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Maps Media Institute Inc

EIN 20-1279915 · Hamilton, MT

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MAPS MEDIA INSTITUTE IS A NONPROFIT EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO "EMPOWER, INSPIRE, AND PREPARE MONTANA'S NEXT GENERATION FOR SUCCESS THROUGH PROFESSIONAL MEDIA ARTS INSTRUCTION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND COMPASSIONATE MENTORING."

Income
$597,500
Spending
$576,560
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
25
Highest pay
$92,067, secretary/ex

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 72% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (6)
  1. $212,676 spent. PART LLL, 4A: RAVALLI AND LEWIS & CLARK COUNTIES MAPS MEDIA INSTITUTE OPERATES COMPREHENSIVE, TUITION-FREE AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER MEDIA-ARTS PROGRAMS FOR GRADES 8-12 IN RAVALLI AND LEWIS & CLARK COUNTIES. THESE FLAGSHIP SITES DELIVER 32-WEEK AFTERSCHOOL AND MULTI-WEEK SUMMER SESSIONS OFFERING FILMMAKING, DIGITAL DESIGN, MUSIC PRODUCTION, PHOTOJOURNALISM, AND PODCASTING. 2024 STUDENT PROJECT EXAMPLES INCLUDE: RAVALLI COUNTY STUDENTS COLLABORATED WITH THE BITTERROOT WATER PARTNERSHIP ON A 14-WEEK NARRATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT CULMINATING IN A PUBLIC EXHIBITION, WHILE HELENA-AREA STUDENTS CREATED A COMMUNITY MURAL AND PRODUCED PUBLIC-SERVICE VIDEOS WITH QUEEN CITY BIKE KITCHEN. COLLECTIVELY, THESE PROGRAMS SERVED YOUTH FROM NINE DISTRICTS AND HOMESCHOOL COMMUNITIES, BUILDING CREATIVE AND TECHNICAL SKILLS THAT FOSTER ACADEMIC SUCCESS, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND FUTURE CAREER READINESS. PART LLL, 4A: RAVALLI AND LEWIS & CLARK COUNTIES MAPS MEDIA INSTITUTE OPERATES COMPREHENSIVE, TUITION-FREE AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER MEDIA-ARTS PROGRAMS FOR GRADES 8-12 IN RAVALLI AND LEWIS & CLARK COUNTIES. THESE FLAGSHIP SITES DELIVER 32-WEEK AFTERSCHOOL AND MULTI-WEEK SUMMER SESSIONS OFFERING FILMMAKING, DIGITAL DESIGN, MUSIC PRODUCTION, PHOTOJOURNALISM, AND PODCASTING. 2024 STUDENT PROJECT EXAMPLES INCLUDE: RAVALLI COUNTY STUDENTS COLLABORATED WITH THE BITTERROOT WATER PARTNERSHIP ON A 14-WEEK NARRATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT CULMINATING IN A PUBLIC EXHIBITION, WHILE HELENA-AREA STUDENTS CREATED A COMMUNITY MURAL AND PRODUCED PUBLIC-SERVICE VIDEOS WITH QUEEN CITY BIKE KITCHEN. COLLECTIVELY, THESE PROGRAMS SERVED YOUTH FROM NINE DISTRICTS AND HOMESCHOOL COMMUNITIES, BUILDING CREATIVE AND TECHNICAL SKILLS THAT FOSTER ACADEMIC SUCCESS, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, AND FUTURE CAREER READINESS.
  2. $82,730 spent. PART LLL, 4B: MAPS MEDIA LAB STATEWIDE EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH: THE MAPS MEDIA LAB EXTENDS FREE, MOBILE MEDIA-ARTS EDUCATION TO RURAL AND TRIBAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH SHORT-TERM IMMERSIVE WORKSHOPS AND CLIENT-BASED STORYTELLING PROJECTS . IN 2024, MEDIA LAB COLLABORATIONS INCLUDED THE BLACKFEET COMMUNITY COLLEGE DOCUMENTARY TRAINING SERIES PRESERVING THE INTERNATIONAL BLACKFOOT RESEARCH CONFERENCE; A BILLINGS INDIGENOUS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PROJECT FUNDED BY THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN TRIBAL LEADERS COUNCIL (WALKING BETWEEN TWO WORLDS); AND A FILM WORKSHOP WITH STOKE IN TOWNSEND HIGHLIGHTING RURAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP. EACH INITIATIVE CONNECTED STUDENTS WITH ARTISTS AND KNOWLEDGE KEEPERS TO PRODUCE FILMS THAT ELEVATE COMMUNITY VOICES, INTEGRATE STEM/STEAM CONCEPTS, AND DEVELOP CAREER PATHWAYS IN MONTANA'S CREATIVE ECONOMY. PART LLL, 4B: MAPS MEDIA LAB STATEWIDE EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH: THE MAPS MEDIA LAB EXTENDS FREE, MOBILE MEDIA-ARTS EDUCATION TO RURAL AND TRIBAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH SHORT-TERM IMMERSIVE WORKSHOPS AND CLIENT-BASED STORYTELLING PROJECTS . IN 2024, MEDIA LAB COLLABORATIONS INCLUDED THE BLACKFEET COMMUNITY COLLEGE DOCUMENTARY TRAINING SERIES PRESERVING THE INTERNATIONAL BLACKFOOT RESEARCH CONFERENCE; A BILLINGS INDIGENOUS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PROJECT FUNDED BY THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN TRIBAL LEADERS COUNCIL (WALKING BETWEEN TWO WORLDS); AND A FILM WORKSHOP WITH STOKE IN TOWNSEND HIGHLIGHTING RURAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP. EACH INITIATIVE CONNECTED STUDENTS WITH ARTISTS AND KNOWLEDGE KEEPERS TO PRODUCE FILMS THAT ELEVATE COMMUNITY VOICES, INTEGRATE STEM/STEAM CONCEPTS, AND DEVELOP CAREER PATHWAYS IN MONTANA'S CREATIVE ECONOMY.
  3. $32,501 spent. PART LLL, 4C: CLIENT PROJECTS THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO PUT THEIR MEDIA SKILLS TO WORK AND STRENGTHEN THEIR COMMUNITIES BY SUPPORTING LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NONPROFITS. IN FY23, MAPS PARTNERED WITH ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS MONTANA FOR IMPACTFUL COMMUNITY MEDIA PROJECTS. MONTANA OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION (OPI): COLLABORATED WITH OPI TO PRODUCE VIDEOS FOR RURAL OUT-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN BOULDER, BOX ELDER, AND LEWISTOWN. THESE PROJECTS HIGHLIGHTED LOCAL STORIES AND WERE PART OF THE OPI 21ST CCLC INITIATIVE, WHICH UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY OUT- OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING. BITTERROOT WATER PARTNERSHIP: PARTNERED WITH THE BITTERROOT WATER PARTNERSHIP TO CREATE A SERIES OF NARRATIVE PORTRAITS AND PHOTO ESSAYS THAT SHOWCASE THE BITTERROOT RIVER'S SIGNIFICANCE. THESE WORKS, EMPHASIZING CONSERVATION AND COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVES, WERE PUBLICLY EXHIBITED AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE SHARED ACROSS VARIOUS COUNTY SITES PART LLL, 4C: CLIENT PROJECTS THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO PUT THEIR MEDIA SKILLS TO WORK AND STRENGTHEN THEIR COMMUNITIES BY SUPPORTING LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NONPROFITS. IN FY23, MAPS PARTNERED WITH ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS MONTANA FOR IMPACTFUL COMMUNITY MEDIA PROJECTS. MONTANA OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION (OPI): COLLABORATED WITH OPI TO PRODUCE VIDEOS FOR RURAL OUT-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN BOULDER, BOX ELDER, AND LEWISTOWN. THESE PROJECTS HIGHLIGHTED LOCAL STORIES AND WERE PART OF THE OPI 21ST CCLC INITIATIVE, WHICH UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY OUT- OF-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING. BITTERROOT WATER PARTNERSHIP: PARTNERED WITH THE BITTERROOT WATER PARTNERSHIP TO CREATE A SERIES OF NARRATIVE PORTRAITS AND PHOTO ESSAYS THAT SHOWCASE THE BITTERROOT RIVER'S SIGNIFICANCE. THESE WORKS, EMPHASIZING CONSERVATION AND COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVES, WERE PUBLICLY EXHIBITED AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE SHARED ACROSS VARIOUS COUNTY SITES
  4. $194,546 spent. PART LLL, 4D: OTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS NATIONAL AND REGIONAL RECOGNITION: IN FY23 MAPS RECEIVED MULTIPLE AWARDS, INCLUDING THE TRAILBLAZER IN DIVERSITY AWARD AND THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS' AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES NW CHAPTER, HIGHLIGHTING MAPS' DEDICATION TO DIVERSITY IN MEDIA ARTS. MAPS CLIENT PRODUCTIONS PROGRAM MAPS CLIENT PRODUCTIONS PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL CREATIVE SERVICES TO MISSION-ALIGNED ORGANIZATIONS WHILE OFFERING STUDENTS PAID CAREER-TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN REAL-WORLD MEDIA PRODUCTION. FOR EXAMPLE, IN 2024, YOUTH AND STAFF COLLABORATED WITH THE MONTANA OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TO PRODUCE FILMS DOCUMENTING 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER PROGRAMS ACROSS BOULDER, LEWISTOWN, AND ROCKY BOY. THESE VIDEOS PROMOTED THE VALUE OF OUT-OF-SCHOOL LEARNING STATEWIDE AND ADVANCED MAPS' COMMITMENT TO USING MEDIA AS A TOOL FOR EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT .
  5. SCHEDULE O - PROGRAM SERVICE DESCRIPTIONS MAPS-FORT BELKNAP PROGRAM (NEW FOR 2024) LAUNCHED SEPTEMBER 2024 AS MAPS' THIRD YEAR-ROUND STUDIO, MAPS - FORT BELKNAP SERVES YOUTH AND FAMILIES OF THE AANIIIH AND NAKODA NATIONS. WITH ENDORSEMENT FROM TRIBAL COUNCIL AND LOCAL SCHOOLS, MAPS ESTABLISHED A DEDICATED MEDIA ARTS FACILITY FEATURING FILM, SOUND, AND DIGITAL DESIGN LABS. PROGRAMMING BLENDS CREATIVE EXPRESSION WITH CULTURAL PRESERVATION THROUGH PROJECTS SUCH AS THE AWARD-WINNING FORT BELKNAP WATER EDUCATION SERIES AND A YEARLONG DOCUMENTARY FILM CLASS ON INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOL HISTORY GUIDED BY NAKODA ELDER DONOVAN ARCHAMBAULT SR. THE PROGRAM BUILDS LOCAL CAPACITY BY EMPLOYING COMMUNITY EDUCATORS AND PARTNERING WITH AANIIIH NAKODA COLLEGE, THE TRIBAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM, AND CULTURAL LEADERS TO ENSURE CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE MEDIA EDUCATION FOR YOUTH IN THIS RURAL TRIBAL COMMUNITY .
  6. PART LLL, 4D: OTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS NATIONAL AND REGIONAL RECOGNITION: IN FY23 MAPS RECEIVED MULTIPLE AWARDS, INCLUDING THE TRAILBLAZER IN DIVERSITY AWARD AND THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS' AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES NW CHAPTER, HIGHLIGHTING MAPS' DEDICATION TO DIVERSITY IN MEDIA ARTS. MAPS CLIENT PRODUCTIONS PROGRAM MAPS CLIENT PRODUCTIONS PROVIDES PROFESSIONAL CREATIVE SERVICES TO MISSION-ALIGNED ORGANIZATIONS WHILE OFFERING STUDENTS PAID CAREER-TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN REAL-WORLD MEDIA PRODUCTION. FOR EXAMPLE, IN 2024, YOUTH AND STAFF COLLABORATED WITH THE MONTANA OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TO PRODUCE FILMS DOCUMENTING 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER PROGRAMS ACROSS BOULDER, LEWISTOWN, AND ROCKY BOY. THESE VIDEOS PROMOTED THE VALUE OF OUT-OF-SCHOOL LEARNING STATEWIDE AND ADVANCED MAPS' COMMITMENT TO USING MEDIA AS A TOOL FOR EDUCATION, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT .

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 2004.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.