American Prairie Foundation
Also known as American Prairie
American Prairie Foundation reported $44.7 million in revenue and $15.4 million in expenses for calendar year 2024. Of every $100 it spent, $54.15 went to program services, $36.09 to management and general costs and $9.76 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 97.5% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $357,245 (CEO). 8 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 167% between 2019 and 2024. Source: Form 990, 2024.
Where $100 of spending went
Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $15MFor 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
Calendar year 2024 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $45MOther revenue was negative: −$225K. The bar shows the positive sources only.
The 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | 2024 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 54.2% | 83.6% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 36.1% | 10.5% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 9.8% | 3.3% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.03 | $0.03 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 97.5% | 87.6% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 4.8% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 0.0% | 3.2% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $357,245 | $293,532 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 2.33% | 1.74% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 158.1 | 18.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 18 of 19 | 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
2024 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseRewilding and habitat stewardship: American Prairie is rewilding a vast grassland to support ecologically meaningful wildlife populations. Since 2004, we have completed 43 transactions to conserve 526,959 acres of prairie habitat adjacent to the 1.1 million-acre charles m. Russell national wildlife refuge - together forming the largest protected area in the great plains. Our bison herd, established in 2005, now numbers around 850 animals and contributes to riparian and rangeland health and greater wildlife diversity.continued on schedule o . . .we are also working to restore other keystone…
External communications: American Prairie strives to work collaboratively and to make positive contributions to the communities around US, both economic and cultural, by building meaningful relationships with local groups and leaders in and around the seven-county region where American Prairie operates. The national discovery center in lewistown is a social and educational hub providing meaningful community resources and connections in central montana.continued on schedule o . . .sharing stories from the prairie is a priority, and our marketing efforts have been focused on showcasing the…
Visitor experience and education: American Prairie provides public access to more than 140,000 acres of deeded land, along with seamless access to an additional 386,000 acres of adjacent public land. This expansive landscape supports thriving wildlife habitat and offers outstanding opportunities for hiking, hunting, and wildlife viewing. By ensuring public access to these lands, American Prairie invites people to explore and connect with the prairie ecosystem, with the promise that each visit will reveal a wilder, more vibrant landscape. Continued on schedule o . . . In addition to land…
Highest reported compensation
2024 · 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEO Director/trustee, officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $331,200 | $0 | $26,045 | $357,245 |
| CHIEF EXTERNAL RELATIONS OFFICER Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $217,067 | $0 | $20,951 | $238,018 |
| CHIEF OPERATIONS & FINANCE OFFICER Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $200,235 | $0 | $17,833 | $218,068 |
| CHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER Key employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $156,649 | $0 | $18,956 | $175,605 |
| CHIEF CONSERVATION OFFICER Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $130,674 | $0 | $20,682 | $151,356 |
| DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $127,645 | $0 | $11,478 | $139,123 |
| DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE AND CULTURE Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $124,189 | $0 | $11,460 | $135,649 |
| DIRECTOR OF EVENTS Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $106,957 | $0 | $13,228 | $120,185 |
8 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from American Prairie Foundation (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $989K (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
2024 · 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–1b19 · 18 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 2Yes
- 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 4Yes
- 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 572
- Volunteers Part I, line 634
Largest outside contractors
2024 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| AMERICAN PUBLIC LAND EXCHANGE INC Real estate commission | $293,830 |
| SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL ZOO & CONSERVATION Spacial ecology work | $150,545 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 4 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
18 private foundations reported grants to American Prairie Foundation totaling $3.4M 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 American Prairie Foundation's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for American Prairie Foundation, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 American Prairie Foundation spent in 2024, $54.15 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- American Conservation ExperienceFlagstaff, AZ · revenue $45M · programs 89.8% · 2024
- International Centre for Research in AgroforestryAlexandria, VA · revenue $45M · programs 87.0% · 2024
- Climate ARCDover, DE · revenue $44M · programs 81.8% · 2024
- The Conservancy of Southwest FloridaNaples, FL · revenue $45M · programs 70.5% · FY2025
- Land Trust of Santa Cruz CountySanta Cruz, CA · revenue $44M · programs 93.7% · FY2025
Questions people ask
How much of American Prairie Foundation's spending goes to programs?
In calendar year 2024, American Prairie Foundation reported that 54.2% of its $15.4 million in expenses went to program services, 36.1% to management and general and 9.8% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does American Prairie Foundation pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation American Prairie Foundation reported for one person in calendar year 2024 was $357,245, for the role of CEO (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does American Prairie Foundation get its money?
Of $44.7 million in revenue in calendar year 2024, 97.5% came from contributions and grants and 0.0% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is American Prairie Foundation a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 81-0541893 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. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- 2024: Form 990 for calendar year 2024, object 202511339349301666 · read the filing · XML
- 2023: Form 990 for calendar year 2023, object 202431289349302633 · read the filing
- 2022: Form 990 for calendar year 2022, object 202302149349301210 · read the filing
- 2021: Form 990 for calendar year 2021, object 202213129349304091 · read the filing
- 2020: Form 990 for calendar year 2020, object 202141329349300644 · read the filing
- 2019: Form 990 for calendar year 2019, object 202001299349301645 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 81-0541893: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.