Northern Plains Resource Council

What it reported doing in 2025

Agriculture: We fought for fair market practices and transparent labeling to support Montana's independent ranching families. We successfully supported state legislation for local food procurement and collected over 1,000 signatures to advance livestock market protections and mandatory Country-of-Origin-Labeling (COOL). Healthy Soils: We grew our statewide network of land stewards through the second annual Montana Soil Health Week events and a hands-on Soil Crawl near Lavina. These events brought producers together with experts to find practical ways to improve soil health and land productivity. Good Neighbor Agreement: We maintained a legally binding oversight agreement with the Sibanye-Stillwater Mining Company to safeguard water quality. We celebrated the 25th anniversary of the agreement with the release of a book documenting the history of collaboration. We secured a commitment from the Sibanye-Stillwater Mining Company to increase financial bonding to ensure water quality standards are met throughout mining operations and long-term reclamation. Community cohesion and cultural learning: We focused on building social cohesion by supporting our partners at Western Native Voice in their successful efforts to establish Indigenous Peoples Day in Montana. We continued our Lessons from Indigenous Organizing series featuring native land stewards sharing strategies for relationship-based agriculture. Protecting Montana's Constitution: We hosted a roadshow in partnership with Upper Seven Law designed to educate the public on the importance on an independent, non-partisan judiciary and defending our constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 70.3%; rating input score 70
• Program expense ratio: 82.6%; rating input score 83
• Fundraising efficiency: $12.79 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 44; 44th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 17%; rating input score 68; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.43; rating input score 73; 73rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.02; rating input score 72; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 4.7%; rating input score 59; 59th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.3% per year; rating input score 100; 32nd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.7% per year; rating input score 100; 43rd percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 12.6% per year; rating input score 100; 67th percentile among comparable filings