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Center Pole

EIN 20-8780215 · Garryowen, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceWeak33 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Promote knowledge, equity, justice, opportunity, and prosperity in Indian reservation communities and preserve and protect Indigenous lifeways.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
4
Volunteers
350
Highest pay
$56,500, 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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% 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

Weak: 33 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 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 (4)
  1. $1.2 million spent. Food Sovereignty/Healthy Food Systems/Sustainability:Establishment of a healthy foods hub allowing greater food access in the rural reservation "food desert." The hub includes a food bank, a healthy foods cafe, and a food distribution project delivering approximately 800,000 pounds of food a year to two impoverished reservations and surrounding isolated communities as well as making deliveries to those without transportation; a program that serves the specialized needs of elders while involving them in the process through sharing their wisdom and their knowledge of traditional foods and lifeways, and an educational program that promotes healthy lifestyles and teaches nutrition, natural farming, hunting, gathering wild plants and medicines and the preparation of traditional foods. A land-based Indigenous Learning Center is in the process of development to be a learning and training center for food sovereignty, traditional land recovery and restoration and the preservation of the biodiversity of Mother Earth.
  2. $200,000 spent. Social Enterprise/Work Force/Community Sustainability, Cultural Heritage Tourism:A volunteer force of disenfranchised reservation youth, young adults and families are trained in workforce, business skills and life skills at our social enterprises that include a coffee roasting business, a community radio station, a resale shop, a cafe and gift shop and cultural tourism projects. Interns learn about creating non-profit organizations and businesses, money management skills and setting personal, educational and career goals.
  3. $120,000 spent. Youth Development and Leadership, Community Healing from Historical Trauma, Cultural Sustainability Activities:Reservation youth participate in enrichment activities that include Crow language, history and heritage; wilderness skills; Native skills; Native games; literacy and academic enrichment; community radio; life skills, sustainable living and other leadership activities. Promising youth participate in educational programs beyond the reservation and are assisted with college and career opportunities. They are provided tools to make change in their communities as well as learn to be successful in the greater global environment. Through intergenerational relationships with Elders and Culture Keepers, youth are mentored in Crow cultural ways and learn to lead community cultural events and eremonies that promote healing from historical trauma. A new pilot program places select preteen youth in an expeditionary education middle school environment, including trauma therapy and individualized mentoring. Approximately 3600 reservation youth are assisted by the Center Pole.
  4. $140,616 spent. Basic Needs:Household and other donated items are gathered from estate sales in Wyoming in Montana and distributed to those in need in reservation communities to improve living conditions. These items included bedroom furniture, school supplies, washers, dryers, sports equipment, office supplies, office furniture, household items, vehicles, frozen food, equipment, tools, and clothing. Center Pole also transports and distributes these supplies to other reservations.

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 October 13, 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 June 2012.

    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 October 21, 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.