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Black Hills Childrens Ranch Inc

EIN 46-0358693 · Rapid City, SD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak20 out of 100GovernanceGood80 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.
  • It owes more than it owns.

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

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL COUNSELING AND EDUCATION TO CONSUMERS THROUGH A BROAD RANGE OF FINANCIAL LIFE SKILLS, BUDGETING, RETIREMENT, HOUSING, STUDENT LOANS AND CREDIT, PRE-BANKRUPTCY COUNSELING, POST-BANKRUPTCY EDUCATION OR DEBT ISSUES THROUGH ONLINE DIGITAL COMMUNICATION (EX. ZOOM) FACE TO FACE COUNSELING SESSIONS, TELEPHONE SESSIONS, WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CURRICULUM OF THE SIMPLIFIED GUIDE TO FINANCIAL LIFE SKILLS AND A NEW DAY ON-LINE EDUCATION. THROUGH OUR COUNSELING AND EDUCATION, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES HAVE GAINED THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO MANAGE THEIR FINANCIAL LIFE SKILLS.

Income
$657,716
Spending
$907,821
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
-0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
8
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$70,278, secr/treas/a

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

Weak: 20 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 105% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 38% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    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, 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 (1)
  1. $755,807 spent. BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S RANCH, INC D/B/A PIONEER CREDIT COUNSELING OFFERS SEVERAL OPTIONS TO CONSUMERS SEEKING HELP IN FINANCIAL EDUCATION, BUDGETING AND DEBT MANAGEMENT. A CONSUMER WILL INITIALLY VISIT WITH ONE OF OUR CERTIFIED CREDIT COUNSELORS (CERTIFIED THROUGH THE GUIDELINES OF THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR CREDIT COUNSELING (NFCC) AND THE FINANCIAL COUNSELING ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (FCAA)) TO DISCUSS THE GOALS OF THE CONSUMER. IF THEY ARE PRIMARILY SEEKING ASSISTANCE IN ESTABLISHING A MONTHLY BUDGET OR REVIEWING THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION, THIS WILL BE DONE AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER AND CAN BE COMPLETED WITHIN AN HOUR OR TWO WHETHER FACE TO FACE OR BY PHONE DEPENDING ON THE CONSUMERS FINANCIAL SITUATION. WE ALSO PROVIDE CONSUMERS ON A DAILY BASIS WITH HOUSING COUNSELING (AT NO COST), REVERSE MORTGAGE (HECM) COUNSELING, STUDENT LOAN COUNSELING, PREBANKRUPTCY COUNSELING AND POST-BANKRUPTCY EDUCATION. THERE ARE SOME INSTANCES IN WHICH AFTER THEIR INITIAL CONSULTATION, THE CONSUMER DETERMINES THAT THEY WOULD LIKE OR NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE IN REDUCING PAYMENTS TO UNSECURED CREDITORS OR DUE TO THEIR BUDGET NOT BEING WITHIN THEIR MEANS. IN SUCH SITUATIONS A CERTIFIED CREDIT COUNSELOR MAY RECOMMEND ENROLLMENT IN OUR DEBT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AS A MEANS OF ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE AND ONGOING COUNSELING. WE PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF INFORMATION THROUGH OUR STATE OF THE ART WEB-SITE 24/7, WHICH HAS ACCOUNT INFORMATION FOR THOSE THAT HAVE ENROLLED ON OUR DEBT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN ADDITION TO BEING AVAILABLE BY PHONE MONDAY-FRIDAY, 7:00 A.M. TO 7:00 PM AND SATURDAYS BY APPOINTMENT. BHCR D/B/A PIONEER CREDIT COUNSELING IS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR CREDIT COUNSELING AND ALSO A REGISTERED AGENCY THROUGH BUREAU VERITAS CERTIFICATION AND OPERATES A QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ORGANIATION 9001-2015 AND THE FCAA CODE OF PRACTICE, AS WELL AS A PARTICIPANT OF THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU CARE PROGRAM. BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S RANCH, INC. D/B/A PIONEER CREDIT COUNSELING HAS HAD OVER 8,500 COUNSELING SESSIONS IN THE YEAR OF 2024 ALONE WITH AN ESTIMATED 700 OF THOSE CONSUMERS DETERMINING THEIR NEEDS TO ENROLL IN OUR DEBT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. MANY OF OUR COUNSELING AND EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS ARE PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE TO THE PUBLIC. BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S RANCH, INC. D/B/A PIONEER CREDIT COUNSELING PROVIDES ANYONE THAT IS IN NEED OF OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. OUR LATEST EDUCATION PROGRAM, A NEW DAY, IS AVAILABLE 24 /7 AND IN 2024 THERE WERE OVER 6,000 CONSUMERS WHICH COMPLETED OUR COURSE. IN THE YEAR 2024, THE NUMBER OF ENROLLEES FOR THE SIMPLIFIED GUIDE TO FINANCIAL LIFE SKILLS WERE OVER 8,500. THIS WORKBOOK COVERS BASIC MONEY MANAGEMENT AND FINANCIAL LIFE SKILLS. CHAPTERS AS FOLLOWS: PRETEST (THIS HELPS MEASURE THE FINANCIAL LITERACY OF EACH INDIVIDUAL) CHAPTER 1 IDENTIFYING DEBT WARNING SIGNS CHAPTER 2 - SETTING UP A FAMILY BUDGET CHAPTER 3 TIPS FOR MAKING A BUDGET CHAPTER 4 SHOPPING GUIDE, BUDGET HELP CHAPTER 5 MONEY MANAGEMENT HELP CHAPTER 6 CONQUERING YOUR FINANCIAL STRESS CHAPTER 7 TIPS FOR DEALING WITH YOUR CREDITORS & PLANNING, PREPARING AND MANAGING YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE FINAL TEST (SUBMITTED TO PIONEER CREDIT COUNSELING FOR GRADING AND RECORDING THE MEASUREMENT OF THEIR SUCCESS.) GLOSSARY / APPENDIX (THIS INCLUDES TERMS WHICH APPEAR ON CREDITOR STATEMENTS AND CREDIT REPORT TO ENHANCE THE CONSUMERS FINANCIAL LITERACY.) OF THOSE COMPLETING THE COURSE WITH A PASSING GRADE ON THE FINAL TEST, GRADUATED AND RECEIVED A GRADUATION CERTIFICATE. BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S RANCH, INC D/B/A PIONEER CREDIT COUNSELING OFFERS SEVERAL OPTIONS TO CONSUMERS SEEKING HELP IN FINANCIAL EDUCATION, BUDGETING AND DEBT MANAGEMENT. A CONSUMER WILL INITIALLY VISIT WITH ONE OF OUR CERTIFIED CREDIT COUNSELORS (CERTIFIED THROUGH THE GUIDELINES OF THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR CREDIT COUNSELING (NFCC) AND THE FINANCIAL COUNSELING ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA (FCAA)) TO DISCUSS THE GOALS OF THE CONSUMER. IF THEY ARE PRIMARILY SEEKING ASSISTANCE IN ESTABLISHING A MONTHLY BUDGET OR REVIEWING THEIR FINANCIAL SITUATION, THIS WILL BE DONE AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER AND CAN BE COMPLETED WITHIN AN HOUR OR TWO WHETHER FACE TO FACE OR BY PHONE DEPENDING ON THE CONSUMERS FINANCIAL SITUATION. WE ALSO PROVIDE CONSUMERS ON A DAILY BASIS WITH HOUSING COUNSELING (AT NO COST), REVERSE MORTGAGE (HECM) COUNSELING, STUDENT LOAN COUNSELING, PREBANKRUPTCY COUNSELING AND POST-BANKRUPTCY EDUCATION. THERE ARE SOME INSTANCES IN WHICH AFTER THEIR INITIAL CONSULTATION, THE CONSUMER DETERMINES THAT THEY WOULD LIKE OR NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE IN REDUCING PAYMENTS TO UNSECURED CREDITORS OR DUE TO THEIR BUDGET NOT BEING WITHIN THEIR MEANS. IN SUCH SITUATIONS A CERTIFIED CREDIT COUNSELOR MAY RECOMMEND ENROLLMENT IN OUR DEBT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AS A MEANS OF ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE AND ONGOING COUNSELING. WE PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF INFORMATION THROUGH OUR STATE OF THE ART WEB-SITE 24/7, WHICH HAS ACCOUNT INFORMATION FOR THOSE THAT HAVE ENROLLED ON OUR DEBT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN ADDITION TO BEING AVAILABLE BY PHONE MONDAY-FRIDAY, 7:00 A.M. TO 7:00 PM AND SATURDAYS BY APPOINTMENT. BHCR D/B/A PIONEER CREDIT COUNSELING IS A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR CREDIT COUNSELING AND ALSO A REGISTERED AGENCY THROUGH BUREAU VERITAS CERTIFICATION AND OPERATES A QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ORGANIATION 9001-2015 AND THE FCAA CODE OF PRACTICE, AS WELL AS A PARTICIPANT OF THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU CARE PROGRAM. BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S RANCH, INC. D/B/A PIONEER CREDIT COUNSELING HAS HAD OVER 8,500 COUNSELING SESSIONS IN THE YEAR OF 2024 ALONE WITH AN ESTIMATED 700 OF THOSE CONSUMERS DETERMINING THEIR NEEDS TO ENROLL IN OUR DEBT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. MANY OF OUR COUNSELING AND EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS ARE PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE TO THE PUBLIC. BLACK HILLS CHILDREN'S RANCH, INC. D/B/A PIONEER CREDIT COUNSELING PROVIDES AN

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 1982.

    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.