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Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development Area Inc

EIN 23-7380551 · Butte, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE, ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVES AND GOALS OF THE AREA PLAN/COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC STRATEGY; A COMMUNITY OR GROUP APPROACH IN SOLVING CULTURAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS IS ENCOURAGED.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$931,359
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
9
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$46,200, 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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 46% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 60% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (1)
  1. $914,386 spent. THE ORGANIZATION IMPROVES HUMAN AND NATURAL RESOURCES, AND ENHANCES THE ENVIRONMENT AND STANDARD OF LIVING IN SEVEN COUNTIES IN SOUTHWEST MONTANA THROUGH CONSERVATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND EDUCATION. HEADWATERS OFFERS THE FOLLOWING SERVICES: GRANT ADMINISTRATION, ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS, CONSENSUS BUILDING, SMALL BUSINESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER, SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, LOAN PACKAGING, FINANCE PROGRAMS, REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR BOARD AND COMMITTEE APPROVED PROJECTS, HOMEBUYER EDUCATION CLASS, ENTRY LEVEL ENTREPRENEUR INFORMATION AND EDUCATION AND FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER.

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 August 1994.

    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.