Nonprofit · EIN 36-3414821
FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS
Tax-exempt · SAINT PAUL, MN 55114
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 990 | $4,376,374 | $3,126,388 | $1,249,986 | $6,194,081 | $351,768 | $5,842,313 |
| September 30, 2024 | 990 | $3,070,351 | $2,574,376 | $495,975 | $4,780,049 | $349,018 | $4,431,031 |
| September 30, 2023 | 990 | $2,756,966 | $2,430,921 | $326,045 | $4,028,530 | $415,397 | $3,613,133 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $4,277,598
- of which government grants
- $479,129
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $139,538
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $41,814
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$68,825
- Other revenue
- -$40,762
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $324,585
- Other salaries and wages
- $1,268,989
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $1,858,915
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $5,216
- Accounting fees
- $124,369
- Occupancy
- $140,573
- Travel
- $101,654
- Depreciation
- $44,211
- Program services (functional)
- $2,092,147
- Management and general (functional)
- $509,900
- Fundraising (functional)
- $524,341
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $4,780,049
- Total assets, end of year
- $6,194,081
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $351,768
- Net assets, end of year
- $5,842,313
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $1,739,507
- Publicly traded securities
- $2,858,817
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $5,126,339
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $715,974
- Gross receipts
- $5,404,312
- Employees
- 22
- Volunteers
- 250
- Year formed
- 1976
- State of legal domicile
- MN
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHRIS KNOPF | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $154,999 | $20,999 |
| RYAN JOHNSON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 10 | $0 | $0 |
| TOM DONAHO | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN PENSHORN | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| ADAM BENSON | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| NILES DENEEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH HUSKINS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOE LOFGREN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EVAN NELSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAIME ROQUEBERT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLY SCHULLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SEAN SHERMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ADAN TORRES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EMILY VIKRE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LEE VUE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
2 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAURA WILDENBORG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOHN WILLOUGHBY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 16 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHRIS KNOPF | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $151,250 | $17,322 |
| LEE VUE | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 10 | $0 | $0 |
| RYAN JOHNSON | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN PENSHORN | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BOB SCOTT | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| NILES DENEEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TOM DONAHO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH HUSKINS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON LONG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EVAN NELSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAIME ROQUEBERT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ADAN TORRES | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| KELLY SCHULLER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EMILY VIKRE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LAURA WILDENBORG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN WILLOUGHBY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 14 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHRIS KNOPF | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $137,413 | $16,985 |
| LEE VUE | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 10 | $0 | $0 |
| RYAN JOHNSON | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN PENSHORN | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| BOB SCOTT | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 5 | $0 | $0 |
| TOM DONAHO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN GAPPA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DEBORAH HUSKINS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JASON LONG | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EVAN NELSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SUZIE O'GORMAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAIME ROQUEBERT | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| EMILY VIKRE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN WILLOUGHBY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 2550 UNIVERSITY AVE W STE 180S, SAINT PAUL, MN 55114-2003
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- CHRIS KNOPF, 2550 UNIVERSITY AVE W 180S, ST PAUL, MN 55114
- Signed the 990
- CHRIS KNOPF, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Phone
- (612) 332-9630
- Website
- WWW.FRIENDS-BWCA.ORG
- Return prepared by
- CARPENTER EVERT & ASSOCIATES LTD
Mission
OUR MISSION IS TO PROTECT THE BOUNDARY WATERS AND TO CONNECT PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS TO THE WILDERNESS, SO THAT THIS AND FUTURE GENERATIONS CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS SPECIAL PLACE.
Program accomplishments
- SEE SCHEDULE O.NO BOUNDARIES TO THE BOUNDARY WATERS - WE REACHED OVER 8,000 STUDENTS IN VRTUAL PROGRAMMING NATIONALLY, 4,000 STUDENTS IN IN-PERSON PROGRAMMING IN MINNESOTA, AND SUPPORTED 200 STUDENTS IN OVERNIGHT WILDERNESS TRIPS IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS. WE STARTED A STUDENT LEADERSHIP COHORT, CALLED SPARKS, OFFERED TO STUDENTS WHO HAD PARTICIPATED IN OVERNIGHT PROGRAMS AND WERE INTERESTED IN FURTHERING THIER EXPERIENCE. IN THIS COHORT, STUDENTS GAINED LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE, LEARNED ABOUT CAREERS IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD, AND PRACTICED THEIR OUTDOOR RECREATION SKILLS. IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, WE LAUNCHED "BOUNDARY WATERS IS OUR BACKYARD", WHICH FOCUSES ON OUR CURRENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS AND TRIBAL COMMUNITIES IN NE MINNESOTA, AND PROVIDES THEM WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO INCORPORATE DAY TRIPS AND OVERNIGHTS IN AND NEAR THE BWCA THROUGHOUT THEIR SCHOOL YEAR. WILDERNESS ADVOCACY - IN FY25, LITIGATION ACTIVITY FOR POLYMET AND TWIN METALS WAS REDUCED, WHEN COMPARED TO PASTFISCAL YEARS, DUE TO COURT-ORDERED STAYS. THAT SAID, THE FRIENDS COMPLETED APPELLATE BRIEFING AND, ALONG WITH ITS PARTNERS, PRESENTED ORAL ARGUMENT AT THE D.C. CIRCUIT WITH RESPECT TO A LAWSUIT BY TWIN METALS CHALLENGING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S CANCELLATION OF ITS MINERAL LEASES. THAT APPEALWAS EVENTUALLY HELD IN ABEYANCE IN MID-2025. WITH RESPECT TO POLICY-RELATED MATTERS, THE FRIENDS RESEARCHED AND DRAFTED COMMENTS ON THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE'S PROPOSED BWCA PERMIT FEE INCREASES AND RESEARCHED AND JOINED POLICY-RELATED SIGN-ON LETTERS, INCLUDING THOSE ON THE ROADLESS RULE AND THE FIX OUR FORESTS ACT. THE FRIENDS ALSO ENGAGED IN EFFORTS TO UNDERCUT FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS TO FAST-TRACK THE TWIN METALS PROJECT IN TRUMP'S "BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL." THE FRIENDS IDENTIFIED THAT MANY ASPECTS OF H.R. 3195 WOULD NOT SATISFY THE BYRD RULE AND RESEARCHED AND DRAFTED A MEMO WITH A CONCISE BUT POWERFUL ARTICULATION OF WHY THE PROVISIONS OF HR 3195 THAT DEALT WITH TWIN METALS WERE INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE BUDGET RECONCILIATION PROCESS. WE ALSO ORGANIZED OUR VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS TO SEND 1,291 EMAILS TO THE MINNESOTA GOVERNOR AND STATE LEGISLATORS, HELD 58 MEETINGS WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS ON OUR ISSUES, HOSTED A DAY AT THE STATE CAPOTOL ATTENDED BY OVER 200 PEOPLE, AND HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ON SULFIDE MINING ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 300 PEOPLE. IN WASHINGTON DC, WE HAD 176 CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE VISITS AND ORGANIZED OUR SUPPORTERS SENDING 52,000 EMAILS TO CONGRESS. NORTHERN COMMUNITIES - IN ELY AND GRAND MARAIS, FRIENDS HAS CONNECTED WITH MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE IN EACH COMMUNITY THROUGH HOSTED EVENTS AND PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY EVENTS. FRIENDS USES THESE EVENTS TO NOT ONLY BRING AWARENESS TO OUR ORGANIZATION AND THE BOUNDARY WATERS, BUT TO GIVE FOLKS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE AND ENGAGE WITH WILDERNESS TOPICS, SUCH AS THROUGH SPEAKERS HOSTED DURING ELY DARK SKY WEEK. IN ADDITION TO CULTIVATING ENGAGMENT AROUND THE BOUNDARY WATERS, FRIENDS SEEKS TO MAKE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AND GIVE BACK. OUR ELY "TREE FEST" GAVE AWAY 300 TRESS TO THE COMMUNITY FOR PLANTING. OUR BOUNDARY WATERS IS OUR BACKYARD PROGRAM GOES HAND IN HAND AS WE INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL YOUTH TO IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN THE WILDERNESS AREA. IN GRAND MARAIS, WE HAVE ONLY BEEN HERE ABOUT A YEAR, BUT THERE IS INTEREST AND ENGAGEMENT ACROSS THE COMMUNITY IN OUR MISSION TO STRENGTHEN THE COMMUNITY AND CONNECT FOLKS TO THE BOUNDARY WATERS.Expenses $2,092,147
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 30, 2026 | February 16, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | September 30, 2025 | February 17, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | September 30, 2024 | February 18, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 36-3414821
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1986
- Accounting year ends
- September
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Environment (C113)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $6,194,081
- Income (IRS master file)
- $5,404,312
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | September 2025 | $4,376,374 | $3,126,388 | $6,194,081 | XML |
| 990 | September 2024 | $3,070,351 | $2,574,376 | $4,780,049 | XML |
| 990 | September 2023 | $2,756,966 | $2,430,921 | $4,028,530 | XML |
| 990 | September 2022 | $2,197,868 | $1,919,578 | $3,600,444 | IRS |
| 990 | September 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 36-3414821).
Questions about FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS
- What is the EIN of FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS is 36-3414821.
- Is FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1986.
- Are donations to FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 16, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names CHRIS KNOPF.
- Who are the officers and directors of FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 17 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $154,999 (CHRIS KNOPF, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR).
- How much revenue does FRIENDS OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS have?
- On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $4,376,374, expenses of $3,126,388 and total assets of $6,194,081 at year end.
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