Yellowstone Forever
Yellowstone Forever reported $34.5 million in revenue and $25.8 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2026. Of every $100 it spent, $72.60 went to program services, $13.51 to management and general costs and $13.89 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 72.8% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $328,716 (PRESIDENT & CEO). 15 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 140% between FY2020 and FY2026. Source: Form 990, FY2026.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending February 28, 2026 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $26MFor context, the median across 371 covered environment charities: $85.82 programs, $10.80 management, $3.38 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending February 28, 2026 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $34MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2026 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 72.6% | 83.6% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 13.5% | 10.5% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 13.9% | 3.3% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.14 | $0.03 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 72.8% | 87.6% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 4.8% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 5.9% | 3.2% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $328,716 | $293,532 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.27% | 1.74% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 15 | 7 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 36.5 | 18.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 13 of 14 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2026 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseYellowstone Forever funds priority projects that protect yellowstone's ecosystem and wildlife, preserve the park's heritage, history, and trails and enhance visitor experiences and education. Wildlife grant funding supported native fish restoration; grizzly bear, wolf and cougar research; and a variety of species of birds that are critical to yellowstone's natural ecosystem. In partnership with the national park service (nps) and through tribal consultation, Yellowstone Forever (yf) leads the operations and programming of the yellowstone tribal heritage center. Located at old faithful, the…
Yellowstone Forever (yf) offers transformative educational programming that fosters a deep connection to the wildlife, geology, and cultural history of yellowstone national park. Our extensive array of programs provides unparalleled opportunities for individuals of all ages to experience and appreciate yellowstone. Collaborating closely with the national park service (nps), we ensure the highest quality educational experiences with the intent to create future stewards who are deeply committed to preserving and protecting this iconic national treasure. This year, approximately 4,273 visitors…
Yellowstone Forever (yf) had over 327,673 transactions at 11 stores (9 in the park, 1 in gardiner, mt and 1 at quake lake visitor center). Visitors to yellowstone national park and the surrounding area purchased trip planning materials, educational games, art, apparel, outdoor gear, books, and collectibles. Several of the items sold are one-of-a-kind or produced directly by yf. All items sold by yf in the stores are approved by the national park service and help foster a deeper understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of yellowstone and its surrounding ecosystem. Every purchase supports…
Highest reported compensation
FY2026 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESIDENT & CEO Director/trustee, officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $299,182 | $0 | $29,534 | $328,716 |
| CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $184,197 | $0 | $24,782 | $208,979 |
| CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $159,881 | $0 | $24,904 | $184,785 |
| CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $168,079 | $0 | $16,520 | $184,599 |
| CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $153,310 | $0 | $24,517 | $177,827 |
| CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $137,102 | $0 | $22,343 | $159,445 |
| IT DIRECTOR Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $123,955 | $0 | $21,379 | $145,334 |
| DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $128,222 | $0 | $14,870 | $143,092 |
15 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Yellowstone Forever (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $1.1M (Part IX, line 5).
7 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2026 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b14 · 13 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4No
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18Yes
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bNo
- Employees Part I, line 5150
- Volunteers Part I, line 699
Largest outside contractors
FY2026 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| RIVERSIDE CABINS LLC Cabins for ynp housing project | $3,002,395 |
| JTR EXCAVATION LLC Site work for park projects | $2,232,920 |
| BIG BEAR CONTRACTING LLC Site work for park projects | $1,483,990 |
| RWT PRODUCTION LLC Direct mail and data processing | $859,990 |
| ROBERT PECCIA AND ASSOCIATES INC Civil engineering for park projects | $774,642 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 12 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
81 private foundations reported grants to Yellowstone Forever totaling $903K on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Yellowstone Forever's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Yellowstone Forever, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Yellowstone Forever spent in FY2026, $72.60 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Elemental ExceleratorHonolulu, HI · revenue $34M · programs 78.1% · 2024
- Grand Traverse Regional Land ConservancyTraverse City, MI · revenue $34M · programs 88.9% · FY2025
- The Barn Group Land TrustBrooks, GA · revenue $34M · programs 84.8% · 2024
- OceanaWashington, DC · revenue $35M · programs 72.9% · 2024
- CeresBoston, MA · revenue $34M · programs 80.4% · FY2025
Questions people ask
How much of Yellowstone Forever's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending February 28, 2026, Yellowstone Forever reported that 72.6% of its $25.8 million in expenses went to program services, 13.5% to management and general and 13.9% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Yellowstone Forever pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Yellowstone Forever reported for one person in the fiscal year ending February 28, 2026 was $328,716, for the role of PRESIDENT & CEO (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Yellowstone Forever get its money?
Of $34.5 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending February 28, 2026, 72.8% came from contributions and grants and 5.9% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Yellowstone Forever a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 47-5427975 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2026: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2026, object 202641909349301624 · read the filing · XML
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2025, object 202531899349301273 · read the filing
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending February 29, 2024, object 202401839349300100 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2023, object 202331729349300628 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2022, object 202241969349301914 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending February 28, 2021, object 202141959349302039 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending February 29, 2020, object 202140159349300709 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 47-5427975: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.