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Friends of Irish Studies in the West

EIN 26-1391012 · Missoula, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceWeak19 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE, ENCOURAGE & PRESERVE IRISH CULTURE IN MT AND NORTHERN ROCKIES; TO GATHER RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE IRISH STUDIES PROGRAM AT U OF MT; TO OFFER GRANTS TO SUPPORT THE STUDY OF IRISH LANGUARE AND CULTURE.

Income
$245,073
Spending
$291,611
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
5.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 44%
Employees
0

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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% 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: 19 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 11 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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.

  • 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. $281,634 spent. The Friends of Irish Studies Activities for 2024The Friends of Irish Studies had a very busy 2024 organizing and supporting cultural events, sponsoring language courses, leading tours to Ireland, funding programs at the University of Montana, creating educational opportunities, and partnering with ACIS to host the American Conference for Irish Studies.Educational and Institutional Support1.The Friends funded the creation of a virtual exchange between elementary and high schools in Montana and in Ireland. Hosted by Inspired classroom, the project facilitated an exchange between 14 schools and ran for six weeks in the spring, 20242.The Friends donated the funding to the University of Montana to bring two Fulbright Teaching Assistants in the Irish language to campus for the academic years 2023-24 and 2024-25.3.The Friends donated the funding to UM to offer a 3-credit online course in Irish Traditional Music in the spring, 20244.The Friends donated the funding to UM to offer a 3-credit course in Traditional Irish Song in the fall, 2024 5.The Friends donated the funding to UM to offer a 2-credit course in Irish Traditional Dance in the fall, 20246.The Friends donated the funding to the Butte Silver Bow Archives to support the digitization of records that relate to the history of the Irish in Montana.7.The Friends sponsored online classes for non-traditional students in the spring and fall of 20248.The Friends organized and funded the one-week Irish language immersion course in Butte in July 20249.The Friends partnered with the American Conference for Irish Studies (ACIS) to host the western conference in Missoula in September, 2024Cultural Events1.The Friends hosted the traditional Irish music band, Lnasa, in the UM Recital Hall on 11 March 2024. This was a very successful event that attracted a full house. 2.The Friends partnered with the Ancient Order of Hibernians to organize the annual St. Patricks Day Parade, honor the Irish man and woman of the year, and host the St. Patricks Day banquet. The parade and banquet were a resounding success.3.The Friends sponsored the Mission Mountain Irish Music Camp again in the summer of 2024. Over 100 musicians attended the four-day event.4.Irish Festival. The Friends organized and hosted the Filte Montana Irish festival. Over 3,000 people attended this free event that focused on local musicians, dancers and performers. 5.The Friends donated funding to the Thomas Meagher Hurling Club in Missoula for the purchase of equipment.

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 February 2009.

    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.