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Passes our checks

Tumbleweed Runaway Program Inc

EIN 36-3343886 · Billings, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TUMBLEWEED MEETS AT-RISK YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS WHERE THEY ARE AND STRIVES TO CREATE A CONTINUUM OF CARE, MAKING SPACE FOR HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY. FOUNDED IN 1976, TUMBLEWEED IS A NON-PROFIT, COMMUNITY-BASED AGENCY SERVING HOMELESS, TRAFFICKED, RUNAWAY, AND OTHERWISE AT-RISK YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$998,368
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
5.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
22
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$95,054, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 June 30, 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. $579,425 spent. FOUNDED IN 1976, TUMBLEWEED RUNAWAY PROGRAM, INC. (TUMBLEWEED) IS A NONPROFIT, COMMUNITY-BASED, CORPORATION LOCATED IN BILLINGS, MONTANA. TUMBLEWEED MEETS AT-RISK YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS WHERE THEY ARE AND STRIVES TO CREATE A CONTINUUM OF CARE, MAKING SPACE FOR HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SERVICES TO HOMELESS, TRAFFICKED, RUNAWAY, AND OTHERWISE AT-RISK YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS. TUMBLEWEED'S CRISIS COUNSELING AND YOUTH SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND ARE FREE OF CHARGE. INTENSIVE SERVICES INCLUDE CRISIS PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION; FAMILY COUNSELING; ADOLESCENT SUPPORT GROUPS; INFORMATION, ADVOCACY, AND REFERRAL TO OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES; PARENTING COURSES; AFTERCARE AND ASSISTANCE WITH RUNAWAY YOUTH AND REUNITING THEM WITH THEIR PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIANS. THE RESOURCE CENTER OFFERS INDIVIDUALIZED ADVOCACY TO YOUTH AS THEY MOVE FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 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 May 1985.

    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.