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Helena Lions Swim Team

EIN 23-7329723 · Helena, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HELENA LIONS SWIM TEAM IS A COMMUNITY-BASED COMPETITIVE SWIM TEAM, CHALLENGING SWIMMERS TO ACHIEVE PERSONAL EXCELLENCE IN SWIMMING AND IN LIFE. THE ORGANIZATION IS MANAGED BY VOLUNTEERS, BUT HAS PROFESSIONAL COACHING STAFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 80 SWIMMERS ANNUALLY. THE TEAM IS USA SWIMMING SANCTIONED AND HOLDS 2 HOME SWIM MEETS ANNUALLY IN ADDITION TO COMPETING IN MEETS ACROSS MONTANA AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. THE TEAM HAS A MODEST SCHOLARSHIP FUND TO OFFSET SEASONAL DUES FOR SWIMMERS OF FAMILIES IN FINANCIAL CRISIS.

Income
$223,559
Spending
$178,721
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
11.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
5
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$44,320, head swim coach

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    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

    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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, 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 (1)
  1. $164,221 spent. HELENA LIONS SWIM TEAM (HLST) IS LOCATED IN HELENA, MT. ITS SOLE PROGRAM IS TO DEVELOP SWIM ATHLETES TO ACHIEVE PERSONAL EXCELLENCE AT THEIR SPORT AND IN LIFE. EXCELLENCE IN THE POOL IS MEASURED BY PROGRESS IN FASTER SWIMMING TIMES AT COMPETITIONS, AS WELL AS BY PRACTICE ATTENDANCE, TO ATTEND SCHEDULED PRACTICES AND EVENTS, TO SHOW UP ON TIME, WORK HARD, AND MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. EXCELLENCE OUTSIDE THE POOL IS MEASURED BY PARTICIPATION IN FUNDRAISERS TO HELP SUPPORT THE TEAM; COMMUNITY SERVICE; AND BY DEVELOPING HEALTHY FRIENDSHIPS AND ACHIEVING ACADEMIC SUCCESS IN SCHOOL. HLST OPERATES YEAR-ROUND. SEPTEMBER THROUGH FEBRUARY IS THE SHORT COURSE (25 YARD POOL) SEASON; APRIL THROUGH JULY IS THE LONG COURSE (50 METER POOL) SEASON. MARCH AND AUGUST ARE REGIONAL COMPETITIONS; PACIFIC NORTHWEST SECTIONALS IN MARCH; WESTERN ZONES IN AUGUST. QUALIFIED SWIMMERS TRAVEL TO THOSE MEETS ACCOMPANIED BY COACHING STAFF AND CHAPERONES. DURING THE SHORT COURSE SEASON, HLST SERVED 72 SWIMMERS OF ALL SKILL LEVELS AND AGES 6-18, WHILE LONG COURSE SWIMMERS TOTALED 75. THE TEAM HOSTED TWO HOME MEETS WITH 298 AND 280 SWIMMERS PARTICIPATING, RESPECTIVELY. HLST OPERATES AT TWO LOCAL POOL FACILITIES OWNED BY HELENA YMCA AND THE CITY OF HELENA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, 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 August 2025.

    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 February 1975.

    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.