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Montana Professional Learning Collaborative

EIN 46-2510133 · Ronan, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the corporation is to provide high quality professional development opportunities and services which support communities of lifelong learners to achieve successful outcomes for children and youth throughout Montana. Areas of focus shall include, but not be limited to: professional development, consultation, contractual services, technical assistance, technology services, purchasing services, and all other areas authorized by law.

Income
$882,252
Spending
$828,737
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
17
Highest pay
$112,477, executive dir.

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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. $711,523 spent. The Montana Professional Learning Collaborative (MTPLC) provides statewide professional development services to educators through in-person, online, and blended learning formats. MTPLC serves over 1,000 schools across Montanas 490 public school districts, with a focus on improving educator effectiveness and student outcomes. MTPLC delivers a range of programs designed to support whole-child education, integrating academic, social, emotional, and behavioral learning strategies. A primary program offering is the annual August Institute, a multi-day professional development event that emphasizes holistic teaching practices, including trauma-informed care, social-emotional learning, and instructional innovation. In 2025, participation in the August Institute increased from approximately 250 educators in 2024, reflecting continued demand for high-quality professional learning opportunities. Throughout 2025, MTPLC expanded its catalog of online courses and regional workshops to meet the evolving needs of Montana educators, including those in rural and geographically isolated communities. These programs are designed to increase access to relevant, research-based instructional practices and improve educator capacity statewide. MTPLC also administers and manages federal grant funding in partnership with the Montana Small School Alliance (MSSA). In 2025, MTPLC oversaw approximately $2,000,000 in federal funds aimed at increasing equity in student services for rural, tribal, and frontier school districts. This initiative serves more than 300 small and tribal districts by providing access to mental health services, school counseling, trauma-informed practices, violence prevention resources, and basic needs support for students and families. In fall 2024, MTPLC hired a full-time Executive Director to support organizational growth and program expansion. In 2025, this leadership structure enhanced MTPLCs capacity to manage grant programs, strengthen partnerships, and deliver high-quality services aligned with its mission.

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 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 2025.

    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 August 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.