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On Higher Ground

EIN 45-3092782 · Pryor, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceFair54 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ON HIGHER GROUND (OHG) WAS FORMED TO PROVIDE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED AND CONCERNED ABOUT OUR MANAGING OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. OHG ALSO WORKS TO BUILD CAPACITY IN NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP DIVERSE AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS.

Income
$276,303
Spending
$309,396
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 100%
Employees
12
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$54,000, 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 75% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% 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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    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

    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

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 (3)
  1. $118,249 spent. HIGH TUNNEL GREENHOUSES: OHG BUILDS HIGH TUNNEL GREENHOUSES DESIGNED TO EXTEND THE NORTHERN TIER GROWING SEASON TO ALLOW NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN FOOD SOVEREIGNTY PROJECTS. THESE GREENHOUSES ARE IDEAL FOR PLANTING PRODUCE AND PERMACULTURE PLANTS, WHILE ALSO PROVIDING STUDENTS THE EXPERIENCE NEEDED TO CONSTRUCT AND MAINTAIN THESE FACILITIES. THESE GREENHOUSES ARE MANAGED AND OPERATED BY COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS WHO ASSIST IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STUDENT FARMER MARKETS AND PROVIDE A CLASSROOM AREA FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT SOIL AMENDMENTS, FERTILIZATION, DRIP IRRIGATION, HARVESTING AND FOOD PROCESSING. IN 2024, ADDITIONAL TUNNEL GREENHOUSE PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED AND COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WERE ALSO CONDUCTED.
  2. $105,110 spent. OPEN-AIR CLASSROOMS: TO COMPLETE AND CONNECT THE HIGH TUNNEL GREENHOUSE GARDENING TO OTHER LEARNING PROJECTS, OPEN-AIR SPACES ARE CONSTRUCTED, COVERED ONLY BY A ROOF. THESE OPEN-AIR CLASSROOMS SERVE TO FACILITATE ON-THE-JOB TRAINING FOR STUDENTS, SPECIFICALLY FOR JOBS IN NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND AGRICULTURE THROUGHOUT THE REGION. LESSONS AND RELATED MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED BY OHG TO VOLUNTEERS AND STUDENTS. IN ADDITION, THESE SPACES ARE IDEAL SETTINGS FOR YOUTH CAMP LOCATIONS SERVING OTHER NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS, INNER-CITY STUDENTS FROM LARGER URBAN CITIES, AND STUDENTS FROM RURAL COMMUNITIES, COMING TOGETHER TO EXPERIENCE CULTURAL EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES AND IMMERSION IN NATIVE CULTURE AND OUR UNIQUE WAYS OF LIVING IN BALANCE WITH MOTHER EARTH.
  3. $39,416 spent. EXTERNAL EVALUATION: EXTERNAL EVALUATORS CONTINUE TO BE ENGAGED TO HELP GUIDE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE RELEVANT CURRICULUM FOR ALL AGES OF STUDENTS, PRODUCERS, WANT-TO-BE GARDNERS, LAND MANAGERS, AND OTHER CONSERVATION WORKERS. ASSESSMENTS OF PROGRESS ARE CONDUCTED AS WE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP SOLUTIONS TO THE BARRIERS CONFRONTED BY NATIVE AMERICANS AND OTHER BIPOC COMMUNITIES SEEKING ACCESS TO USDA PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES.

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 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 December 2024.

    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 April 2020.

    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.