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ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION INC

EIN 81-0421425 MISSOULA, MT

Browse the largest nonprofits in Montana

Revenue 2024
$100,089,143
Expenses 2024
$90,084,188

Program services were 74.5% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
D300
Classification
1000
Street
5705 GRANT CREEK RD

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Group exemption

The central organization of an IRS group exemption (group number 9462), covering 734 subordinate organizations. matched by us

The IRS lists each organization's group exemption number; we match a subordinate to its central organization by that number and the affiliation code the IRS assigns.

All 734 subordinates →

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

THE MISSION OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION (RMEF) IS TO ENSURE THE FUTURE OF ELK, OTHER WILDLIFE, THEIR HABITAT AND OUR HUNTING HERITAGE. OUR MISSION INCLUDES FOUR CORE PROGRAMS; LAND PROTECTION AND ACCESS, HUNTING HERITAGE, HABITAT STEWARDSHIP AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO ENSURE THE FUTURE OF ELK, OTHER WILDLIFE, THEIR HABITAT AND OUR HUNTING HERITAGE.

  • LAND PROTECTION AND ACCESS: REPRESENTS LAND ACQUISITIONS, CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, LAND EXCHANGES AND DONATIONS, AND HUNTER AND PUBLIC ACCESS RELATED PROJECTS. RMEF IDENTIFIES AND PRIORITIZES THE MOST CRUCIAL ELK WINTER AND SUMMER RANGES, MIGRATION CORRIDORS, AND CALVING AREAS USING GIS MAPPING, INTERNAL CRITERIA AND PRIORITIES, PARTNERSHIPS, AND FIELD-BASED PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE. THE HIGHEST PRIORITY HABITAT OR ACCESS AREAS ARE PROTECTED THROUGH ACQUISITION OR EASEMENT. ACQUISITIONS ARE THEN USUALLY CONVEYED INTO PUBLIC OWNERSHIP. CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ALLOW PRIVATE LANDOWNERS TO PROTECT THEIR LAND IN PERPETUITY FROM DEVELOPMENT AND OTHER USES THAT COULD DIMINISH THE HABITAT VALUE.

    Expenses $30,923,000 · Grants $2,931,207 · Revenue $23,013,295

  • HUNTING HERITAGE: REPRESENTS GRANTS AND OTHER COSTS TO ENGAGE PEOPLE IN HUNTING AND OTHER OUTDOOR PURSUITS THROUGH SKILLS INSTRUCTION, MENTORING, CONSERVATION OUTREACH AND HUNTING RELATED PRODUCT.

    Expenses $12,965,000 · Grants $1,324,320

  • HABITAT STEWARDSHIP: REPRESENTS PROJECTS TO IMPROVE THE ESSENTIAL FORAGE, WATER, AND COVER COMPONENTS OF WILDLIFE HABITAT. TYPES OF PROJECTS INCLUDE RESTORING ASPEN COMMUNITIES, FIGHTING THE SPREAD OF NOXIOUS WEEDS, BOOSTING LAND PRODUCTIVITY WITH PRESCRIBED BURNING, AND THINNING OF FORESTS. RMEF FUNDS WATER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AS WELL AS FENCING PROJECTS TO PROVIDE BETTER DISTRIBUTION OF WILDLIFE AND LIVESTOCK.

    Expenses $19,890,000 · Grants $3,787,137

  • WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT: REPRESENTS ENGAGEMENT THROUGH ADVOCACY, COLLABORATION, RESEARCH AND MANAGAMENT WITH A FOCUS ON KEY MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES SUCH AS WILDLIFE DISEASE, POPULATION DYNAMICS, MIGRATION CORRIDORS, ELK ECOLOGY AND PREDATOR MANAGEMENT.

    Expenses $3,296,810 · Grants $1,176,805

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

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • R Kyle Weaver

    PRESIDENT & CEO

    Total calculated
    $639,108
    From this org
    $592,370
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $46,738
    Hours/week
    50 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $513,620
    Bonus
    $78,750
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $17,164
    Nontaxable benefits
    $29,574
    Filer's total
    $639,108

  • Shane Cronk

    CFO / TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $312,957
    From this org
    $269,570
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $43,387
    Hours/week
    50 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $253,320
    Bonus
    $16,250
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $13,813
    Nontaxable benefits
    $29,574
    Filer's total
    $312,957

  • Steve Decker

    CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $284,580
    From this org
    $260,099
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,481
    Hours/week
    50 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $238,849
    Bonus
    $21,250
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $12,559
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,922
    Filer's total
    $284,580

  • Grant Parker

    GENERAL COUNSEL/SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $223,356
    From this org
    $190,140
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $33,216
    Hours/week
    50 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $188,890
    Bonus
    $1,250
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,813
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,403
    Filer's total
    $223,356

  • Rodney Triepke

    MANAGING DIRECTOR OF IT

    Total calculated
    $213,842
    From this org
    $187,414
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $26,428
    Hours/week
    50 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $186,164
    Bonus
    $1,250
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,813
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,615
    Filer's total
    $213,842

  • Casey Cline

    CONTROLLER

    Total calculated
    $223,542
    From this org
    $188,865
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,677
    Hours/week
    50 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $151,714
    Bonus
    $1,250
    Other
    $35,901
    Deferred
    $18,062
    Nontaxable benefits
    $16,615
    Filer's total
    $223,542

  • Blake Henning

    CHIEF CONSERVATION OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $198,165
    From this org
    $176,930
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $21,235
    Hours/week
    50 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $175,680
    Bonus
    $1,250
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,313
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,922
    Filer's total
    $198,165

  • Jennifer Doherty Mng Dir

    OF MISSION OPERATIONS

    Total calculated
    $178,417
    From this org
    $141,516
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $36,901
    Hours/week
    50 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $140,266
    Bonus
    $1,250
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,327
    Nontaxable benefits
    $29,574
    Filer's total
    $178,417

  • Kirk Murphy

    DIR. OF FIELD OPERATIONS - NW

    Total calculated
    $173,005
    From this org
    $141,940
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $31,065
    Hours/week
    50 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $140,690
    Bonus
    $1,250
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,662
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,403
    Filer's total
    $173,005

  • Riza Lesser Mng Dir

    OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

    Total calculated
    $159,638
    From this org
    $151,149
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $8,489
    Hours/week
    50 + 5 related

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $149,899
    Bonus
    $1,250
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $7,489
    Nontaxable benefits
    $1,000
    Filer's total
    $159,638

  • Fred Lekse

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    10 + 1 related

  • Tobias Toby Buck

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    10 + 1 related

  • James J Baker

    DIRECTOR (THROUGH OCT. 28, 2024)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5 + 1 related

  • Charlie Decker

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5 + 1 related

  • Nancy Holland

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5 + 1 related

  • Maurice Hull

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5 + 1 related

  • Donna McDonald

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5 + 1 related

  • Marc Pierce

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5 + 1 related

  • Tom Ray

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5 + 1 related

  • Tom Robinson

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5 + 1 related

  • Vince Rosdahl

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5 + 1 related

  • Dave Stephens

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5 + 1 related

  • Ashlee Strong

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5 + 1 related

  • Todd Walker

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5 + 1 related

  • Michael Wright

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5 + 1 related

The first 25 listed. 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. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2024
    Revenue
    $100,089,143
    Expenses
    $90,084,188
    Contributions
    $64,186,373
    Grants paid
    $9,219,469
  • 2023
    Revenue
    $83,528,636
    Expenses
    $74,173,733
    Contributions
    $55,505,375
    Grants paid
    $5,532,503
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $66,007,163
    Expenses
    $54,864,004
    Contributions
    $53,782,966
    Grants paid
    $4,267,063

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2024 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2023 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2022 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $61,910,976
    Expenses
    $46,105,636
    Assets (EOY)
    $133,708,601

  • 2021 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $68,412,497
    Expenses
    $62,017,586
    Assets (EOY)
    $115,073,136

  • 2020 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $59,005,461
    Expenses
    $53,608,928
    Assets (EOY)
    $104,253,020

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $66,561,688
    Expenses
    $59,791,123
    Assets (EOY)
    $91,465,853

  • 2017 · 990

    Revenue
    $53,266,842
    Expenses
    $47,705,719
    Assets (EOY)
    $91,595,758

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Grants made

  • UTAH DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

    $1,693,707

    2024 LAND PROTECTION

  • USDA FOREST SERVICE

    $1,100,022

    2024 HABITAT STEWARDSHIP

  • USDA FOREST SERVICE

    $762,979

    2022 HABITAT ENHANCEMENT

  • USDA FOREST SERVICE

    $676,300

    2023 HABITAT STEWARDSHIP

  • PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION

    $582,300

    2024 LAND PROTECTION

  • PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION

    $400,000

    2023 LAND PROTECTION

  • NEVADA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE

    $400,000

    2022 LAND PROTECTION

  • TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCES AGENCY

    $358,655

    2024 LAND PROTECTION

  • MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF FISH WILDLIFE & PARKS

    $316,047

    2024 HABITAT STEWARDSHIP

  • COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE

    $281,719

    2024 HABITAT STEWARDSHIP

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Where these grants went next →

Grants received

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Related organizations

From Schedule R Part II, where a filer lists the tax-exempt organizations it is related to by control. It does not record shared board members or money.

Declared on its 2024 return

Declared as related by

Taxable family

From Schedule R Parts I, III and IV: entities that legally are the filer, and taxable partnerships, corporations and trusts it is related to. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money.

Disregarded entities on its 2024 return

  • SLPA LLC

    CONSERVATION · MT · income $6,900,000 · assets $632,683

Related partnerships on its 2024 return

  • OUTDOOR CLASS LLC

    RELATED · EDUCATION · MT · 62.42% owned · share of income -$180,297 · share of assets $2,389,399 · general or managing partner

Related corporations and trusts on its 2024 return

  • CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST (2)

    T · TRUST · MT

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility GROUP.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 1 November 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2024, the newest we have parsed for this organization.