Passes our checks

Recreational Aviation Foundation

EIN 42-1613294 · Bozeman, MT

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

What it says it does

THE RECREATIONAL AVIATION FOUNDATION PRESERVES, IMPROVES, AND CREATES AIRSTRIPS FOR RECREATIONAL ACCESS.

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 67.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15
Income fell 64% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

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

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

Independent board
25 of 25
9 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15
Has a 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
5 of 5
Keeps 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.
Independent check of accounts
0 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 (5)

$156,300 spent. THE RAF MAINTAINED AND IMPROVED AIRSTRIPS AND RELATED FACILITIES AT NUMEROUS AIRFIELDS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BOWMAN FIELD (ME), RYAN FIELD (MT), HANLEY FIELD (MI), AND MOOSE CREEK (ID), WITH A FOCUS ON PROVIDING ONGOING INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND SAFETY AND AMENITY IMPROVEMENTS.
$37,800 spent. RAF CONTINUES TO ENHANCE THE DESIGN OF ITS ONLINE AIRFIELD GUIDE NOW FEATURING OVER 400 AIRSTRIPS TO IMPROVE ITS FUNCTIONALITY, USER- FRIENDLINESS AND INTERACTIVE FUNCTIONS.
$205,400 spent. RAF AWARDED 14 GRANTS FOR AIRFIELD PROJECTS ACROSS THE US. THESE GRANTS SUPPORTED UPGRADES OF MANY KINDS, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT OF CAMPGROUNDS, FENCES, AND RESTROOM AND SHOWER FACILITIES.
$205,088 spent. OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS FELL UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE PROMOTION AND BETTERMENT OF RECREATIONAL AIRSTRIPS.
OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS FELL UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE PROMOTION AND BETTERMENT OF RECREATIONAL AIRSTRIPS.

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 June 2004.
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.