Disable all preview features

Environment : Environmental Protection and Conservation (Grantmaking)

National Forest Foundation

Engage Americans in promoting the health and public enjoyment of our National Forests.

four stars

90.40

Building 27, Suite 3 Fort Missoula Road
Missoula, MT 59804
tel: (406) 542-2805   Web Site
EIN: 52-1786332

Board Leadership
Craig R. Barrett
Chair

CEO
Mary Mitsos
President

 
 
  Score
(out of 100) 		Rating
Overall Score & Rating 90.40 four stars
  Financial 87.04 three stars
  Accountability & Transparency 96.00 four stars
This rating was published 11/01/2019 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?

Our National Forests span 193 million acres from Alaska to Puerto Rico. Truly "The People's Lands," these forests, grasslands, deserts, and snow-capped mountains are our most cherished outdoor spaces that offer unparalleled recreation opportunities. They also support local economies, provide critical natural resources, clean our water and air, and host wildlife. The National Forest Foundation is the only conservation organization solely dedicated to improving these public lands for today's and future generations. Our efficient, effective, and creative approaches to conservation reach millions of Americans annually. We accomplish our work through signature conservation initiatives, tree planting, grant programs as we empower communities to work together and inspire millions of Americans to care for their backyard National Forests.

Our National Forests span 193 million acres from Alaska to Puerto Rico. Truly "The People's Lands," these forests, grasslands, deserts, and snow-capped mountains are our most cherished outdoor spaces that offer unparalleled recreation opportunities. They also support local economies, provide critical natural resources, clean our water and air, and host wildlife. The National Forest Foundation is the only conservation organization solely dedicated to improving these public lands for today's and future generations. Our efficient, effective, and creative approaches to conservation reach millions of Americans annually. We accomplish our work through signature conservation initiatives, tree planting, grant programs as we empower communities to work together and inspire millions of Americans to care for their backyard National Forests.

Impact Information

data icon
GuideStar is Charity Navigator's trusted partner in sharing information on how this organization seeks impact.  GuideStar has recognized this organization with a Platinum Seal of Transparency for voluntarily and publicly sharing information about how they measure their progress and results.  Learn More about Impact Information.
Reported Results
Total in 2018
Acres of natural habitat restored
217,222
Number of trees planted
13,778,500
Number of invasive species removed from managed area(s)
112,912
This organization has earned a GuideStar's Platinum Seal of Transparency by voluntarily sharing the measures of progress and results they use to pursue their mission. Organizations earn Platinum Seals by selecting from a catalog of over 900 expert recognized metrics or by creating a new metric that best fits their work. This information is reported by the organization and displayed publicly on their GuideStar Nonprofit Profile. With over 1.6 million Nonprofit Profiles, 9 million annual visitors and over 200 data partners, GuideStar is the world's leading source of information about nonprofit organizations. A nonprofit itself, GuideStar is dedicated to providing better data for better decisions for a better world.
This impact information is current as of January 2020, when it was provided to us by GuideStar. At this time, Impact information published on this organization's page has no effect on its rating per our methodology.

Learn more about how we calculate the overall score and rating.

Financial

three stars

87.04

Accountability & Transparency

four stars

96.00

This rating was published 11/01/2019 and includes data from FY2018, the most recent 990 received at that time.
Why isn't this based on more recent data?
Overall Rating Chart
  Program Expenses
(Percent of the charity's total expenses spent on the programs
and services it delivers)		 85.1%
  Administrative Expenses 6.2%
  Fundraising Expenses 8.6%
  Fundraising Efficiency $0.09
  Working Capital Ratio (years) 0.99
  Program Expenses Growth 2.0%
  Liabilities to Assets 27.4%
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by National Forest Foundation on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
All data for Financial Performance Metrics calculations was provided by National Forest Foundation on recent 990s filed with the IRS.
Information Provided on the Form 990  
  Independent Voting Board Members
  No Material diversion of assets
  Audited financials prepared by independent accountant
  Does Not Provide Loan(s) to or Receive Loan(s) From related parties
  Documents Board Meeting Minutes
  Provided copy of Form 990 to organization's governing body in advance of filing
  Conflict of Interest Policy
  Whistleblower Policy
  Records Retention and Destruction Policy
  CEO listed with salary
  Process for determining CEO compensation
  Board Listed / Board Members Not Compensated
Is the following information easily accessible on the charity's website?  
  Donor Privacy Policy
  Board Members Listed
  Audited Financials
  Form 990
  Key staff listed

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
National Forest Foundation (MT) 90.40 four stars
The American Chestnut Foundation (NC) 99.08 four stars
Rainforest Foundation US (NY) 94.67 four stars
Rainforest Trust (VA) 100.00 four stars
Stand.earth (CA) 88.89 three stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

REVENUE  
Contributions  
   Contributions, Gifts & Grants $7,756,482
   Federated Campaigns $0
   Membership Dues $0
   Fundraising Events $1,028,804
   Related Organizations $0
   Government Grants $3,250,402
Total Contributions $12,035,688
   Program Service Revenue $2,087,957
Total Primary Revenue $14,123,645
   Other Revenue $-207,847
TOTAL REVENUE $13,915,798
   
EXPENSES  
   Program Expenses $10,692,046
   Administrative Expenses $752,325
   Fundraising Expenses $1,199,163
TOTAL FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES $12,643,534
   
Payments to Affiliates $0
Excess (or Deficit) for the year $1,272,264
   
Net Assets $15,473,558

Program names and associated costs are listed for the top programs as reported on the charity's most recently filed Form 990. The top programs displayed will include the largest three programs, or those programs covering at least 60% of the charity's total expenses, whichever comes first.

Program Name Amount Spent % of Program Expenses
Conservation $5,496,909 51.4%
Forest Service Grants $5,195,137 48.6%

Ratings History
National Forest Foundation has received 5 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator.

Form 990 FYE Date Published Overall Score Overall Rating
CN 2.1
2018-09 11/01/2019 90.40 four stars
2017-09 12/21/2018 93.66 four stars
2016-09 03/01/2018 96.66 four stars
2015-09 11/01/2016 96.46 four stars
2014-09 06/01/2016 96.46 four stars
 
CN 2.0
2014-09 04/01/2016 89.97 three stars
2014-09 09/01/2015 88.84 three stars
2013-09 10/01/2014 86.17 three stars
2013-09 09/01/2014 82.07 three stars
2012-09 10/01/2013 86.50 three stars
2011-09 11/06/2012 87.25 three stars
2010-09 09/20/2011 87.02 three stars
 
CN 1.0
2009-09 05/01/2011 82.25 three stars

The data displayed on this tab is provided by the IRS in the form of Publication 78 and the Business Master File (BMF).

EIN 52-1786332
Name in IRS Master File NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION
NTEE Code N20
NTEE Classification Recreational and Sporting Camps
NTEE Type Recreation, Sports, Leisure, Athletics
Classification Charitable Organization
Subsection 501(c)(3)  (View the list of codes)
Activities (254) Corporation organized under an Act of Congress (see also use (904)
Foundation Status Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public   170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
Deductibility Contributions are deductible
Affiliation Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations).
Group Name [Not Applicable]
Ruling Date July, 1993
Filing Requirement 990 (all other) or 990EZ return
Fiscal Year End September
IRS Forms 990
(provided courtesy of Foundation Center)		 (Log In or Register Now to View Forms 990!)
  • September, 2017
  • September, 2016
  • September, 2015
  • September, 2014
  • September, 2013
Compensation % of Expenses Paid to Title
$194,516 1.53% Mary Mitsos President
Other Salaries of Note
$430,271 3.40% William J. Possiel Former President

Highly Rated

Charity Name & State Overall Score Overall Rating
National Forest Foundation (MT) 90.40 four stars
Rainforest Action Network (CA) 89.83 three stars
Rainforest Trust (VA) 100.00 four stars
Forest Trends (DC) 87.10 three stars
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (NH) 94.12 four stars

Compare These Charities (Highly Rated)

This charity has an official representative registered with Charity Navigator.

Charity Contact Info

National Forest Foundation
Building 27, Suite 3
Fort Missoula Road
Missoula, MT 59804
tel: (406) 542-2805
fax: (406) 542-2810
EIN: 52-1786332

Visit Web Site

Board Leadership

Craig R. Barrett
Chair

CEO

Mary Mitsos
President

please wait...

    • I want to donate to National Forest Foundation

      $
      next

    • Frequency

      back
      next

    • Would you like us to email someone and CC you?

      This email identifies you as the donor but does not specify the amount of your gift.
      back
    A donation of to has been added to your Giving Basket!

    Basket Total:
    Check Out Now or Continue Researching

Join Our Mailing List

Join over 400,000 other informed givers and get updates on charity ratings, new features, hot topics, and tips for donating.

As seen on