Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory
Also known as Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory reported $11.1 million in revenue and $9.4 million in expenses for calendar year 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $85.70 went to program services, $11.62 to management and general costs and $2.68 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 88.6% of the total. Government grants made up 61.0%. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $169,000 (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR). 4 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 108% between 2019 and 2025. Source: Form 990, 2025.
Where $100 of spending went
Calendar year 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $9.4MFor context, the median across 245 covered animal-related charities: $83.96 programs, $9.42 management, $6.62 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
Calendar year 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $11M- Contributions & grants (non-government)$27.56 $3.1M
- Government grants$60.84 $6.8M
- Program service revenue$11.35 $1.3M
- Investment income$0.25 $27,446
Other revenue was negative: −$24,318. The bar shows the positive sources only.
The 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | 2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 85.7% | 82.1% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 11.6% | 9.2% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 2.7% | 6.5% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.03 | $0.10 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 88.6% | 67.3% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 61.0% | 0.0% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 11.4% | 19.3% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $169,000 | $314,886 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.80% | 1.63% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 4 | 10 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 8.8 | 26.8 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 13 of 13 | 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
2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseScience - 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…
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
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…
Highest reported compensation
2025 · 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $163,497 | $0 | $5,503 | $169,000 |
| CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $156,168 | $0 | $598 | $156,766 |
| CHIEF CONSERVATION SCIENTIST Officer, 40.00 hrs/week | $138,885 | $0 | $12,471 | $151,356 |
| INFORMATICS PROGRAM MANAGER Highest compensated employee, 40.00 hrs/week | $112,173 | $0 | $12,386 | $124,559 |
4 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $479K (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
2025 · 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–1b13 · 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 18No
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 5168
- Volunteers Part I, line 6177
Largest outside contractors
2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| EVALUACION INTEGRAL Y RESTURACION Program services | $161,391 |
| REGALIS ENVIRONMENTAL LLC Program services | $138,068 |
| BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY Program services | $118,571 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 3 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
2 private foundations reported grants to Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory totaling $40,000 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 Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory spent in 2025, $85.70 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture AssociationSitka, AK · revenue $11M · programs 85.6% · FY2025
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- MuttvilleSan Francisco, CA · revenue $11M · programs 67.5% · 2024
- True CompanionsDenver, CO · revenue $11M · programs 89.9% · 2025
- Humane Animal RescuePittsburgh, PA · revenue $11M · programs 83.4% · 2024
All animal-related charities · Largest charities in Colorado
Questions people ask
How much of Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory's spending goes to programs?
In calendar year 2025, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory reported that 85.7% of its $9.4 million in expenses went to program services, 11.6% to management and general and 2.7% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory reported for one person in calendar year 2025 was $169,000, for the role of EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory get its money?
Of $11.1 million in revenue in calendar year 2025, 88.6% came from contributions and grants (including 61.0% from government grants) and 11.4% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 84-1079882 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
- 2025: Form 990 for calendar year 2025, object 202621289349302492 · read the filing · XML
- 2024: Form 990 for calendar year 2024, object 202511339349304141 · read the filing
- 2023: Form 990 for calendar year 2023, object 202421209349301887 · read the filing
- 2022: Form 990 for calendar year 2022, object 202311329349306681 · read the filing
- 2021: Form 990 for calendar year 2021, object 202211309349302726 · read the filing
- 2020: Form 990 for calendar year 2020, object 202101329349304570 · read the filing
- 2019: Form 990 for calendar year 2019, object 202021769349301132 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 84-1079882: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.