Montana Preservation Alliance Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MONTANA PRESERVATION ALLIANCE (MPA) SAVES AND PROTECTS MONTANA'S HISTORIC PLACES, TRADITIONAL LANDSCAPES, AND CULTURAL HERITAGE. WE ARE THE ONLY STATEWIDE, NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROVIDING MONTANANS WITH THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO PRESERVE OUR STATE'S UNIQUE HISTORY AND CULTURE.
- Income
- $434,872
- Spending
- $425,101
- Spent on programs
- 54%
- Reserves
- 4.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 5
- Highest pay
- $94,245, executive dir.
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
Good: 73 out of 100.
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1554% 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: 36 out of 100.
Independent board
5 of 250 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $120,932 spent. RESTORATION AND TRAINING:Clients served: 50,000 population in communities served, statewide and nationwideAccomplishments: Launched the Preserve Montana Trades Corps; rehabilitated the Baxendale Schoolhouse Preservation Center in Helena; stabilized or rehabilitated historic properties in the Helena National Forest, Broadwater County, Virginia City, Dillon, St. Ignatius, Helena, Lincoln and Fort Benton; and hosted two hands-on training workshops at the Baxendale Schoolhouse Preservation Center.
- $64,226 spent. Education and OutreachClients served: 10,000 population in communities served, statewide and nationwide Accomplishments: Completed report entitled Investing in Montana: Montanas Historic Preservation Tax Credit; increased number of Explore Montana app sites; hosted Explore Montana: Hidden Helena self-guided architecture tour; developed quarterly newsletter, monthly e-newsletter and numerous social media posts; and maintained online preservation guidance for Montana audiences.
- $28,510 spent. Technical AssistanceClients served: 122,000 population of communities servedAccomplishments: Technical support, community preservation assistance and building assessments for threatened buildings and local development efforts in Helena, Virginia City, Missoula, and Miles City; and completed the publication Guidelines for Protecting Historic Resources from Wildland Fire.
- $16,692 spent. DocumentationClients served: 40,000 population in communities served, statewide and nationwide Accomplishments: Completed interpretive panels for Yager Butte Lookout in Custer-Gallatin National Forest, Powder River County; researched and drafted historic designation of Western Clay Manufacturing Company in Helena; and maintained and expanded electronic database of historic schools as part of the Big Sky Schoolhouse Survey.
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
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1988.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.