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Columbia Falls Community Market

EIN 47-3336769 · Coram, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceWeak39 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported an excess benefit transaction with an insider.

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

What it says it does

COLUMBIA FALLS COMMUNITY MARKET OFFERS FRIENDS, FAMILIES, NEIGHBORS AND VISITORS THE CHANCE TO MORE CONVENIENTLY LIVE A FARM-TO-TABLE LIFESTYLE WHILE ENJOYING EACH OTHERS COMPANY, LIVE MUSIC, FRESH FOOD, DESSERTS, ARTISAN GIFTS AND LOCALLY-BREWED BEER.

Income
$319,612
Spending
$148,422
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
14.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 63%
Employees
4
Volunteers
34
Highest pay
$32,200, executive di

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 54% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 144% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% 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

Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 7% 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

    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

    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 (1)
  1. $83,081 spent. THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO MORE CONVENIENTLY LIVE A FARM-TO- TABLE LIFESTYLE IS BEYOND EXCITING THE MARKET SPACE PROVIDES AMPLE PARKING FOR VENDORS AND ATTENDEES, A SAFELY-ENCLOSED BUT OPEN-AIR SELLING SPACE, A CENTRAL MUSIC STAGE AND DANCE FLOOR, FOOD COURT, EXCELLENT CURB APPEAL AND PLENTY OF VISIBILITY. 20 COMMUNITY MARKETS HELD FROM MAY 15TH THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 WHICH 31,831 PEOPLE ATTENDED 192 FLATHEAD VALLEY BUSINESSES REPRESENTED 775,455.40 IN COLLECTIVE VENDOR EARNINGS OVER 20 WEEKS (FROM 114 VENDORS WHO SOLD 50% LOCALLY MADE OR EMBELLISHED PRODUCTS) A RE-LAUNCHED RECYCLING PROGRAM THAT RECYCLED 4,780 POUNDS OF ALUMINUM AND COUNTING A RE-LAUNCHING OF THE FOOD ACCESS PROGRAM THAT REDEEMED 1,067 TO HELP LOCAL RESIDENTS PURCHASE HEALTHY, LOCALLY GROWN AND RAISED FOOD 20 LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES FEATURING LOCAL MUSICIANS COLUMBIA FALLS HIGH SCHOOL ART STUDENTS' WORK DISPLAYED ON 200 PROMOTIONAL POSTERS THROUGHOUT THE FLATHEAD VALLEY THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO MORE CONVENIENTLY LIVE A FARM-TO- TABLE LIFESTYLE IS BEYOND EXCITING THE MARKET SPACE PROVIDES AMPLE PARKING FOR VENDORS AND ATTENDEES, A SAFELY-ENCLOSED BUT OPEN-AIR SELLING SPACE, A CENTRAL MUSIC STAGE AND DANCE FLOOR, FOOD COURT, EXCELLENT CURB APPEAL AND PLENTY OF VISIBILITY. 20 COMMUNITY MARKETS HELD FROM MAY 15TH THROUGH SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 WHICH 31,831 PEOPLE ATTENDED 192 FLATHEAD VALLEY BUSINESSES REPRESENTED 775,455.40 IN COLLECTIVE VENDOR EARNINGS OVER 20 WEEKS (FROM 114 VENDORS WHO SOLD 50% LOCALLY MADE OR EMBELLISHED PRODUCTS) A RE-LAUNCHED RECYCLING PROGRAM THAT RECYCLED 4,780 POUNDS OF ALUMINUM AND COUNTING A RE-LAUNCHING OF THE FOOD ACCESS PROGRAM THAT REDEEMED 1,067 TO HELP LOCAL RESIDENTS PURCHASE HEALTHY, LOCALLY GROWN AND RAISED FOOD 20 LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES FEATURING LOCAL MUSICIANS COLUMBIA FALLS HIGH SCHOOL ART STUDENTS' WORK DISPLAYED ON 200 PROMOTIONAL POSTERS THROUGHOUT THE FLATHEAD VALLEY

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 March 2015.

    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.