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Missoula Institute for Sustainabletransportation

EIN 20-5967694 · Missoula, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak36 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Mission of MIST is to create transportation that is safe, equitable and environmentally sound, fits within the landscape and culture of a particular area, conserves resources, and honors justice, equity, diversity, inclusiveness, accessibility, community health and a local economy. We emphasize and utilize music, art, bicycles, green building materials and techniques, permaculture and biomimicry. MIST values citizen participation, reuse and recycling, environmental stewardship and active transportation. MIST seeks active walking and cycling cultures, extensive transit systems that run on renewable energy, bicycle station and car share options, safe and flowing vehicle movement, networks of greenway corridors that connect people and open space, and an awareness and understanding of transportation issues and impacts. Free Cycles is a program of MIST. Free Cycles provides bikes, parts and help for a healthy community.

Income
$416,493
Spending
$439,216
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
-21.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
12
Volunteers
2,500
Highest pay
$15,289, executive director

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

Weak: 36 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 79% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% 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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $403,566 spent. FREE CYCLES: Provides bicycles, parts, tools, work space, and help for a healthy community. These services lead to increased mobility, exercise, and joy for the people who participate. Our programs are donation-based and available to people of all ages, identities, ethnicities, abilities, and income levels. Serving 25,000 people a year, Free Cycles addresses the need for sustainable and accessible transportation. Free Cycles helps the community with: Open Shop, Build-A-Bike, BikeWell Class, Youth Cycles, Civic Cyles and Social Cycles. The community shop space is open to the public during all hours of operation, which is Wednesday through Saturday, 10am-6pm. This is a free service, yet donations are appreciated.
  2. $10,000 spent. MIST researches, designs, collaborates, advocates and makes changes for a sustainable transportation system. We educate, grow relations and help with infrastructure changes. MIST supports healthy transportation and has a focus on protections for vulnerable street users. Our techniques include human scale arterial street design, modern single lane roundabouts, protected bike lanes and walk ways, accessible and affordable public transit and healthy community development.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2011.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.