Madison River Foundation
Madison River Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Ennis, Montana that conserves the Madison River watershed through habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, environmental education, and community outreach, funded by individual donations, memberships, an annual gala, and corporate partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersEnnis, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Madison River Foundation does
Madison River Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation founded in 2003 and headquartered in Ennis, Montana, dedicated to conserving the Madison River watershed in southwest Montana. The organization operates through three core program pillars — conservation science and habitat restoration, environmental education, and community outreach — delivered by a core staff of five preservationists under Executive Director Keith Brauneis. Active programs include side channel, O'Dell Creek (Phase 19 of 20), West Fork Madison, Moore Creek, and Jack Creek restoration projects; USGS-partnered water quality monitoring and a Tributary Blitz initiative with the Madison Conservation District Stream Team; Trout in the Classroom with Ennis Middle School; college scholarships (eight at $1,500 each annually) for earth-science students; a Watershed Ambassador program staffed by professional fly fishing guides; and a Wild & Scenic Designation campaign.
The foundation has no product or service revenue in the commercial sense. It is funded through a diversified donation stack: tax-deductible individual donations (including restricted funds for River Science, Restoration, Education, and O'Dell Creek), annual individual memberships in the Madison River Advocates program, an annual Summer Gala with ticket and auction revenue, Platinum/Gold/Silver business partnerships (2026 Platinum partners include Arctic Circle, Far Bank, Fishpond, Orvis, and Patagonia), 1% For The Planet pass-through contributions, and legacy/planned giving via bequests and appreciated assets. Operational partners include Northwestern Energy, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, USGS, GEUM Environmental Consulting, and Jack Creek Preserve Foundation.
Go-to-market is community-led and regional: direct donor engagement via the foundation's website and newsletter, in-person fundraising at the Summer Gala, on-water stewardship via Watershed Ambassadors, and content marketing including a documentary ("They Call Me Madison") and a dedicated content hub capitalizing on Taylor Sheridan's TV series "The Madison." The Madison River is publicly accessible and experiences more than 200,000 recreational user days annually; the foundation does not sell access or services but stewards the resource on behalf of anglers, ranchers, residents, and downstream communities across seven states before the river reaches the Gulf of Mexico.
Madison River Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Madison River Foundation
- Legal name
- Madison River Foundation
- Website
- https://madisonriverfoundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Madison River Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Ennis, Montana that conserves the Madison River watershed through habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, environmental education, and community outreach, funded by individual donations, memberships, an annual gala, and corporate partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Madison River Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Watershed Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)
Keywords
Where Madison River Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ennis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Madison River Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting watershed conservation, restoration, and education. Donors can direct funds to specific restricted funds (General Unrestricted, River Science, Restoration, Education, O Dell Creek Project) or make unrestricted gifts.
- Individual Memberships: Annual memberships to the Madison River Advocates program, providing ongoing support and engagement with the foundation's work.
- Event Fundraising: Annual Summer Gala fundraiser with tickets, silent and live auctions generating revenue for conservation programs. Also includes side channel fundraisers and guide appreciation events.
- Business Partnership Program: Platinum, Gold, and Silver tier business partnerships where companies support the foundation in exchange for recognition and association with conservation efforts.
- Legacy Giving: Planned giving through bequests, retirement account beneficiaries, life insurance, and appreciated assets supporting long-term organizational sustainability.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Madison River Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Madison River Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that conserves the Madison River watershed through habitat restoration projects (side channels, O'Dell Creek, tributaries), water quality monitoring, and environmental education programs. The Foundation funds this work via individual donations, annual memberships, business partnerships, a Summer Gala fundraiser, and legacy giving, while training professional fly fishing guides as on-water ambassadors.
Product overview
Madison River Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting watershed health in the Madison River basin through conservation, restoration, and education. Rather than a technology product company, the Foundation offers a portfolio of conservation programs and services including habitat restoration projects (side channel, tributary, and creek restoration), water quality monitoring, environmental education initiatives (Trout in the Classroom, scholarships, Watershed Speaker Series), community engagement programs (membership, volunteer opportunities, business partnerships), annual fundraising events (Summer Gala), planned giving options (Legacy Giving), and educational media content (documentary film, newsletter). The Foundation partners with scientists, agencies, landowners, and community members to monitor river health, restore habitat, and educate the public about protecting the Madison River watershed.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Madison River Advocates Membership Program Annual individual membership program enabling community members to support Madison River conservation through recurring donations, providing ongoing engagement with the Foundation's restoration, education, and science programs.
- Business Partnership Program Corporate sponsorship program with Platinum, Gold, and Silver partner tiers enabling businesses to support river conservation through annual partnerships in exchange for recognition and association with conservation efforts.
- Legacy Giving Program Planned giving options including bequests, retirement account beneficiary designations, life insurance, and gifts of appreciated assets to support long-term Madison River watershed protection.
- Summer Gala Fundraiser Annual fundraising gala held on the second Saturday of July featuring dinner, live and silent auctions, and presentations; the 2026 Gala is scheduled for July 11, 2026 at Madison Double R Ranch.
- Donor-Funded Restricted Funds Designated donation funds allowing donors to direct contributions to specific conservation areas including the General Unrestricted Fund, River Science Restricted Fund, Restoration Restricted Fund, Education Restricted Fund, and O'Dell Creek Project Restricted Fund.
- Watershed Ambassador Program Program that trains professional fly fishing guides to serve as on-water stewards, engaging directly with anglers and visitors to promote responsible recreation and gather informal observations about river conditions.
- Volunteer Programs Community volunteer opportunities including fencing and riparian field work, river conservation projects, trout rescue, and office maintenance.
- College Scholarship Program Annual scholarship program awarding eight $1,500 scholarships (up to $12,000 per year) to college-bound students from Ennis, West Yellowstone, Bozeman, and Gallatin High Schools who pursue earth-science-related fields such as fisheries, forestry, aquatic ecology, hydrology, and biology.
- They Call Me Madison Documentary Documentary film exploring what the Madison River means to the community, featuring interviews with ranchers, anglers, residents, and business owners about the river's importance.
Quantifiable outcome
- 200,000+ recreational user days annually supported through conservation efforts
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Madison River Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Madison River Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Madison River Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- 1% For The PlanetcoreGlobal network of businesses committing 1% of annual revenue to environmental nonprofits. MRF is honored as a beneficiary for members seeking to support watershed conservation.
- Madison Conservation District Stream TeamcorePartnership on tributary monitoring and water quality testing including the Tributary Blitz initiative testing waters throughout the watershed.
- Northwestern EnergycorePartner in side channel restoration work along the Madison River, providing support for habitat restoration initiatives.
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & ParkscoreState agency partner collaborating on restoration projects and maintaining state jurisdiction over fishing and hunting regulations.
- USGScoreUnited States Geological Survey partnered with MRF to install a monitoring gauge station at Ennis, providing public access to flow, temperature, and dissolved oxygen data.
- Ennis Middle SchoolminorPartner in Trout in the Classroom program teaching fifth graders about trout lifecycles, habitat, and environmental conditions.
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServicecoreFederal agency partner in Trout in the Classroom program and broader conservation efforts.
- U.S. Forest ServicecoreFederal agency partner hosting Bear Creek Days conservation education event and involved in restoration work.
- Jack Creek Preserve Foundation (JCPF)corePartner hosting Fly Fishing Skills Camp for ages 14-16 at Jack Creek Preserve.
- Arctic Circleminor2026 Platinum Business Partner supporting MRF conservation efforts.
- Far Bankminor2026 Platinum Business Partner supporting MRF conservation efforts.
- Fishpondminor2026 Platinum Business Partner supporting MRF conservation efforts.
- Orvisminor2026 Platinum Business Partner supporting MRF conservation efforts.
- Patagoniaminor2026 Platinum Business Partner supporting MRF conservation efforts.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Madison River Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- River Network: A national nonprofit that supports and connects local watershed organizations, with capacity-building, training, and resources for groups like MRF. Directly comparable constituency (local watershed nonprofits) and ecosystem-support mission.
- Trout Unlimited: The largest U.S. coldwater fisheries and river conservation nonprofit, focused on trout habitat, water quality, and restoration across many river systems. Directly comparable mission and programming to MRF, but operating at a national scale with hundreds of chapters.
- Gallatin River Task Force: A Montana-based watershed nonprofit focused on water quality monitoring, restoration, and community education on the Gallatin River, a Madison River tributary. Highly comparable structure, scope, and science-based programming in an adjacent southwest Montana watershed.
- Big Hole River Foundation: A Montana-based nonprofit dedicated to conserving the Big Hole River through restoration, science, and education. Directly comparable model to MRF: small staff, regional focus, donor-supported trout/river conservation with federal and state partnerships.
Broad incumbents
- American Rivers: A national river conservation organization advocating for river protection, restoration funding, and clean water policy. Overlaps with MRF's river-restoration mission but at a national advocacy scale rather than single-watershed implementation.
- The Nature Conservancy - Montana: Global conservation nonprofit with active Montana chapter work on rivers, land, and fisheries habitat. Comparable conservation and restoration activities but at significantly larger scale and broader portfolio than MRF's watershed-specific focus.
Regional players
- Yellowstone Forever: The official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park, operating education, conservation, and fundraising programs in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem that includes the Madison River headwaters. Comparable regional focus and donor-supported conservation model, with much larger scale.
- Montana Land Reliance: Montana-based land conservation nonprofit working with private landowners on conservation easements. Comparable regional scale, donor base, and conservation mission in the same Montana geography, though focused on land rather than rivers.
Others
- 1% For The Planet: Global network connecting businesses that commit 1% of revenue to environmental nonprofits, of which MRF is a beneficiary partner. Comparable environmental nonprofit network model and a current strategic partner of MRF's fundraising stack.
- Leave No Trace: National nonprofit educating outdoor recreation participants on responsible use of natural areas. Mission-adjacent to MRF's recreation-stewardship and visitor-education work, with overlapping audience of outdoor recreation users.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Madison River Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceMadison River Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Madison River Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Madison River Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Madison River Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Madison River Foundation
What does Madison River Foundation do?
Madison River Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that conserves the Madison River watershed through habitat restoration projects (side channels, O'Dell Creek, tributaries), water quality monitoring, and environmental education programs. The Foundation funds this work via individual donations, annual memberships, business partnerships, a Summer Gala fundraiser, and legacy giving, while training professional fly fishing guides as on-water ambassadors.
Is Madison River Foundation a public or private company?
Madison River Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Madison River Foundation founded?
Madison River Foundation was founded in 2003. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Madison River Foundation based?
Madison River Foundation is headquartered in Ennis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Madison River Foundation make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are individual Memberships, event Fundraising, business Partnership Program and legacy Giving.
Who are Madison River Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are River Network, Trout Unlimited, Gallatin River Task Force and Big Hole River Foundation. Broad incumbents are American Rivers and The Nature Conservancy - Montana. Regional players are Yellowstone Forever and Montana Land Reliance. Others are 1% For The Planet and Leave No Trace.
Does Madison River Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Madison River Foundation.
What industry is Madison River Foundation in?
Madison River Foundation's product category is Watershed Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAK, Water Resources & Watershed Protection, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAE, Marine & Freshwater Conservation. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 8600.