $1,967,238 · end of year $2,435,640

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

OUR MISSION IS TO CONSERVE BIRDS AND THEIR HABITATS THROUGH AN INTEGRATED APPROACH OF SCIENCE, EDUCATION AND LAND STEWARDSHIP. WE ENVISION A FUTURE WHERE BIRDS ARE FOREVER ABUNDANT, CONTRIBUTING TO HEALTHY LANDSCAPES AND INSPIRING HUMAN CURIOSITY AND LOVE OF NATURE. OUR MISSION IS TO CONSERVE BIRDS AND THEIR HABITATS THROUGH AN INTEGRATED APPROACH OF SCIENCE, EDUCATION AND LAND STEWARDSHIP. WE ENVISION A FUTURE WHERE BIRDS ARE FOREVER ABUNDANT, CONTRIBUTING TO HEALTHY LANDSCAPES AND INSPIRING HUMAN CURIOSITY AND LOVE OF NATURE. OUR WORK RADIATES FROM THE ROCKIES TO THE GREAT PLAINS, MEXICO AND BEYOND. OUR EFFORTS ARE ADVANCED BY SOUND SCIENCE, ACHIEVED THROUGH EMPOWERING PEOPLE, REALIZED THROUGH STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINED THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS. TOGETHER, WE ARE IMPROVING NATIVE BIRD POPULATIONS, THE LAND AND THE LIVES OF PEOPLE.

Activities or mission (Part I)

CONSERVE BIRDS AND THEIR HABITATS THROUGH SCIENCE, EDUCATION AND LAND STEWARDSHIP.

  • SCIENCE - BIRD CONSERVANCY OF THE ROCKIES MONITORS, EVALUATES AND RESEARCHES BIRDS AND THEIR HABITATS GENERATING DATA THAT GUIDES SCIENCE-BASED CONSERVATION EFFORTS ACROSS THE FULL ANNUAL CYCLE OF BIRDS' LIVES. OUR WORK EXTENDS FROM THE BREEDING GROUNDS IN THE U.S. AND CANADA TO WINTERING GROUNDS IN MEXICO AND BEYOND. STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY SCIENTISTS EXPAND OUR REACH AND INCREASE OUR IMPACT. WE WORK WITH STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, UNIVERSITIES, NGOS, LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND LANDOWNERS TO BUILD CAPACITY, KNOWLEDGE AND SUPPORT FOR THE CONSERVATION OF ECOSYSTEMS IMPORTANT TO MIGRATORY AND RESIDENT BIRDS AND PEOPLE. JOIN US IN THE DISCOVERY.

    Expenses $4,811,992 · Revenue $198,937

  • STEWARDSHIP - OUR NETWORK OF STRATEGICALLY-PLACED PRIVATE LANDS WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS ENGAGE DIRECTLY WITH LANDOWNERS, LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND MANAGERS TO ENACT VOLUNTARY, PRO-ACTIVE CONSERVATION ACTION. WE BUILD A GRASSROOTS LAND STEWARDSHIP ETHIC THAT LINKS BIRDS, HABITAT AND LAND HEALTH. TOGETHER, WE'RE CREATING LONG-TERM CONSERVATION SOLUTIONS FOR PEOPLE, BIRDS AND THE LAND. WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE CAN ENGAGE LANDOWNERS AND COMMUNITIES IN CONSERVATION EFFORTS, INTEGRATING THE ECOLOGICAL HEALTH, ECONOMIC DRIVERS AND HABITAT NEEDS OF BIRD POPULATIONS. HELP US IMPART A STEWARDSHIP ETHIC.

    Expenses $2,088,870 · Revenue $530

  • EDUCATION - BIRDS, NATURE AND SCIENCE ARE POWERFUL SOURCES OF INSPIRATION. BIRD CONSERVANCY FOCUSES ON CONNECTING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES WITH THE NATURAL WORLD. WE PROVIDE YEAR-ROUND LEARNING AND EXPOSURE TO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ART AND MATHEMATICS (STEAM). WE SPARK THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ABILITIES OF THE WHOLE PERSON TO EMPOWER AND ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUAL GROWTH AND CONFIDENCE, WELL-BEING, AND A PASSION FOR OUR NATURAL WORLD. THIS IS ACHIEVED THROUGH FIELD AND CLASSROOM PROGRAMS, YOUTH SUMMER CAMPS, FIELD EXCURSIONS, TRAINING FOR TEACHERS AND LANDOWNERS, AND PROGRAMMING FOR SENIORS AND OTHERS IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES. INSPIRE IN NATURE.

    Expenses $954,608 · Revenue $82,009

  • CGRI - BIRD CONSERVANCY OF THE ROCKIES CATALYZED THE CENTRAL GRASSLAND ROADMAP INITIATIVE INCLUDING HIRING THE FIRST-EVER CENTRAL GRASSLAND ROADMAP DIRECTOR TO INCREASE COMMUNICATION, COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION ACROSS THE REGION. THE INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED TO LIFT ALL VOICES INCLUDING TRIBAL NATIONS, US, MEXICO AND CANADA AS WELL AS 7-SECTORS: PRIVATE LANDOWNERS, STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, INDUSTRY, FOUNDATIONS AND ACADEMIA AND CREATE A MOVEMENT TO SAVE OUR GRASSLANDS ACROSS THE CENTRAL GREAT PLAINS. WE ARE STRIVING TO ENSURE HEALTHY GRASSLANDS, HUMAN COMMUNITIES AND WILDLIFE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. OUR THREE PILLARS OF FOCUS INCLUDE: POLICY AND FUNDING, PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENT, AND RESEARCH AND EVALUATION. TOGETHER WE CAN CHANGE THE STORY AND TRAJECTORY OF OUR GRASSLANDS.

    Expenses $175,383

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Eileen Dey Bs

    CHAIRMAN

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5

  • Garth Spellman PhD

    CO-CHAIRMAN

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5

  • Jeanine Corvetto

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5

  • Ed Warner Ms PhD

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5

  • Tonie Hansen

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5

  • Christine Coolidge

    DIRECTOR (JAN - NOV)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5

  • D Jean Tate PhD

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5

  • Alejandro Carrillo

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5

  • Nathan Pieplow M Ed D

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5

  • John Sanderson PhD

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5

  • Geoffery Geupel Bs

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5

  • Kathryn Heet JD

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5

  • Shanelle Thevarajah

    DIRECTOR (AUG - DEC)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5

  • Eric Lane

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5

  • Rosa Maria Vidal

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1.5

  • Tammy Vercauteren

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $165,301
    From this org
    $159,185
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $6,116
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $159,185
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $4,776
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,786
    Filer's total
    $165,747

  • Elinda Dennis

    CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $135,000
    From this org
    $134,370
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $630
    Hours/week
    40

  • Thomas Ryder

    CHIEF CONSERVATION SCIENTIST

    Total calculated
    $144,042
    From this org
    $131,538
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $12,504
    Hours/week
    40

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
12 May 2025
IRS schema version
2024v5.1
Source object
202511339349304141

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