Ecology Project International

“Ecology project international co-founders scott pankratz and julie osborn are husband and wife. Scott pankratz is the organization's executive director and julie osborn is the organization's advancement director.”

“The 990 with the exclusion of schedule b, is reviewed by the board of director's finance committee and is then emailed to the entire board of directors prior to a board meeting. The 990 is reviewed at a board meeting and the accountants are notified of its approval to be filed.”

“In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the executive committee. Any director may recuse himself or herself at any time from involvement in any decision or discussion in which the director believes he or she has or may have a conflict of interest, without going through the process for determining whether a conflict of interest exists. After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the executive committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining executive committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists.”

“A salary survey was completed in 2007 by the board of directors and has been updated annually for ongoing positions, new positions and cola adjustments. The salary survey reviewed salaries for individuals in similar positions with varying levels of experience, similar size in the organizations, based in the western u.s. Data is gathered from the non-profit philanthropy center in los angeles, the montana non-profit association, the association of nature center administrators, training resources for the environmental community, and also compared with salary information of non-profits based in missoula, mt. Annually in december the board reviews the executive and advancement director's performance and salary. The executive director and advancement director review management staff performance and salary.”

“Form 990, part vi, section c, line 18: explanation: the organization's form 990 and 990-t are available on the organization's website, upon request, and on guidestar.com. Form 990, part vi, section c, line 19: explanation: the organization's governing documents, policies and financial statements are available to the public upon request.”

“Ecology project international (the organization) is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing international ecological education partnerships between scientists and high school students to address critical conservation issues. Participating students work alongside scientists to learn about and help protect threatened species. Local and visiting students collect data that will preserve threatened habitat or help endangered species. Scientists mentor students as they develop a research question, collect and analyze data, and give presentations. At least 60% of our student participants live near our program sites and are considered underserved youth in the area. Most of the cost of local student participation is funded through grants and donations.”