1776 Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Based in Billings, Montana the 1776 Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, seeks to improve government and politics by working to inform and equip the people of Montana to better evaluate policy options that uphold traditional American values, historic civil liberties, the Montana Constitution and the Constitution of the United States of America.
- Income
- $144,508
- Spending
- $156,942
- Reserves
- 4.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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)
- $97,408 spent. 1776 Foundation promotes 7 Programs to accomplish its mission. These include:1) Gadsden Flag license plate which Montanans can purchase when they register a Montana vehicle. Remains to be one of the best selling plates being an iconic symbol supporting liberty and the rugged independent American spirit. 2) Free Constitution Project provides free copies of the Montana Constitution to educators, parents, elected officials and the public. Unfortunately, most public schools do not offer such coursework and so we seek to fill this void to equip our citizens. We have distributed over 60,000 free copies. 3) Liberty Lessons a series of radio messages designed to give you a deeper understanding of the meaning and history of Montana and U.S. Constitutions. Delivered by exciting Montana political, business and community leaders. 4) Grant program supports like-minded Montana based organizations and has distributed over $100,000 in funding. 5) Bill of Rights hard card, the size of a business card, spells out the first 10 Amendments so you can take your rights with you everywhere you go! We have proudly shipped over 6,000 cards to 70 different Montana cities and 33 states.6) Liberty Invitation held its inaugural event in 2022 to bring together elected officials, political candidates along with business and community leaders to foster conversations about civic engagement. We were honored to have Senator Daines, Governor Gianforte, Attorney General Knudsen and many others join us for this great event.7) Montana Pulse is a new project that will conduct a series of public opinion polls several times per year. The results of each poll are made available for free to the media and the general public, so that all Montanans can keep a pulse on important issues and the elected officials leading our state.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.