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Oats Inc

EIN 43-1016961 · Columbia, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE BY PROVIDING SAFE, CARING, AND RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.

Income
$41.0 million
Spending
$34.6 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 50%
Employees
721
Volunteers
1,700
Highest pay
$159,831, it 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 14 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. $31.5 million spent. OATS TRANSIT IS GENERAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM SERVING 87 COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI. ANNUALLY, THE AGENCY PROVIDES 847,000 ONE-WAY TRIPS, AND TRAVELS MORE THAN 11.7 MILLION MILES WITH A FLEET OF OVER 700 VEHICLES. NORMAL OPERATING HOURS ARE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 6:00 AM-6:00 PM. MANY TIMES THE AGENCY OPERATES OUTSIDE OF THOSE HOURS DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE TRANSPORTATION SUCH AS DIALYSIS TREATMENTS, MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AND LONG-DISTANCE TRAVEL. IN ADDITION TO ITS OPERATING EXPENSES, REPLACEMENT OF VEHICLES IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR THE AGENCY TO ENSURE ITS FLEET IS SAFE AND OPERATES EFFICIENTLY. OATS TRANSIT RAISES FUNDS THROUGH DONATIONS AND GRANTS TO PURCHASE NEW VEHICLES. WHILE FEDERAL GRANTS PAY FOR A PORTION OF ITS FLEET, A 20% LOCAL MATCH IS REQUIRED FOR EACH NEW VEHICLE. THIS IS A CHALLENGE AND TAKES YEARS TO GET FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO MATCH ONE VEHICLE. THE AGENCY HAS AN EXTENSIVE FLEET PLAN WHICH INCLUDES FUTURE EXPANSION NEEDS AND MAJOR REPAIRS ON EACH VEHICLE. OUR LONG-TERM GOAL IS TO PROVIDE THE MOST TRANSPORTATION SERVICE FOR THE DOLLARS RECEIVED AND LOOK FOR OTHER MEANS OF SUPPORT TO CONTINUE OUR MISSION. A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER IS EMAILED TO PEOPLE AND ALSO SHARED ON THE AGENCY'S VARIOUS SOCIAL MEDIA SITES. THE AGENCY WEBSITE PROVIDES GENERAL INFORMATION, AS WELL AS BUS SCHEDULES FOR ALL 87 COUNTIES IT SERVES.

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 1974.

    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.