Report 2024— 2025 Annual
Letters
From the President & CEO and Board Chair
We are proud to share Yellowstone Forever’s 2024-2025 Annual Report with you. This report is a direct reflection of your tremendous generosity and our collective work to protect, preserve, and enhance the world’s first national park.
Working in close alignment with Yellowstone National Park, and as a direct result of our fundraising success over the past year, Yellowstone Forever funded 31 priority park projects. This included critical financial support for wildlife conservation, youth education and outreach, and bold new housing initiatives. Our funding elevates vital park initiatives, enabling groundbreaking programs like the Yellowstone Wolf Project’s bioacoustics study, which leverages cuttingedge technology to deepen our understanding of wildlife.
This past year we expanded Tribal engagement and outreach, hosting the first Voices of Yellowstone: First Peoples Celebration, bringing storytelling
and cultural exchange to an even broader stage. Through the Yellowstone Forever Institute, we offered nearly 400 programs for visitors of all ages, helping over 4,500 individuals deepen their connection to Yellowstone and the natural world.
As we look to the future, we are excited about the increased reach and impact we can achieve together. Our new strategic plan will be instrumental in guiding this growth in support of Yellowstone National Park. We don’t do this work alone—our success is thanks in large part to our dedicated leadership and staff, including volunteers, passionate park champions, and an extraordinary team in Yellowstone.
We deeply appreciate your support. You play a pivotal role in the future of Yellowstone National Park, and together, we can ensure this extraordinary place endures forever, for everyone.
With gratitude,
Lisa Diekmann President & CEO
Yellowstone Forever
Doug Spencer Board Chair
Yellowstone Forever
From the Superintendent
As we reflect on the past year, I am inspired by all that we have achieved, together, to continue to ensure that Yellowstone remains resilient today, tomorrow, and for years to come.
Yellowstone Forever, the park’s official nonprofit partner, continues to provide essential financial and in-kind support for Yellowstone’s most pressing needs. Thanks to this partnership, we have made significant progress across a wide range of initiatives that protect the park’s natural resources, enhance visitor experiences, and foster education and stewardship.
Over the past year, this partnership has helped advance critical efforts, including:
• Housing improvements— continued investment in up-to-date park staff housing is helping to ensure a stable and sustainable workforce, improving retention and morale across park operations.
• Wildlife research—support for the study of bears, wolves, cougars, bison, and dozens of other species who call the park home, including the longstanding support of the Native Fish Conservation Project, which protects Yellowstone’s aquatic ecosystems and native species.
• Educational programs— connecting visitors of all ages to the park’s wonders, fostering stewardship and lifelong learning.
• Collaborative conservation efforts—bringing together scientists, educators, partners, and donors to address challenges and seize opportunities across the park. These outcomes are a testament to the power of partnership and shared purpose. Your continued dedication and support are essential to Yellowstone’s future. It is our collective commitment that makes this extraordinary work possible.
Sincerely,
Cam Sholly Superintendent
Yellowstone National Park
Protect Yellowstone’s Ecosystem &Wildlife
Remote Cameras Reveal the Secretive Lives of Cougars
At the heart of Yellowstone’s Cougar Project lies a powerful tool for understanding these elusive predators: a vast network of remote trail cameras strategically placed across the park’s northern range (140 cameras in total). These cameras are an essential component of the research and monitoring work, providing critical data and extraordinary imagery of the elusive cats and their young in their natural habitat. A majority of the trail cameras used by the Cougar Project have been generously donated by the fStop Foundation to directly support this work in the park.
Combined with a variety of genetic collection surveys and radio collars, the team has made significant strides in understanding how this apex predator fits within the Yellowstone ecosystem.
“ The fStop Foundation has been a key partner in advancing the Yellowstone Cougar Project’s non-invasive monitoring and research program for cougars and other wildlife. Through their support, we have incorporated remote cameras, which are powerful tools to leverage photography and video footage for valuable scientific data and inspiring storytelling.”
– Daniel R. Stahler, Supervisory Wildlife Biologist, Yellowstone Center for Resources.
Protecting the Park’s Grizzlies and Black Bears, One Bear-Box at a Time
These 300-pound bear-boxes are spread out over 2,000 roadside campsites throughout Yellowstone National Park.
If you’ve camped in Yellowstone, you’ve likely seen the rugged, brown, steel boxes stationed at campsites. These bear-proof food storage boxes are more than just metal containers; they’re a critical line of defense in keeping Yellowstone’s bears wild and visitors safe.
Each summer, teams of dedicated Youth Conservation Corps crews take on the challenge of installing these 300-pound boxes across the park’s 2,000 roadside campsites. Donning yellow hard hats, work gloves, and sturdy shoes, youth must work as a team, using new skills. It’s tough, physical work, but
for many, it’s the most rewarding part of their experience. They’re not just building boxes—they’re building a legacy of stewardship and safety.
Tested against the raw power of grizzlies at the Grizzly Bear Discovery Center, these boxes are proven to withstand nature’s fiercest force and prevent bears from accessing human food. And, there’s good news! We are 79% to our goal of having bear boxes installed at every park campsite. Together, we’re making Yellowstone safer for both bears and people —one box at a time.
As part of the Volunteers-in-Parks (VIP) program, Yellowstone Forever staff rolled up their sleeves to install bear boxes, working shoulderto-shoulder with park personnel. Guided by the expertise of park staff, the team turned commitment into action—making a tangible difference in protecting wildlife.
Bison Conservation and Transfer Program: Stories from the Herd
The Bison Conservation and Transfer Program requires a dedicated team and hard physical work to accomplish the goal of restoring Yellowstone bison to Tribal Nations. Park biologists shared one story that stood out this last year:
On day one, we loaded a semi-truck and some trailers, and the team set off for Fort Peck. But when they arrived, it was dark, and the bison didn’t want to get off the truck. So, we left it in the pasture overnight, and once everyone left, the animals slowly made their way out in the morning. The driver got ready to head back that afternoon, and suddenly the weather forecast changed—an ice storm was expected to hit the northern half of the state by the next morning.
The driver called to ask if he could “deadhead” it back to the park, load up again at dusk, and drive straight through the night back to Fort Peck—800 miles in one day—with some of the most valuable bison on the planet. He brought in four other drivers to help share the load through the night. The plan could work as long as he made it back to the park before dark to load the animals. But he didn’t quite make it. We had enough time to start loading a few animals onto the truck, but then it got dark.
We’ve never worked with wild bison in the pens after dark, let alone tried to load them onto trucks. You have to get into the pens with them, see them, understand their movement to guide them. It was just me and the day-to-day manager of the facility, and we’ve been doing this together for 20 years. By the time we got the last animal loaded, it was pitch black, and we were covered in mud—because now, in the middle of January, it was warm and raining.
More than 400 miles later, they pulled into Fort Peck at 5:00 in the morning. The driver texted me every hour along the way to let me know everything was going well. As the sun came up, the animals unloaded just fine, and in a day and a half, we managed to move all 116 bison—just ahead of the ice storm that ended up shutting down that whole region of the state for the next three days.
Bison Project Tribal Internship Program
The Bison Tribal Internship Program provides an opportunity for selected participants to work alongside Yellowstone’s bison management team to gain knowledge and experience in conserving bison. These skills are taken back to their Tribes to further support the reestablishment of Yellowstone bison on Tribal lands throughout
North America. Yellowstone Forever, working with the InterTribal Buffalo Council (ITBC), supports this important program.
Justin James, a member of the Pawnee Nation, joined the park’s bison team in the summer of 2024. An organic regenerative farmer, Justin also works at a cattle sale barn in Oklahoma. For six months,
he worked alongside National Park Service bison staff learning highly technical skills. He became the first intern trusted to work alone in the facility, handling tasks like moving bison between pastures as part of their daily care. Justin also learned how to collect brucellosis samples, run bison through squeeze chutes, feed the animals, weld, and repair fences.
Mikiya Reuther, a member of Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes, built upon her internship experience and has since become the Wildlife Biologist for the InterTribal Buffalo Council.
“ This internship provided me with some of the most significant experiences of my life, both professionally and culturally. It encouraged me to continue pursuing work with buffalo, particularly in the context of Tribal buffalo restoration. The opportunity this internship presented opened many doors for me, allowing me to transition into a full-time, permanent position with ITBC, where I am so privileged to play a role in Tribal buffalo restoration, providing assistance to a nationwide membership of over 80 Tribal Nations.”
“Living and working in Yellowstone is truly an experience unlike any other,” Reuther shared. “I will continue to look back on this experience as a defining point in my life, that has put me on a path rooted in buffalo restoration for the land and people.”
Native Fish Conservation
If you’ve ever watched a Yellowstone cutthroat trout rise to a perfectly cast fly, you know the thrill it brings. Just as exhilarating is the sight of a grizzly bear hauling its latest catch from the shores of Yellowstone Lake, or an osprey diving with precision to snatch a trout from the water. But the significance of this project extends far beyond the fish themselves. As a keystone species, cutthroat trout are a vital food source for many of Yellowstone’s mammals and birds, playing a crucial role in the park’s ecological balance.
“It’s amazing—the cutthroat are running up spawning streams again, and we’re having bear activity like we haven’t seen in quite a long time on these streams, because they’re feeding on these cutthroat,” says Todd Koel, lead biologist for the Native Fish Conservation Program. He also notes that bald eagles are back and that ospreys are starting to return too. “From an angler’s perspective, the fishing is unbelievable. The fish are huge and numerous.”
NATIVE FISH BY THE NUMBERS
In 2024, the program caught 264,000 invasive lake trout, contributing to a remarkable total of over 4.9 million caught since the park began gillnetting in 1995.
For more than 20 years, Yellowstone Forever has funded the Native Fish Conservation Program and the successful elimination of millions of nonnative lake trout. This critical work is ongoing and imperative to the integrity of Yellowstone’s lakes, streams, and tributaries.
“ We wouldn’t be here without Yellowstone Forever’s help,” says Koel, who added that Yellowstone Forever also funds the park’s 21-year-old Fly Fishing Volunteer program, which further contributes to native fish research. As part of the program, volunteer anglers travel from all around the country to wade into Yellowstone’s rivers, creeks, and lakes and ‘fly fish for science’ by recording the data from the fish they catch.
The park has reduced the number of predatory lake trout by about 90 percent, giving the Yellowstone cutthroat trout a chance to recover.
Westslope cutthroat trout or Arctic grayling, or both, have been restored to 67.2 miles of stream and 281 acres of lake in the park’s Gallatin and Madison watersheds in the past two decades.
Honoring Indigenous Voices: Tribal Engagement in Yellowstone
Yellowstone Forever’s Tribal engagement work honors and amplifies the voices of the 27 Tribes associated with Yellowstone National Park—nations whose connections to this land span thousands of years.
This work creates space for Indigenous-led education, cultural exchange, and relationship-building in the park, ensuring Yellowstone’s story is told with authenticity, depth, and respect. This past year, visitors experienced those connections in vivid, personal ways. At the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center, 36 presenters from 17 associated Tribes shared their art, music, stories, and traditions over 138 artist days. More than 311,000 people stopped to engage, ask questions, and listen—creating 11,789 contact hours of cultural exchange. A beadwork artist might explain how each stitch carries meaning passed down through generations. A flutist may play a song their grandparents taught them, the notes carrying out into the summer air. One afternoon, a visitor paused after hearing a creation story and quietly said it was the first time they had heard an Indigenous account of Yellowstone’s history. These moments—personal, unplanned, and lasting—are the heartbeat of the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center.
36 PRESENTERS FROM 17 ASSOCIATED TRIBES, OVER 138 ARTIST DAYS.
MORE THAN 311,000 PEOPLE STOPPED TO ENGAGE CREATING 11,789 CONTACT HOURS OF CULTURAL EXCHANGE.
The first Voices of Yellowstone: First Peoples Celebration brought this storytelling and cultural exchange to an even broader stage. Each day and night of the event offered ways to connect with Indigenous traditions: illuminated teepees glowing under the theme Building Bridges of Peace; the beat of the drum and swirl of regalia at cultural demonstrations in Arch Park; the Native Art Market, where artists shared work that blended heritage with contemporary expression; and traditional Native Games that invited visitors and locals a like to learn by playing. Guided cultural tours co-led by Native experts and Yellowstone Forever educators offered fresh insight into Yellowstone’s Indigenous heritage, while the community potluck—hosted in partnership with the Gardiner Chamber of Commerce—closed the week with shared food, laughter, and connection. The celebration was more than an event; it was a living expression of resilience, creativity, and unity that left a deep impression on all who attended.
Another milestone was the launch of Yellowstone Winter Camp in partnership with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. In the stillness of the winter landscape, Tribal youth and elders came together for a week of cultural learning and connection. Mornings were spent hiking out to geothermal areas, where elders shared traditional knowledge about the plants and wildlife that thrive there. Afternoons brought hands-on skills like cooking meals with traditional ingredients. Evenings were for storytelling—voices carrying wisdom and humor in equal measure, the glow of a fire reflecting in the eyes of both the young and the old. For the youth, it was more than a program; it was a living classroom in the heart of a homeland.
“ The Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center continues to be a place of connection—where Indigenous voices, histories, and lifeways are shared directly with the public. Each season deepens the relationships between Tribes and the park, and it is a powerful reminder that these are not stories of the past, but of living cultures with enduring presence and purpose in this landscape.” Alyssa McGeeley, Yellowstone Forever Tribal Engagement Manager and member of the Muscogee Tribe from Oklahoma
From the intimate conversations at the Yellowstone Tribal Heritage Center, to the park-wide celebration of Voices of Yellowstone, to the deep learning of Yellowstone Winter Camp, 2024 was a year of building relationships, sharing traditions, and creating opportunities for visitors to connect with the park’s living Indigenous heritage. These experiences ensured that Indigenous voices were not only present in Yellowstone, but central to how its stories were told and experienced—shaping how countless visitors will remember their time in this extraordinary place.
A Bold Investment in Employee Housing
Attracting and retaining dedicated National Park Service employees begins with meeting a fundamental need: housing .
Yellowstone National Park, in partnership with Yellowstone Forever, launched a transformative modular housing initiative—an ambitious, multi-phase project with up to $50 million in funding grants from the National Park Foundation.
These high-quality modular homes are more than just structures; they represent a commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and the well-being of those who care for one of America’s most iconic landscapes. Built in controlled environments, these units minimize construction waste, maximize energy efficiency, and bypass seasonal delays, allowing for rapid deployment across the park.
Yellowstone National Park engaged staff across all divisions and levels of the park to ensure that housing will be tailored to the needs of permanent and seasonal employees, from single employees to families with children. Homes are being designed with appropriate environmental and aesthetic considerations.
Phase I of the project has been completed and included architectural and engineering development and design for all housing planned over the next several years. Construction on the initial eight units began in the spring of 2025.
The photos say it all: beautiful, functional spaces that finally give park employees a place to truly call home.
Ranger Horses & Mules
Stumpy, Sheriff, Shiner, Buckeye, Driftwood, Rowboat, and Rye are just some of the key teammates of Yellowstone’s park rangers.
This remarkable team of about 20 horses and 30 mules are saddled up for service and work tirelessly throughout the backcountry to transport people and equipment, such as chainsaws, saws, axes, and other supplies. These animals are critical to park operations, which include mounted patrols, trail work, and research studies.
The work of backcountry rangers with these animals includes a lot more than just trail clearing. The ranger stock also assists the park’s law enforcement and wildlife management teams, including fisheries, bear, wolf, birds, and ungulates, to assist with their needs.
By the fall, the rangers, horses, and mules are “legged up” and have likely traveled up to 150 miles both on and off trail in a week of patrolling.
“ We’re very lucky to have reliable horses and mules to work with in Yellowstone’s backcountry. They multiply our work capacity by miles covered and by pounds carried and they often know our trails better than we do,” Josiah Funk, Yellowstone’s Horse Handler Supervisor shared.
Vital to this work is the ability for the park to purchase quality horses and mules (stock) and reduce the average working life of the animals to 16 years, minimizing the potential for injury.
Anticipating the need to have a greater presence throughout the park’s backcountry, the goal is to increase the park’s herd to 120 head in the coming years.
BACKCOUNTRY RANGERS RODE
3,954 MILES OF TRAIL IN FIVE MONTHS
HORSES AND MULES HELPED TRAIL CREWS CLEAR 4,000 MILES OF TRAIL
15 HEAD OF NEW STOCK WERE PURCHASED IN 2024: 7 HORSES AND 8 MULES
Living History: The Yellowstone Heritage & Research Center
Housing an incredible array of museum collection items, archives, rare books, a library, and more, Yellowstone’s Heritage & Research Center (HRC) is as vast and varied as the park itself. Highlights from the collection include early sketches and personal items of famed painter Thomas Moran, archeological objects such as obsidian arrowheads, correspondences from the likes of John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt, historic vehicles, early souvenirs, and so much more.
This past year, the HRC team put together an incredible in-person and online exhibit titled Yellowstone National Park: Travel through Time. The exhibit explored travel through Yellowstone from the earliest Native American Tribes to present-day visitors. The exhibit also examined how the area has been managed over time, how visitors tour the park on land, water, and snow, and how the park uses technology to steward the land and protect its visitors as the means of travel continues to evolve.
The Yellowstone Heritage & Research Center is home to a variety of historical vehicles from 1885 on, including:
15 MOTORIZED VEHICLES
13 WAGONS , INCLUDING STAGECOACHES, ROAD GRADER, TALLY-HO, AND SURREY
7 FIRE HOSE CARTS
Enhance
Resiliency Project: Supporting National Park Service Staff
Yellowstone National Park is committed to fostering a healthy, supportive work-life environment for employees throughout the park.
As first responders to critical incidents—including accidents and natural disasters—National Park Service staff face immense emotional and physical challenges. Thanks to Yellowstone Forever’s support, the park has been able to proactively connect employees with mental health professionals. This initiative strengthens resilience, boosts performance and retention, and contributes to a more positive and sustainable workplace culture.
This critical project provides funding to bring in trained, trauma-informed therapists on a regular basis to provide clinical hours to employees and prioritize individual and collective mental wellness in Yellowstone.
These counseling sessions are well attended, and the Resiliency Project has:
SERVED 193 EMPLOYEES THROUGH COUNSELOR-LED WELLNESS WORKSHOPS OR DEBRIEFS
WORKED WITH 211 EMPLOYEES IN OTHER YELLOWSTONE RESILIENCY PROJECT ACTIVITIES SUCH AS TRAININGS, MEETINGS, AND WORKSHOPS
“I am so grateful for the Yellowstone Resiliency Project and how it’s made therapy so accessible. The counselors came to Yellowstone at a time when I desperately needed mental health support services but felt too daunted by the task of finding a counselor on my own.”
“ This program has helped myself and my coworkers since it started in 2022. We all live, work, and play with one another so it was imperative to have someone from the outside to talk to. They’ve helped me with work, my family, my coworkers, grief, and also trauma. This is very important to us here at Old Faithful because we’re so removed from the other parts of the park/society”
Lifelong Impact: Youth Conservation Corps
The benefits of Yellowstone’s Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) are far-reaching and varied. Youth ages 15-18 from all walks of life across the country travel to Yellowstone to Work, Learn, Play, and Grow in the world’s first national park. Teens selected to attend this program not only complete valuable work in the park such as trail restoration, bear box installation, and social science studies, but they also come away with new skills, selfconfidence, and an appreciation for the complexities of caring for a national park. Some have even gone on to pursue careers in related fields.
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity. I didn’t realize until I got here just how much my life was going to change so quickly and how much impact this experience was going to have on me. I think this is something I am going to look back on in the future and really appreciate.”
—Catie, Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps Enrollee
YCC was a wonderful introduction to Yellowstone. The work was physically demanding, but it was so rewarding to physically see what we had accomplished during the day and know that we played a small but important role protecting and improving this place that so many people love. It was even more rewarding to see the impact YCC had on my crewmembers. Many enrollees came to the program with little experience working with hand tools, camping in bear country, or even cooking for themselves or otherwise being self-reliant. Watching their growth over the course of five weeks was inspiring. I’ve had the privilege of introducing many people to Yellowstone over the last few years, but that first season with YCC still feels so impactful.
Yellowstone Forever’s Field Education Manager, Sam Archibald
Yellowstone as a YCC Crew Leader and discovered a passion for the park, ecology, and conservation.
Transformational Education: Expedition Yellowstone
Since 1986, Expedition Yellowstone has provided life-changing experiences for students grades 4-8 in one of the world’s premiere outdoor classrooms: Yellowstone National Park.
Last year, one of the school groups hosted on this residential program was from the small community of Meeteetse, Wyoming. During their four days in the park, the 4th, 5th, and 6th graders gained a greater understanding of ecology and geology, as well as a deep respect for nature. They especially relished the opportunity to participate in an ecology hike with park rangers, as well as learning about Leave No Trace principles.
Their teacher shared how much she appreciated that Expedition Yellowstone gave her students the opportunity to “apply the things we’ve been learning in class in the real world.” The students were excited to take this knowledge home to Meeteetse and share with others. They are also planning a community clean up and have been talking about Leave No Trace behaviors with others.
One of the students shared, “I absolutely loved Expedition Yellowstone. Even though I have lived in Big Horn Basin my whole life, Yellowstone is amazing. I loved all of it. The hot springs, the ecosystem, the geology, and everything else. I learned a lot more than I thought.”
DURING THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR, 40 SCHOOL GROUPS PARTICIPATED IN EXPEDITION YELLOWSTONE
21 OF THE 40 TOTAL SCHOOL GROUPS RECEIVED PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDED BY YELLOWSTONE FOREVER FUNDING
Yellowstone Institute: Inspiring Deeper Connections Through Education
Yellowstone Forever’s Institute is Yellowstone’s premier provider of immersive, in-park education for participants of all ages—offering experiences that move people beyond simply seeing the park to truly understanding it. Each program is built to spark insight, foster curiosity, and create lasting connections to the park’s landscapes, wildlife, and cultural stories. Yellowstone Forever educators combine expertise with a passion for teaching, ensuring every moment in the field is both memorable and meaningful.
One powerful example of this work is Yellowstone Chicago, a donor-funded program that brings high school students from the Chicago area—many of whom have never set foot in a national
park—into Yellowstone for a week of discovery. For these students, the days are filled with firsts: standing under a sky dense with stars, watching bison graze at sunrise, hearing the sudden rush of a geyser erupt. One student lingered outside on the final night, quietly counting shooting stars and saying they had never imagined a sky could look like that. Another surprised themselves by climbing to the top of a steep trail, turning to see bison far below, and declaring it “the best view of my life.” Throughout the week, these young people tested their limits, discovered new skills, and began to see the natural world—and their own potential—in ways that will stay with them for years.
383 INSTITUTE PROGRAMS DELIVERED 4,579 PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED
Junior Ranger Program Fosters Love for Natural World
“As a Junior Ranger, I promise to learn all I can to help preserve and protect Yellowstone’s wildlife, history, and natural features. When I return home, I will teach others how to protect the natural world.”
Few moments are as heartwarming as watching a child receive their Junior Ranger badge from a National Park Service ranger. It’s more than just their excitement and sense of pride in earning the badge—it represents a meaningful connection they’ve formed with Yellowstone and the natural world. One of the most popular and beloved activities in Yellowstone National Park (both for children and the young at heart), Yellowstone Forever supports all facets of the program, including the annual printing of Junior Ranger booklets and Junior Ranger badges.
Whether someone is visiting for the first time or returning for a deeper dive, the Institute offers experiences that leave them seeing the park, and their relationship to it, in a whole new way.
75,895 TOTAL CONTACT HOURS
“Both of our boys (then ages 8 and 10) earned Junior Ranger badges when we visited Yellowstone. They loved it (we did too)! Great program.” —John, parent from Washington
Financials
Financials
Statement of Activities Statement of Financial Position
For the Year Ended February 28, 2025
REVENUES AND SUPPORT
Educational product sales, net of discounts
Less cost of goods sold
Educational product sales, net
Contributions and gifts*
In-kind contributions
Educational tuition and fees
Investment (loss) earnings, net
Other revenues
Total revenues before releases
Net assets released from restriction
Total revenues and support
EXPENSES
Program Services:
National Park Service grants
Educational product sales
Educational programming
Total program service
Supporting Services: Philanthropic fund development
Administration
Total supporting services
Total expenses
Change in net assets
Net assets, beginning of year
Net assets, end of year
*These amounts include the funds received for the Yellowstone Employee Housing Fund. Please see page 12 to learn more.
As of February 28, 2025
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Donor-restricted cash for park projects*
Accounts & dividends receivable
Pledges receivable, net
Inventory
Prepaid expenses
Total current assets
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Investments
Property and equipment, net
Pledges receivable, net of current portion
Intangible assets, net
Total non-current assets
Total assets
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Deferred revenue
Grants payable
Total liabilities
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS NET ASSETS
Without donor restrictions: Undesignated
Designated for Park Projects
Designated for Capital Projects Designated for Operating Reserve
With donor restrictions
Total net assets
Total liabilities and net assets $7,334,059 39,788,807 228,396 1,500,206 1,339,557 335,442 50,526,467 8,937,700 9,618,988 1,407,427 23,654 19,987,769 $70,514,236 $1,051,418 346,346 13,674 1,411,438 15,483,442 991,128 1,767,000 7,970,314 42,890,914 69,102,798 $70,514,236
Support & Revenue
Annual Fund
$4,218,116
$1,584,134
$22,960,258
$4,954,857
$797,263
$179,905
$296,940
Aid to Yellowstone National Park
Sustainability
$1,353,423
Native Fish Conservation
$1,053,657
Trails & Boardwalks
$852,840
Other Projects
$641,652
Wolf Project
$579,587
Other Wildlife & Ecosystem
$318,866
Bear Conservation
$257,208
Visitor & Youth Education
$256,007
Tribal Engagement
$240,824
Park Ranger Projects
$234,798
Cougar Project
$134,746
Bison Conservation
$82,476
Donors
Individual Donors
* In-Kind Support
** In-Kind and Cash
We are grateful for all our donors. Every effort has been made to ensure that this list of gifts received March 1, 2024 –February 28, 2025, is accurate and complete.
Please contact us at 406-848-2400 or supporters@yellowstone.org if a name has been omitted or otherwise improperly reported so we can correct our records.
$1,000,000+
Anonymous
Annie and Bob Graham
$300,000 - $999,999
Anonymous (2)
Richard Adkerson
Debbie and Albon Head**
$50,000 - $299,999
Greg and Anne Avis
Christie and Clint Bybee
Anne Duncan
Steve and Beverlynn Elliott
Elizabeth and Fin Ewing
Don Freitag
Carolyn and Scott Heppel
Rose Hochner Nelson and Robby Nelson
Jeanne Claire and David Jones
Michael and Elizabeth King
Chris Knapp
Danielle and Christopher Koch
Jeffrey Lerner
Suzanne and Patrick McGee
Cécile and Marc Noël
Janet and David Offensend
Kari and Nicholas Olds
Nancy Perot
Allie and David Peacock
Lyn and Bill Reed
Catherine and Will Rose
Kathleen Parrish and Doug Spencer
Cat and Greg Stevens
Elizabeth and Carl Webb
$25,000 - $49,999
Anonymous
Stella Bentley
Willy Borner
Sheree and Rick Gillaspie**
Lynn and Pat Gurrentz
Kemp and Thomas Hill
Judith and William Hiltz
Kitty and Lex Hochner
Jack and Brenda Nixon
Carroll and Hugh Ray
Melanie Reynolds and Bob Rowe
Mary Chisholm and John Schuldt
Buzz Warner
$5,000 - $24,999
Anonymous (12)
Delores and John Adams
Laura Orvidas and Barrett Adams
Karen and Richard Allen
Catherine and Richard Andree
Sandy and Tim Armour
Sue and Mike Arneson
Patricia and Fred Auch
Eric Bagelmann
Joellyn Barton
Ruth Benton
Sheryl Benzinger
Gloria Bertucci and Philip Bernstein
Jill Bowers Bertelli and Paul Bertelli**
Katherine Bishop
Katherine Boaz
Jenny Golding and George Bumann
Sandra and David Burner
Shari Burns
Joan Carotenuto
Sherry and Douglas Caves
Angelique and Kamal Charef
Susan Hughes
Beverly and Don Clark
Susan and James Clay
Kelty and Rogers Crain
David Culver
Michael Cunningham
Cathy and Lloyd Dahlberg
Betsy de Leiris
Judith Dean
Lavon and James DeGraw
Marguerite and Tom Detmer
Charlene and Jim Eckman
Lynn and Bill Evans
Paula and David Fisher
Lisa Volgenau and Chris Fitzgerald
Francine and David Gomberg
Jacqueline and Nicholas Gorski
Barbara and Christian Gunther
Janet and Charles Haas
Cheryl Hamer
Charles Hill
Robert Howard
Cecily and Bannus Hudson
Cheryl and Richard Hudson
Janet and Brad James
Cynthia and Craig Jensen
Jennifer Walston Johnson and Gregory
Johnson
Jerralyn Kehne
Edward Murphy
Glennis and Jim Nokes
Elaine and Bill Obernesser
Susan and Roy O’Connor
Beth and Charlie O’Reilly
Cathy and Bill Osborn
Susan and David Perdue
Amanda and Alex Perez
Laurie Prill
Edith Reger
Joan Rentz
Corlene and Michael Rhoades
Liz and Al Richter
Patricia Riggs
Maisie and John Rosenberg
Fran Morris Rosman and Richard Rosman
Jim and Christine Russell
Andrea and Mike Scholz
Jerry and Julie Schuyler
Mary and Charles Sethness
Cappy and Bob Shopneck
Trent Sizemore
Christine and Brian Smith
Carrie and Arthur Steinmetz
Arikha Moses and Greg Steinmetz
Nancy Stone
Anne Symchych
Jane and Russell Thorpe
Debbie and Bill Tracy
Lilia Tyrrell and BJ Althans
Martha and John Walda
Charles Walston Johnson
Mary Warner
Ariel Witbeck
Candace Allen and Robert Woodward
Sandi Young
John Youngblood
The Old Faithful Society – Pledged
These outstanding donors have made legacy commitments to Yellowstone Forever through planned gifts.
Barbara and Robert Aaron
Connie and James Adreon
Dolores Albers
Jocelyn Allen
Alva Anderson
Bruce Anderson
Joseph Andrews
James Angresano
Deborah Applegate
Tracy Arthur
Beth Averbeck
Sandi and Bill Babcock
Kara Menzel and Richard Bancroft
Jean Barash
Lynn Bart
Dave Baylor
Rod Betsch
Natalie and Aaron Bissonette
Debra and Brad Blome
Judith and Robert Blue
Michael Bocchinfuso
Sheila Boeckman
Leslie Boff
Dianne Bordas
Debra Botellio
Nina and John Bottomley
Ken Bowling
Kathy Brawl
Diane Brinkmann
Tim Bruno
Betty Tichich and Fred Bunch
Beth Byron-Reasoner
Joan Carotenuto
Diane Castiglioni
Chris and John Cavanaugh
Brenda Berglund and Georgia Clark
Linda Collins
Lara and Stephen Compton
Roberta and Craig Connolly
Deborah and Chris Cooley
Shirley and Jerry Cormier
Dorothy and David Courtis
Pat Crane
Roy Crum
Caroline Cullen
Kevin Kalley and David Currier
Faye and Charles Daellenbach
Barbara and Peter Dahl
Susan and Andrew Dana
Trisha and Chip Davis
Betsy de Leiris
Tama and Regis Dinkel
Stella and Al DiPasqua
Mona and Richard Divine
Theresa and Richard Dixon
Kris and Jim Dorris
Catherine and Richard Dowdell
Lucinda Downing
Susan and Robert Duke
Anne Duncan
Renee Duprel
Patty and Thomas Durham
Charlene and Jim Eckman
Jo Ann and Bert Eder
David Edwards
Elizabeth Fournier and Daniel Ellison
Beverly England
Eva Mariana Farova
Charlotte and Bill Fecht
Linda Fidler
Teresa Fischer
Theresa and Steve Fisher
Denise Fitzhenry
Betsy Franz
Matthew Frend
Kathy and Ed Fronheiser
Courtney and Trent Gaines
Maureen and Larry Gamble
Jane Massey and Walter Gerlesky
Sheree Gillaspie
Judith Glazer
Janice and Ernest Glessner
Petra Goodell
Marie Gore
Annie and Bob Graham
Mary Greer
Ken Grey
Susan and Craig Grube
Barbara and Christian Gunther
Kathleen Haines
Audrey S. Hall
Mary Hamilton
Bill and Melinda Hardie
Amy Haugerud
Katherine Hax
Teresa Ignatovich and Deborah Henderson
Carolyn and Scotty Heppel
Jim Hersrud
Debra Hopfer
Cecily and Bannus Hudson
Gayle and Michael Hughes
Chrys Hulbert
Elizabeth Johnson and Robert Impellizzeri
Heidi and Mark Ingenito
Shane Mills and Scott Jackson
Liddy Johnson
Jeslyn and William Johnson
Cynthia and Mark Jordan
Sherry and Dave Kapes
Russ Kehler
Dianna Kellie
Dana Kellogg
Mary Ann Kiely
Stephanie Kiewlich
Beth and Michael King
Barb Klosterman
Jana and Robert Knight
Elizabeth and Dale Kostelny
Wendy Kraly
Michael Kramer
Andrea Krueger
Rea Labar
Bob Landis
Ron Lerner
William Lindsey
Karen Litt
Steve Lokker
Kathleen Lynch
Carl Lyons and Kay Juricek
Keri Mader
Barb Mader
Claire Campbell and Brian Makare
Susan Malone
Susan and Mitchell Malone
J.R. Massie
Jeanne and Kim McCarthy
Linda and Robert McPhail
Guido Minola
Judy Bradley and David Mitchell
Mardell Moore
Donna Murphrey
Mary Swanson and Peter Murray
Sue and Richard Muza
Monica Nesbit
Melody Newkirk
Natalie and Kevin Nolan
Jaquelyn O’Shaughnessy
Gerald O’Sullivan
Erica Oakley-Courage
Heather and Andrew Olsen
Lori Raborg and Diane Orme
Stacey Poston and Annemarie Pace
Doreen and Lee Packila
James Pape
Elizabeth Young and William Parks
Wayne Parsons
Larry Patrick
Marlene and Gary Peacock
Christena and Robert Petersen
Valeria Peyton
Sandra Pfeiffer
Jean Phelps
Jayne and Dennis Poydence
Barbara and Franklin Propst
Susan Light and Boyd Ratchye
Wendy Redlinger
Paul Reichel
Peggy and Chris Rice
Jed and Robert Richardson
John Rodgers
Cheryl Budzinski and William Ross
Cynthia Lewis and Doug Ruffin
William Ryerson
Lois A. Schaper
Ede Schmidt
Timothy Schofield
Janet and Walter Schuchmann
Larry Schultz
Stanley Schumacher
Martha and Peter Schwuerzer
Sandra Shapiro
Kevin Sheridan
Donna and Vance Sherwood
Cappy and Bob Shopneck
Amy A. Coombs and Harold B. Simon
Earl Skeel
Ann and Michael Skelton
Jerry Smith
Dennis Smith
David Socolofsky
Kathleen Parrish and Doug Spencer
Barbara Hanka and Daren Striegel
Linda Summers
Gail Suprin-Peplau and Steven Peplau
Gerry Smith and David Syfert
Jeremy Taylor
Helen Lord and Raymond Taylor
Anne and Jim Taylor
Liz Lockette and Dave Thomas
Marguerite and Ron Thompson
James Thorp
Terri Lynn McConnell and Julie Twist
Neil Uranowski
Lee and Sal Vivanco
Alyce Walker
Janet Walsh
Emily and Douglas Walter
Richard Waltman
Kelly Waymire
Elizabeth and Rudy Weinhold
Michele and Edward Weller
Rita Wetzel
Rosalyn and David Widney
Carl Michael Wilkinson
Randolph Willoby
John Wilson
Rita and Gary Wolfe
Pamela Wrench
Barbara Wunderlich
Linda and Howard Wynne
Anne Young
Magdalene Ziereis
The Old Faithful Society
These outstanding donors made legacy commitments to Yellowstone through planned gifts. Their gifts were received March 1, 2024 –February 28, 2025.
Sharon Bullard
Vera Denz
Cynthia Laue
Jan Nethery
Robert Ruehmann
Theresa Suetterlin
Foundations
$1,000,000+
National Park Foundation
$250,000 - $999,999
Anonymous Family Foundation
Rees-Jones Foundation
$50,000 - $249,999
Anonymous Family Foundation
Beagle Charitable Foundation
Colossal Foundation
Daniel K. Thorne Foundation
Dry Creek Foundation
FourTen Foundation
G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation
George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Foundation
Solot and Karp Family Foundation
$25,000-$49,999
Bechtel Trusts
Dr. Scholl Foundation
Conservation Nation
Living With Wolves, Ltd.
Tapeats Fund
$5,000-$24,999
Alma Gibbs Donchian Foundation
Argus Fund
Benjamin Family Foundation
Eaglemere Foundation
Fuller Foundation
Goodnow Fund
Henry E. Niles Foundation
Holdfast Collective
Hymowitz Family Foundation
James and Barbara Cimino Foundation
Jane Smith Tunner Foundation
Kathryn B. McQuade Foundation
Nathan P. Jacobs Foundation
Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation
Smith and Wilcox Blue Skies Foundation
Solstice Charitable Foundation
Stephen G. and Susan E. Denkers Family
Foundation
Wells Fargo Foundation
Willard L. Eccles Foundation
YOT Full Circle Foundation
* In-Kind Support ** In-Kind and Cash
$250,000+
$50,000-$249,999
Canon U.S.A., Inc.**
Delaware North Companies**
Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.
Michelin North America*
Mystery Ranch Backpacks*
Wyoming Whiskey**
Xanterra Parks & Resorts Guest Donation Program
$25,000-$49,999
1000 Stories
Bombas*
Dümmen Orange
Enlightened Generation
Miir Holdings, LLC**
Smithey**
State of Montana License Plate Program
$5,000-$24,999
ALS Private Limited
Andersen Corporation*
Association of National Park Rangers
Grand Teton Brewing Company
JLF Architects*
Kimpton Armory Hotel
Lowell Public Schools
MasterBrand**
Maestra, LLC
Prologis Foundation
Roosevelt Hotel
Wells Fargo
Wild Tribute
Leadership & Ways to Support
Leadership Leadership Team
Lisa Diekmann, President & CEO
Sam Barkley, Chief Development Officer
Wendie Carr, Chief Marketing Officer
Amanda Hagerty, Chief Program Officer
Joe Luttrell, Director of Retail
Kristi Mills, Chief Operating Officer
Nina Novikoff, Chief People Officer
Christina White, Director of Strategic Engagement
Board of Directors
Doug Spencer, Board Chair
Nick Olds, Vice Chair
Michael Solot, Treasurer
Carolyn Heppel, Secretary
Paul Bertelli
Lisa Diekmann, President & CEO
Debbie Head
Arielle Patrick
Susan Roeder
Jacqueline Rooney
Bob Rowe
Stephanie Tarbet
Elizabeth Webb
David Youn
National Advisory Council
Arikha Moses, NAC Leadership Facilitator
Rose Nelson, NAC Leadership Facilitator
Stacey Beckworth
Fred Dedrick
David Defazio
Ashley De Smeth
Ken Duell
Sheree Gillaspie
David Jones
Elsa Pfaff King
Young Patrons
Sarah Duncan, Co-Chair
Nick Martini, Co-Chair
Jill Barclay
Gieriet Bowen
Christian Causby
Lucy Coassin
Betty Crain
Madeline Frome
Amanda Goldfine
Tucker Groendyke
Adam Harbaugh
Kelly Larson
Deborah Lahey
Laura Orvidas
Vaishali Parekh
Alison Peacock
Alex Perez
Will Price
Catherine Shopneck
Chris Smith
Doug Smith
Lilia Tyrrell
Brian Macfarlane
Michael Morrison
Lauren Platshon
Brittany Roderman
Michelle Rourk
Grant Simon
Bella Syme
Tiffany Tran
Nicholas Tropin
Dani Tustin
Madeline Wade
While the fiscal year covered in this report is from March 1, 2024 –February, 28, 2025, the board, National Advisory Council, Young Patrons, and staff lists are as of July 15, 2025.
Ways to Support Yellowstone
Yellowstone Society
The Yellowstone Society is a distinguished group of stewards with a deep connection to Yellowstone. As a member of the Yellowstone Society, you are one of Yellowstone Forever’s most valued members. Your generous annual gift of $1,000 or more (or $84 a month) directly supports protecting, preserving, and enhancing Yellowstone National Park through education and philanthropy.
For more information visit: Yellowstone.org/society
Planned Gift Opportunities
By making a planned gift you create a lasting investment that will help preserve Yellowstone National Park forever. Planned gift opportunities can range from bequests to donor advised funds and offer substantial tax advantages.
For more information visit: Yellowstone.org/planned-giving
Yellowstone Guardians
Provide steady monthly support to the park in the most sustainable way by becoming a Yellowstone Guardian. Setting up automatic payments through your digital wallet, credit card, or bank account is a breeze and helps reduce printing and mailing costs which ensures more of your gift goes directly to Yellowstone.
For more information visit: Yellowstone.org/monthly-giving
Donate by Phone
Make a one-time or monthly donation by calling 406-848-2400 (Ext. 1)
Donate Online
Make a one-time or monthly donation by visiting Yellowstone.org/donate
Donate by Mail
Yellowstone Forever PO Box 1857 Bozeman, MT 59771
A mail-in donation form is available for download on our website to include with your gift.
Matching Gifts
Make your gift go twice as far! Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions or volunteer hours made by their employees.
Find out if your employer will match your gift by visiting: Yellowstone.org/matching-gifts
Gifts of Securities
Gifts of stock and other appreciated securities are an easy way to help Yellowstone while receiving a number of tax benefits.
For more information call: 406-848-2400
Memorial and Honor Gifts
Express your care and condolences or honor someone special with a tribute gift to Yellowstone. To make a gift please call 406-848-2400 or give online at Yellowstone.org and select the option to “dedicate my donation in memory or honor of someone.”
Corporate Partnerships
Become a corporate partner and help us meet the park’s needs while solving pivotal issues that impact Yellowstone on a daily basis.
For more information visit: Yellowstone.org/corporate-partnerships
Institute Educational Programs
Join the Yellowstone Forever Institute on a journey of discovery and engage with the park like you never have before!
For more information visit: Yellowstone.org/experience
Park Stores
Proceeds from purchases made at Yellowstone Forever educational park stores, including online, directly support Yellowstone National Park.
For more information visit: Shop.Yellowstone.org
Yellowstone Forever is the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park. Our mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Yellowstone National Park through education and philanthropy.
Yellowstone Forever PO Box 1857 Bozeman, MT 59771
YELLOWSTONE.ORG 406-848-2400
FRONT COVER: YF/MATT LUDIN
BACK COVER: NPS/JACOB W. FRANK