BACKCOUNTRY COMMUNITIES THRIVING
Reduce your risk when donating: see where the money actually goes.
Reduce your risk when donating: see where the money actually goes.
Cite this
Plain text BACKCOUNTRY COMMUNITIES THRIVING. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2021–2025. https://furp.org/org/backcountry-communities-thriving-872679329. Retrieved 2026-11-09.
APA furp.org. (n.d.). BACKCOUNTRY COMMUNITIES THRIVING [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2021–2025]. Retrieved November 9, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/backcountry-communities-thriving-872679329
MLA “BACKCOUNTRY COMMUNITIES THRIVING.” furp.org, tax years 2021–2025, https://furp.org/org/backcountry-communities-thriving-872679329. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.
Retrieved 2026-11-09; covers tax years 2021–2025. Data: furp.org (index © the FURP Alliance; the records are public domain).
2025 · Form 990EZ · revenue $174K · expenses $198K · assets $90K
- EIN
- 87-2679329
- Address
- PO BOX 1705, JULIAN, CA 92036-1705
- Website
- BC-CT.org
- NTEE code
- S20 Community, Neighborhood Development (Community Improvement and Capacity Building) inferred (by a small language model from the name and 990 text, confidence 0.70; not an IRS classification)
- Exempt type
- 501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
- Ruling date
- October 2021 (when the IRS recognized its exemption)
- IRS status
- Exempt (unconditional) (IRS Business Master File) IRS data ↗
- Tax-deductible donations
- Yes: listed in IRS Publication 78 (public charity) Pub 78 ↗
- Foundation status
- Public charity supported by the public (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))
- Cross-check
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
Mission
Backcountry Communities Thriving's goal is to ensure the well-being of each child, family and individual in Julian and the surrounding rural areas through advocacy, service and support to foster a thriving community.
Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).
People paid by the organization
1 person paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Latest year pay | Total pay from here | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Simas | CFO | 2021-2025 | $59,994 | $215,493 | 1 |
Officers and directors, no compensation reported
15 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Hrs/wk (latest) | Compensation | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheryl Bakken | President | 2023-2025 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Rhonda Gregor | Treasurer | 2023-2025 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Hilary Ward | Executive Direc | 2021-2025 | 40 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Britni Mushet | ED Pro-Tem | 2025 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Kathy Louv | Director | 2025 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Alison Hernandez (former) | Secretary | 2023-2024 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Tere Tangeman (former) | Vice President | 2023-2024 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Vanessa Vargas (former) | Director | 2023-2024 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Robin Boland (former) | Director | 2021-2022 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Marisa Day (former) | Vice President | 2021-2022 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Vika Golovanova (former) | Director | 2021-2022 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Brooke Gonzales (former) | Treasurer | 2021-2022 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Patricia Thornburgh (former) | Director | 2021-2022 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Mary Morgan (former) | Director | 2022 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Alison Usray (former) | Director | 2022 | 0 | $0 reported | 1 |
People by year
2025 · 6 people listed · 1 paid, $60K
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Simas | CFO | 40 | $59,994 | - | - | $59,994 | 1 |
| Hilary Ward | Executive Direc | 40 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Britni Mushet | ED Pro-Tem | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Cheryl Bakken | President | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Rhonda Gregor | Treasurer | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Kathy Louv | Director | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
2024 · 7 people listed · 1 paid, $59K · 1 employee · 25 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Simas | CFO | 40 | $59,436 | $0 | $0 | $59,436 | 1 |
| Cheryl Bakken | President | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Rhonda Gregor | Treasurer | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Alison Hernandez | Secretary | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Tere Tangeman | Vice President | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Vanessa Vargas | Director | 0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Hilary Ward | Executive Direc | 40 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2023 · 7 people listed · 1 paid, $56K
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Simas | CFO | 40 | $55,581 | - | - | $55,581 | 1 |
| Hilary Ward | Executive Direc | 40 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Cheryl Bakken | President | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Rhonda Gregor | Treasurer | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Alison Hernandez | Secretary | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Tere Tangeman | Vice President | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Vanessa Vargas | Director | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
2022 · 9 people listed · 1 paid, $40K
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kim Simas | Secretary | 40 | $40,482 | - | - | $40,482 | 1 |
| Hilary Ward | President | 40 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Robin Boland | Director | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Marisa Day | Vice President | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Vika Golovanova | Director | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Brooke Gonzales | Treasurer | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Patricia Thornburgh | Director | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Mary Morgan | Director | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Alison Usray | Director | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
2021 · 7 people listed · none paid
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilary Ward | President | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Kim Simas | Secretary | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Robin Boland | Director | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Marisa Day | Vice President | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Vika Golovanova | Director | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Brooke Gonzales | Treasurer | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Patricia Thornburgh | Director | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
Highest-paid independent contractors
No independent contractors reported.
Who the money went to
Grants this organization reported paying: Schedule I Part II of the Form 990, or the grants-paid list on the 990-PF. Open a year for every recipient. Recipients link to their own page when the grant names an EIN we have (990-PF grants list no EIN, so those link only on an exact, unique name and state). Grants to individuals are counted; their names are not shown.
2024 · 3 grants to organizations · $129K
Listed grants add up to $129,037; the return's “grants paid” expense line says $145,593. Returns can differ here (grants paid vs. accrued, items listed elsewhere); check the filing.
Negative amounts are returned or refunded grants; they are listed last and left out of the totals of grants paid.
Who gave
Contributor names are not public for this form type.
Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.
Finances
Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.
| Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Contributions | Program revenue | Officer pay | Employees | Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $173,551 | $198,193 | $89,944 | $87,973 | $134,594 | $38,866 | - | - | - |
| 2024 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $274,899 | $226,209 | $114,794 | $113,588 | $274,843 | $0 | $59,436 | 1 | 25 |
| 2023 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $171,057 | $136,398 | $66,080 | $64,898 | $170,977 | - | - | - | - |
| 2022 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $77,097 | $47,116 | $31,224 | $30,039 | $77,097 | - | - | - | - |
| 2021 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $100 | $42 | $58 | $58 | $100 | - | - | - | - |
Funders of this organization
11 grantors reported grants to this organization, $250,167 in all, tax years 2022 to 2024. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV
| Grantor | Total given | Grants | Latest year's amount | Latest year | Years given | Type | Match | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LA84 FOUNDATION | $95,000 | 1 | $95,000 | 2024 | 2024 | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “BACKCOUNTRY COMMUNITIES THRIVING” | show |
| AMERICAN ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION | $55,000 | 2 | $30,000 | 2024 | 2022, 2024 | DAF sponsor | Exact | show |
| THE SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION | $32,000 | 1 | $32,000 | 2022 | 2022 | DAF sponsor | Exact | show |
| GOOD SPORTS INC | $28,609 | 3 | $12,284 | 2024 | 2022-2024 | Public charity | Exact | show |
| SAN DIEGO REGIONAL FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES FOUNDATION | $18,007 | 2 | $12,007 | 2024 | 2023-2024 | Public charity | Exact | show |
| JACK IN THE BOX FOUNDATION | $7,500 | 1 | $7,500 | 2023 | 2023 | Public charity | Exact | show |
| DICKS SPORTING GOODS FOUNDATION | $5,000 | 2 | $2,000 | 2024 | 2023-2024 | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “BACKCOUNTRY COMMUNITIES THRIVING” | show |
| CUSHMAN FOUNDATION | $5,000 | 1 | $5,000 | 2023 | 2023 | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “BACKCOUNTRY COMMUNITIES THRIVING” | show |
| FAULKNER FOUNDATION | $2,994 | 3 | $295 | 2024 | 2022-2024 | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “BACKCOUNTRY COMMUNITIES THRIVING” | show |
| VERIZON FOUNDATION | $1,000 | 1 | $1,000 | 2024 | 2024 | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “BACKCOUNTRY COMMUNITIES THRIVING” | show |
| AMAZONSMILE FOUNDATION | $57 | 2 | $41 | 2023 | 2022-2023 | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “BACKCOUNTRY COMMUNITIES THRIVING” | show |
Nearby + Similar BETA
Organizations like this one: what they do and who they are linked to
Same category: NTEE code and revenue
Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. NTEE: the IRS’s code when it lists one, otherwise FURP’s inferred code. Same state only · More (100)
| Organization | State | NTEE | Latest revenue | Latest expenses | Top-paid title | Top pay | Why similar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLERGY COMMUNITY COALITION INC | CA | S20 | $179,968 | $151,216 | Executive Dir. | $48,750 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| FAIRFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES FOUNDATION | CA | S20 | $165,406 | $94,616 | BOARD MEMBER | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| HARVESTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL | CA | S20 | $153,771 | $172,271 | DIRECTOR-AT- | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| ORINDA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | CA | S20 | $162,785 | $128,409 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| COMMUNITY CONNECTION CENTER | CA | S20 | $163,540 | $160,996 | CEO | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| THE APPLE VALLEY COMMUNITY RESOURCE FOUNDATION | CA | S20 | $165,925 | $100,219 | CHAIR | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| HURON COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT FOUNDATION | CA | S20 | $160,000 | $193,488 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCE | CA | S20 | $196,847 | $5,521,364 | President | $140,000 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| NDIFO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION | CA | S20 | $174,659 | $137,866 | Chairman | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| LOVE OUR CITIES INC | CA | S20 | $161,856 | $157,550 | President | $88,725 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| THRIVE LEMON GROVE | CA | S20 | $186,651 | $144,640 | President Executive Director | $10,300 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| RAMONA OUTDOOR COMMUNITY CENTER INC | CA | S20 | $173,151 | $52,534 | Treasurer | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| Ocean Air Recreation Council | CA | S20 | $184,651 | $186,354 | Vice Chair | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SACRAMENTO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COALITION | CA | S20 | $165,434 | $90,431 | BOARD PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS INC | CA | S20 | $170,343 | - | PRESIDENT | $5,803 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| NYELAND PROMISE | CA | S20 | $175,176 | $111,960 | Vice President | $11,000 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| NEWARK BETTERMENT CORPORATION | CA | S20 | $194,103 | $130,514 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| TWEEDY MILE ASSOCIATION | CA | S20 | $194,799 | $146,419 | VICE PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| REIMAGINE LA FOUNDATION | CA | S20 | $153,303 | $127,016 | CO FOUNDER | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| California Public Interest Advocates | CA | S20 | $181,208 | $166,099 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| Los Amigos De Guadalupe | CA | S20 | $154,861 | $124,638 | Manager | $45,937 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| People And Congregations Together | CA | S20 | $172,038 | $200,297 | Executive Director | $63,000 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| LA MIRADA VOLUNTEER CENTER | CA | S20 | $165,299 | $152,368 | President | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| FORMOSA TOGETHER | CA | S20 | $158,094 | $96,594 | CEO | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
| INFORMED BY NATURE INC | CA | S20 | $190,000 | $178,292 | BOARD MEMBER | $0 | Same NTEE code S20, revenue within 2x, same state |
Who funds organizations like this
Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).
The full list · all similar organizations
Where the money went
Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.
2025 · Form 990EZ · $198,193 spent · pay $64,991 · grants $59,014 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries, other pay and benefits | $64,991 | 32.8% | |
| Grants and similar amounts paid | $59,014 | 29.8% | |
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $51,189 | 25.8% | |
| Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance | $22,999 | 11.6% | |
| Total | $198,193 | 100% |
2024 · Form 990 · $226,209 spent · pay $64,512 · grants $145,593 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grants to US organizations and governments | $133,249 | $133,249 | - | - | 58.9% | |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $59,436 | - | $59,436 | - | 26.3% | |
| Grants to US individuals | $12,344 | $12,344 | - | - | 5.5% | |
| Occupancy | $7,144 | - | $7,144 | - | 3.2% | |
| Payroll taxes | $5,076 | - | $5,076 | - | 2.2% | |
| Office expenses | $3,188 | - | $3,188 | - | 1.4% | |
| Travel | $1,344 | - | $1,344 | - | 0.6% | |
| Insurance | $1,169 | - | $1,169 | - | 0.5% | |
| All other expenses | $1,026 | - | $1,026 | - | 0.5% | |
| Other (as described) | Internet | $862 | - | $862 | - | 0.4% |
| Other (as described) | Telephone | $626 | - | $626 | - | 0.3% |
| Other (as described) | Electricity | $376 | - | $376 | - | 0.2% |
| Other (as described) | Printing and Publications | $369 | - | $369 | - | 0.2% |
| Total | $226,209 | 100% |
2023 · Form 990EZ · $136,398 spent · pay $60,080 · grants $50,265 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries, other pay and benefits | $60,080 | 44.0% | |
| Grants and similar amounts paid | $50,265 | 36.9% | |
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $22,243 | 16.3% | |
| Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance | $3,600 | 2.6% | |
| Printing, publications, postage | $210 | 0.2% | |
| Total | $136,398 | 100% |
2022 · Form 990EZ · $47,116 spent · pay $43,862 · grants $2,382 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries, other pay and benefits | $43,862 | 93.1% | |
| Grants and similar amounts paid | $2,382 | 5.1% | |
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $872 | 1.9% | |
| Total | $47,116 | 100% |
2021 · Form 990EZ · $42 spent · pay $0 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $42 | 100.0% | |
| Total | $42 | 100% |
Comments