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Non-profit

Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC)

Website:

meic.org/
Location:

Helena, MT
Tax ID:

23-7337100
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2022):

Revenue: $766,527
Expenses: $726,007
Assets: $857,323
Type:

Environmentalist Advocacy Group
Formation:

1974
Executive Director:

Carolyn Kimball
Budget (2022):

Revenue: $766,527
Expenses: $726,007
Assets: $857,323

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The Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) is an environmental advocacy group that clams to advocate in favor of clean energy for the state of Montana through policy advocacy, monitoring state government, litigation, and education. It provides Montana communities and individuals with advocacy organizing and technical assistance. 1 Montana’s state constitution guarantees “the right to a clean and healthful environment.” 2 MEIC views itself as an enforcer of that constitutionally guaranteed right. 3

It partners with local, state, and national left-of-center environmentalist nonprofits and public interest law firms to oppose conventional-fuel and nuclear-energy development, mining, and urban development projects. These actors, it claims, contribute to climate change and air and water pollution detrimental to species diversity and human well-being and pose threats to the Montana economy. 4

Activities

The Montana Environmental Information Center supports “a thoughtful transition to renewable and clean energy sources.” 5 To this end, it advocates for using wind, solar, small hydroelectric, and low-emission biomass energy sources while excluding coal, nuclear, oil, and gas. 6

Elimination of “destructive mining practices” is a major MEIC objective. The organization promotes clean-up of abandoned and inactive mines and strives to prohibit mining in “sensitive ecosystems and high-risk ore bodies” to protect wildlife habitats, aquatic resources, and human health. 7

Through mobilizing public pressure on decision-makers, MEIC seeks to influence Montana legislative and regulatory activity to support its preferred outcomes. Its principal methods include lobbying legislators and regulators and pursuing litigation. Its volunteers and staff directly lobby individual legislators, attend public hearings and meetings, submit written comments on government actions, compile a legislative scorecard, circulate public petitions, issue press releases, and maintain an active presence on social media. 8

MEIC has participated in several suits challenging Montana laws and regulatory decisions that it claims weaken protection against environmental practices. Many of the coalitions have been represented by Earthjustice, a left-of-center public interest law firm. Co-litigants include Native American tribes and Montana-based organizations such as Montana Trout Unlimited. 9 10 11

One such coalition opposes the Black Butte Copper Mine, an underground copper mine to be located at the headwaters of Montana’s Smith River. The litigants allege the Smith River is a pristine waterway which runs through some of the most spectacular scenery in the state and supports a trout fishery. It generates millions of dollars in recreational revenue for Montana each year. By destroying the river as a recreational resource, the mine would eliminate that revenue. 12 13

The mine’s operating permit was initially blocked by a Montana District Court ruling. That ruling was overturned in February 2024 by the Montana Supreme Court. Another case challenging “the mine’s dewatering scheme” is pending and the coalition plans to pursue “other options.” The Australian and Canadian partnership proposing the mine claims that its environmental measures are sufficient to protect the river, but opponents argue that these measures are “unproven” and accuse the companies of pursuing mining expansion plans across 12,000 acres adjacent to the river. 14 15

Associated Organizations

The Montana Environmental Information Center Action Fund is a lobbying and electoral advocacy organization associated with Montana Environmental Information Center.  Its purpose is to support legislative lobbying. 16 The organization’s 2022 990-N (e-Postcard) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) filing shows an income of less than $50,000. 17

The Montana Environmental Information Center Permanent Fund is MEIC’s 501(c)(3) endowment fund. As of 2022, its revenue was $30,646. In 2025, MEIC stated that it planned to dedicate a portion of the fund to “grow staff capacity.” 18 19

Funding

A primary source of Montana Environmental Information Center’s support is drawn from grants and individual gift memberships, with grants supplying approximately half the organization’s income and the remainder from gift memberships. A small percentage of income is derived from investments and gaming. 20 21

Grant funders have included the Brainerd Foundation, the High Stakes Foundation, 22 and the Montana Community Foundation. 23 24

Leadership

Carolyn Kimball is the executive director, and former development director, of Montana Environmental Information Center. She has a master’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Montana. 25

References

  1.  “Home – Montana Environmental Information Center – MEIC.” Accessed August 27, 2024. https://meic.org/
  2. “THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MONTANA” – Mont. Const. art. II, § 3; Mont. Const. Art. IX, § 2. Accessed August 27, 2024. https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0000/chapters_index.html
  3. “Climate & Energy – Montana Environmental Information Center – MEIC.” Accessed August 27, 2024.  https://meic.org/our-work/climate-energy/
  4. “Climate & Energy – Montana Environmental Information Center – MEIC.” Accessed August 27, 2024.  https://meic.org/our-work/climate-energy/
  5. “Climate & Energy – Montana Environmental Information Center – MEIC.” Accessed August 27, 2024.  https://meic.org/our-work/climate-energy/
  6. “Climate & Energy – Montana Environmental Information Center – MEIC.” Accessed August 27, 2024.  https://meic.org/our-work/climate-energy/
  7. “Protecting Air & Water – Montana Environmental Information Center – MEIC.” Accessed August 27, 2024. https://meic.org/our-work/protecting-air-water/
  8. “2022 Form 990 for Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) | Cause IQ.” Accessed August 27, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/view_990/237337100/99415c99936eed8949a66705d42b9702
  9. Montana Trout Unlimited. “Montana Trout Unlimited | Protecting Trout & Clean, Cold Water.” Accessed August 29, 2024. https://montanatu.org/
  10. “Press Release: Tribes, Conservation Groups Seek Intervention in Enforcement Action Against Little Rocky Mountains Miners – Montana Environmental Information Center – MEIC.” Accessed August 28, 2024. https://meic.org/press-release-tribes-conservation-groups-seek-intervention-in-enforcement-action-against-little-rocky-mountains-miners/
  11. “Press Release: Montana Supreme Court Again Rebukes NorthWestern Energy on Clean Energy Projects – Montana Environmental Information Center – MEIC.” Accessed August 28, 2024. https://meic.org/press-release-montana-supreme-court-again-rebukes-northwestern-energy-on-clean-energy-projects/
  12. “Save Our Smith.” Accessed August 29, 2024. https://saveoursmith.com/
  13. Earthjustice. “Montana Supreme Court Overturns District Court Ruling That Blocked Mine’s Operating Permit.” Accessed August 29, 2024. https://earthjustice.org/press/2024/montana-supreme-court-overturns-district-court-ruling-that-blocked-mines-operating-permit
  14. “Save Our Smith.” Accessed August 29, 2024. https://saveoursmith.com/
  15. columnists, Jessie Wiles and Derf Johnson Guest. “Guest Column: Let’s Band Together to Protect Our Smith River!” Bozeman Daily Chronicle, May 30, 2024. Accessed August 30, 2024, https://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/opinions/guest_columnists/guest-column-let-s-band-together-to-protect-our-smith-river/article_f73e7814-1dcf-11ef-bf74-db5f1c4082d7.html
  16. “2022 Form 990 for Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) | Cause IQ.” Accessed August 27, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/view_990/237337100/99415c99936eed8949a66705d42b9702
  17. IRS. Montana Environmental Information Center Action Fund. Accessed August 27, 2024.  https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/details/
  18. “2022 Form 990 for Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) | Cause IQ.” Accessed August 27, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/view_990/237337100/99415c99936eed8949a66705d42b9702
  19. “Down to Earth – Montana Environmental Information Center – MEIC.” Accessed August 27, 2024. https://meic.org/down-to-earth/
  20. “2022 Form 990 for Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) | Cause IQ.” Accessed August 27, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/view_990/237337100/99415c99936eed8949a66705d42b9702
  21. “Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) | Helena, MT | Cause IQ.” Accessed August 27, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/montana-environmental-information-center,237337100/
  22. High Stakes Foundation. “Home Page.” Accessed August 30, 2024. https://highstakesfoundation.org/home-page/
  23. Montana Community Foundation. “All About Montana’s Future.” Accessed August 30, 2024. https://mtcf.org/
  24. “Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) | Helena, MT | Cause IQ.” Accessed August 27, 2024. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/montana-environmental-information-center,237337100/
  25. LinkedIn. “Cari Kimball.” Accessed August 28, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/cari-kimball-92131022/
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: March 1, 1978

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2022 Dec Form 990 $766,527 $726,007 $857,323 $29,932 N $722,317 $0 $5,612 $147,201
    2021 Dec Form 990 $720,019 $618,108 $849,737 $62,866 N $681,049 $0 $2,370 $158,488
    2020 Dec Form 990 $950,943 $651,794 $932,239 $177,993 N $915,357 $146 $7,207 $166,129
    2019 Dec Form 990 $655,164 $562,613 $647,391 $48,977 N $599,263 $8,409 $9,154 $72,625 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $618,384 $583,357 $644,722 $81,659 N $588,527 $6,545 $8,323 $70,938 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $591,354 $527,862 $653,878 $119,277 N $560,771 $6,684 $4,133 $69,695 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $600,147 $503,955 $585,168 $109,185 N $588,003 $8,570 $2,634 $66,759 PDF
    2015 Dec Form 990 $626,567 $535,104 $503,008 $122,442 N $600,009 $6,980 $1,832 $75,203 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990 $585,762 $550,916 $454,549 $118,050 N $574,927 $9,748 $1,831 $74,897 PDF
    2013 Dec Form 990 $545,699 $496,895 $473,680 $170,762 N $511,759 $11,645 $1,780 $73,949 PDF
    2012 Dec Form 990 $502,013 $471,816 $411,190 $154,584 N $488,795 $6,054 $1,686 $68,010 PDF
    2011 Dec Form 990 $505,317 $520,658 $329,367 $75,274 N $465,817 $20,558 $1,578 $63,177 PDF

    Additional Filings (PDFs)

    Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC)


    Helena, MT