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Tri-County Firesafe Working Group

EIN 47-5387650 · Helena, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PRESERVE AND ENHANCE THE AREA'S NATURAL & MANMADE RESOURCES THROUGH A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BY MOBILIZING BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO MAKE HOMES, BUSINESSES, PROPERTIES, NEIGHBORHOODS, COMMUNITIES AND THE LANDSCAPE MORE FIRE SAFE.

Income
$311,429
Spending
$287,216
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 91%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 57% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 June 30, 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. $257,783 spent. TRI-COUNTY FIRESAFE WORKING GROUP'S (TCFSWG) MISSION IS TO ENGAGE PROPERTY OWNERS ON HOW TO CO-EXIST WITH AND SURVIVE WILDFIRE. OUR PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES ARE DESIGNED TO HELP PROPERTY OWNERS REDUCE THEIR FIRE RISKS AND TO LIVE MORE SAFELY IN A WILDFIRE ENVIRONMENT. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUTREACH & EDUCATION, PRIVATE PROPERTY WILDFIRE RISK ASSESSMENTS, AND RISK REDUCTION ACTIVITIES TARGETING HAZARDOUS FUELS REMOVAL AND DEFENSIBLE SPACE IMPROVEMENTS ON PRIVATE LANDS AND STRUCTURES THAT ARE AT RISK TO THE IMPACTS OF WILDFIRE. THE ORGANIZATION CONSISTS OF A BROAD SPECTRUM OF STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE LAND MANAGERS AND WILDFIRE OFFICIALS, COUNTY, AND CITY GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS PRIVATE CITIZENS AND CONTRACTORS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 January 2018.

    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.