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Trust Montana Inc

EIN 45-3204921 · Missoula, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
  • Only 30% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TRUST MONTANA'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS AND HOLD LAND IN TRUST TO FACILITATE WORKFORCE HOUSING, FARMLAND AFFORDABILITY, AND THE PRESERVATION OF VITAL COMMUNITY ASSETS THAT KEEP RURAL AND URBAN AREAS LIVABLE FOR MONTANANS OF VARIED ECONOMIC MEANS.

Income
$522,793
Spending
$287,144
Spent on programs
30%
Reserves
-62.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
6
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$69,904, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 45% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 57% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    30% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $55,425 spent. CLT HOMES:TRUST MONTANA'S PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE HOMES PROGRAM PRESERVES RENTAL UNITS AND HOMEOWNERSHIP PROPERTIES IN TRUST TO GUARANTEE AFFORDABILITY FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE FAMILIES. TRUST MONTANA STEWARDS 30 HOMES AND 5 RENTAL PROPERTIES IN EIGHT COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE, HAVING ADDED TWO NEW HOME OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND ONE RENTAL UNITS IN 2025. TRUST MONTANA HOME OWNERS AND RENTERS MUST INCOME-QUALIFY, ENSURING THAT THESE HOMES BENEFIT WORKING CLASS INDIVIDUALS IN COMMUNITIES. THE EXPANSION TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL RENTAL PROPERTY IN 2025 WAS CO-DESIGNED WITH THE COMMUNITY, RESPONDING TO THE NEED FOR DIVERSE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TYPES.AFFORDABLE LAND LLC IS A SINGLE-MEMBER LLC OWNED BY TRUST MONTANA. IT WAS FORMED IN 2019 TO HOLD THE TITLES OF ALL LAND THAT IS ACQUIRED FOR PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE PROJECTS OF TRUST MONTANA. AFFORDABLE LAND COLLECTS LEASE FEES FROM EACH HOUSEHOLD MONTHLY. IT ALSO COLLECTS STEWARDSHIP PAYMENTS AT THE TIME OF HOME CLOSINGS AND THOSE FUNDS ARE PLACED INTO A SAVINGS ACCOUNT TO ENSURE THAT FUTURE MAINTENANCE AND OTHER EXPENSES WILL BE COVERED.
  2. $14,156 spent. CLT FARM: IN 2025, ON THE HEELS OF TRUST MONTANA'S COMMUNITY LAND TRUST FARM UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S AG LAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM, WE CONTINUED OUR WORK WITH THE FARMER AND ENGAGING AG AND CONSERVATIONS EXPERTS TO SERVE ON OUR NEWLY FOUNDED FARM VIABILITY COMMITTEE. WE PURSUED NEW OPPORTUNITIES. WE SPOKE WITH FOUR FARMERS ABOUT POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS. THE PRESERVATION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND AND SOILS IS CRITICAL TO MAINTAINING LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS. PROJECTS LIKE THESE NOT ONLY BENEFIT THE BEGINNING FARMERS OPERATING ON THE LAND UNDER A LAND-LEASE AND USAGE AGREEMENT, BUT ALSO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY WITH INCREASED ACCESS TO LOCALLY, ORGANICALLY-GROWN FOOD.
  3. $16,617 spent. EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY OF CLTS:TRUST MONTANA ALSO LEADS EFFORTS TO EXPAND EDUCATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST MODEL IN THE STATE THROUGH ITS CLT EDUCATION PROGRAM. WITH 22 PRESENTATIONS IN 2025, SERVING 1,350 PEOPLE, THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS REALTORS, TITLE AGENTS, LENDERS, AND POTENTIAL HOMEBUYERS. MANY OF THESE PRESENTATIONS QUALIFY AS CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS IN THESE INDUSTRIES. TRUST MONTANA ALSO SERVES AS AN EXPERT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER FOR OTHER LAND TRUSTS OPERATING IN THE STATE. AT ANY GIVEN TIME, THE ORGANIZATION IS SUPPORTING 3-5 PEER LAND TRUST PROJECTS, AS WELL AS NAVIGATING EXPLORATORY AND PLANNING CONVERSATIONS WITH 7-12 PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY NEW AND EMERGING PROJECTS FOR TRUST MONTANA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2013 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2013.

    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 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 November 2013.

    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.