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Red Ants Pants Foundation

EIN 45-1237337 · Wht Sphr Spgs, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE RED ANTS PANTS FOUNDATION IS ORGANIZED TO DEVELOP AND EXPAND LEADERSHIP ROLES FOR WOMEN, TO PRESERVE AND SUPPORT WORKING FAMILY FARMS AND RANCHES AND TO ENRICH AND PROMOTE RURAL COMMUNITIES.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 73%
Employees
61
Volunteers
265
Highest pay
$95,619, executive director

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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

    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

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 (5)
  1. $1.0 million spent. MUSIC FESTIVAL: THE RED ANTS PANTS MUSIC FESTIVAL IS THE SEMINAL PROGRAM, ADVANCING THE MISSION IN THREE KEY WAYS. FIRST, THE FESTIVAL IS A MULTI-GENERATIONAL COMMUNITY EVENT, GATHERING UP TO 7,500 PEOPLE TO A WORKING CATTLE RANCH WHERE ATTENDEES EXPERIENCE A CELEBRATION STEEPED IN RURAL TRADITIONS AND VALUES. SECOND, THE FESTIVAL ACTIVELY TEACHES AGRICULTURAL SKILLS THAT ARE INTEGRAL TO LIFE IN RURAL MONTANA. THESE SKILLS ARE TAUGHT THROUGH THE DEMONSTRATION AREA AND KIDS TENT WITH HANDS-ON EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING. THIRD, THE FESTIVAL RAISES AWARENESS AND MONEY THAT SUPPORTS OTHER PROGRAMS OF THE RED ANTS PANTS FOUNDATION.
  2. $67,277 spent. RAPF GIRLS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM: THIS YEAR-LONG LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE EMPOWERS JUNIOR-YEAR HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS FROM RURAL MONTANA TO GROW AS CONFIDENT, COMMUNITY-MINDED LEADERS. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN THREE IMMERSIVE WEEKEND RETREATS, THREE INTERACTIVE WEBINARS, A ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP EXPERIENCE AND THEY EACH DEVELOP AND EXECUTE THEIR OWN MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY PROJECT. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO CULTIVATE HOPE IN OUR YOUTH, PRIDE IN OUR RURAL HERITAGE AND STRENGTH AND COURAGE IN THEIR LEADERSHIP JOURNEYS. ADDITIONALLY WE HOST A WEEKEND LONG RETREAT IN EASTERN MONTANA FOR SOPHOMORE-YEAR HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS AS WELL AS AN ALUMNI PROGRAM WITH CONTINUED IN PERSON AND ONLINE PROGRAMMING.
  3. $67,237 spent. SKILLS WORKSHOPS: OFFERING TECHNICAL SKILL BASED WORKSHOPS IN TIMBER SKILLS, CARPENTRY AND TRAILER BACKING.
  4. $52,181 spent. COMMUNITY GRANT CYCLE: SERVING RURAL MONTANA COMMUNITIES WHOSE PROJECTS PARALLEL OUR MISSION.
  5. $52,277 spent. WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY WELL BEING RETREATS: THREE DAY GATHERINGS OF WOMEN TO TEACH RESILIENCE SKILLS AND REFLECTION THROUGH WRITING, CONNECTION AND RESTORATION.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 2014.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.