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Special K Ranch Inc

EIN 36-3378581 · Columbus, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SPECIAL K RANCH PROVIDES FAMILY-ORIENTED CHRISTIAN HOMES, ON A WORKING RANCH FOR ADULTS WHO HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. RESIDENTS PERMANENTLY LIVE AND WORK ON THE RANCH, WHERE THEY RECEIVE 24-HR CARE FROM LIVE-IN HOME ADVISORS

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
87
Volunteers
80

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

Financial health

Good: 80 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • 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.

  • 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 September 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 (3)
  1. $2.1 million spent. THE RANCH'S VISION IS TO NURTURE THE HUMAN AND SPIRITUAL POTENTIAL OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE LEARNING DISABILITIES THROUGH RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS, LIVING AND WORKING IN AN INTERDEPENDENT COMMUNITY, RAISING THEIR SELF-ESTEEM, AND MAKING THEM VALUED CITIZENS. ACCEPTING A RESIDENT TO THE RANCH COMMUNITY IS VIEWED AS A LIFETIME COMMITMENT BY THE SPECIAL K RANCH ORGANIZATION.
  2. $84,545 spent. HORTICULTURE VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING:A) SEEDING, PROPAGATING, AND TRANSPLANTING ORNAMENTAL AND PERENNIAL BEDDING PLANTS BY RANCH RESIDENTIAL EMPLOYEES WHO PULL ORDERS, LOAD TRAILERS AND DELIVER THEIR PLANTS FOR RESALE TO RETAILERS THROUGHOUT SOUTH-CENTRAL MONTANA.B) PROPAGATING NATIVE SEEDLINGS AND VEGETATION IN COOPERATION WITH THE BLM WHICH ARE PICKED AND TRANSPLANTED THROUGHOUT MONTANAC) HOTHOUSE TOMATOES ARE STARTED FROM SEEDS AND VINE RIPENED BEFORE BEING PICKED, CLEANED, AND DELIVERED FOR SALE TO RETAIL GROCERS BY RANCH RESIDENTIAL EMPLOYEES.
  3. $53,371 spent. LIVESTOCK AND FARMING VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM THAT TEACHES IRRIGATION OF FIELDS, MOWING, BALING AND STACKING HAY, AND RAISING CATTLE, SHEEP, AND LAMBS FOR BOTH THE RANCH'S INTERNAL FOOD PROGRAM AND RESALE MARKETS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 October 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.