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Montgomery Institute

EIN 64-0932080 · Meridian, MS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CORPORATION IS A NONPROFIT CORPORATION ORGANIZED FOR THE FOLLOWING EXCLUSIVELY CHARITABLE, AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 501C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, OR THE CORRESPONDING PROVISION OF ANY FUTURE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE LAW (REFERRED TO IN THESE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AS THE "CODE"): TO EDUCATE, TRAIN, AND INFORM CITIZEN LEADERS WHO WILL THEN BE ABLE TO INSTIGATE, NURTURE, PROMOTE, COORDINATE, AND ASSIST IN THE FORMATION, DIRECTION, AND EXECUTION OF UNDERTAKINGS LEADING TO THE UPBUILDING OF COMMUNITIES IN THE EASTERN PORTION OF MISSISSIPPI AND WESTERN PORTION OF ALABAMA, WITH EMPHASIS ON ACTIVITIES THAT REVITALIZE OR STABILIZE LOW- OR MODERATE-INCOME GEOGRAPHIES AND DISTRESSED OR UNDERSERVED NONMETROPOLITAN MIDDLE-INCOME GEOGRAPHIES DESIGNATED BY THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM, FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, AND OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS PURPOSE, T

Income
$468,188
Spending
$245,080
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
50.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 52%
Employees
3
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 50.4 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 48% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 August 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. $200,301 spent. A) Strategic thinking and analysis services to area community organizations for pursuit of innovative programs and resources for improved overall healthcare; B) coordinated research and planning sessions among health care providers and community leaders to operate the Community Health Improvement Network, a HRSA designated rural health network. C) Information Dissemination: the Community Health Improvement Network, created brochures disseminating public health information dispelling myths about the COVID-19 vaccine to spread vaccine confidence in Lauderdale, Neshoba, & Kemper counties. The Montgomery Institute continued as the sponsor of the Kemper, Neshoba, and Noxubee Counties tobacco-free coalition program that disseminates anti-tobacco information to students in three counties of East Mississippi. TMI maintains its www.tmi.ms website to provide information to citizens and community leaders in the bi-state region. D) Resource Gathering: During this fiscal year, The Montgomery Institute received grants and contributions supporting initiatives that addressed leadership and workforce development, strategic thinking and analysis, and information dissemination: 1) private foundation and business and individual gifts supporting the Meridian Freedom Project; and 2) public funds supporting the Kemper, Neshoba, and Noxubee Counties tobacco-free coalition program. TMI also maintained its endowment. TMI received contributions from individuals and businesses to be used as matching funds for grants and to support operations. 3) The Community Health Improvement Network used data gathered from Community Needs Assessments from local hospitals to support community health education through Lunch & Learn events for the underserved and underprivileged population. E) Activities that revitalize or stabilize low- or moderate-income people or geographies in the region: Through the Meridian Freedom Project TMI provided services to low-to-moderate income students from public and private schools in Lauderdale county; TMI also provided support services for the Community Health Improvement Network, a charitable organization created to improve health care outcomes for the low-income, underserved population in Lauderdale County.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 August 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 May 2001.

    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.

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