Passes our checks

Montana Hope Project Inc

EIN 36-3396371 · Helena, MT

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

What it says it does

GRANTING WISHES FOR MONTANA CHILDREN LIVING WITH CRITICAL ILLNESSES.

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 57% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 28% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
76% 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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
18 of 25
4 of 4 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
6 of 15
Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$269,640 spent. THE GOAL OF THE HOPE PROJECT IS TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE FOR CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN IN MONTANA. THE CONDITIONS THE CHILDREN FACE TYPICALLY REQUIRE MEDICAL INTERVENTION AND PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, AND FINANCIALLY DRAIN THE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE AVERAGE WISH GRANTED COSTS ABOUT $8,800, AND THE MOST REQUESTED WISH IS A TRIP TO WALT DISNEY WORLD. WISHES OVER THE YEARS HAVE INCLUDED TRIPS TO HAWAII, PROFESSIONAL SPORTS EVENTS, COMPUTERS, SHOPPING SPREES, CAMPING TRIPS, HOT TUBS, VEHICLE RESTORATIONS, CARIBBEAN CRUISES, A HORSE BUGGY, SPECIAL BICYCLES, ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS, VIDEO GAMES AND DREAM BEDROOMS. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, THE ENTIRE FAMILY IS INVOLVED IN THE WISH. AS A WAY TO FURTHER ENCOURAGE FAMILIES, THE HOPE PROJECT ALSO INVITES EACH WISH RECIPIENT AND THEIR FAMILY TO TWO REUNIONS A YEAR.GRANTING WISHES TO MONTANA CHILDREN HAS PROVEN TO BE A REWARDING ENDEAVOR AND HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THOSE INVOLVED WITH THE HOPE PROJECT. GRANTING WISHES, HOSTING REUNIONS AND FUND-RAISING EVENTS OFFER COMFORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO FAMILIES FACING DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES AND BRING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER IN SUPPORT OF THEIR NEIGHBORS. THOSE INVOLVED KNOW FIRST-HAND THE SPECIAL MEANING OF THE SMILE ON A CHILD'S FACE WHEN THEY RECEIVE THEIR WISH.THE ORGANIZATION IS SINCERE IN OUR BELIEF THAT THE LIVES OF CHILDREN ARE PRECIOUS AND SHOULD NEVER BE CUT SHORT WITHOUT THEIR WISHES COMING TRUE.

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1986.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.