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Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch

EIN 81-0262019 · Billings, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CARING PEOPLE, PREPARING YOUTH FOR LIFE.

Income
$77.3 million
Spending
$44.4 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
738
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$308,037, ceo

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 168% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (3)
  1. $17.9 million spent. RESIDENTIAL SERVICES:YELLOWSTONE BOYS AND GIRLS RANCH, INC. (YBGR) PROVIDES QUALITY EDUCATION AND TREATMENT SERVICES, WHICH PROMOTE THE EMOTIONAL, BEHAVIORAL, SPIRITUAL, AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. YBGR HAS BEEN SERVING YOUTH AND FAMILIES SINCE 1957 AND IS AN ACCREDITED, PRIVATE, NOT-FOR-PROFIT MULTI-SERVICE ORGANIZATION PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES. YBGR IS A NON-PROFIT, FULLY ACCREDITED, COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE ORGANIZATION PROVIDING PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FOR EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED YOUTH. YBGR YOUTH MAY ACCESS A VARIETY OF SERVICES INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL, FAMILY, RECREATION, AND EQUINE THERAPIES. SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMING IS OFFERED THROUGH OUR ON-CAMPUS EDUCATIONAL FACILITY, YELLOWSTONE ACADEMY. YOUTH ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDING CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY, TRANSITIONAL SERVICES, COMPETITIVE ATHLETICS, OUTDOOR RECREATION, AND SPIRITUAL CARE.THE PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER IS LOCATED ON A 400-ACRE CAMPUS, WEST OF BILLINGS, MT AND SERVES BOYS AGE 8-18, AND GIRLS 12-18. YOUTH ARE HOUSED IN ONE OF OUR TWELVE RESIDENTIAL LODGES AND ARE SUPERVISED BY A 24 HOUR A DAY RESIDENTIAL STAFF TRAINED IN THERAPEUTIC CRISIS INTERVENTION.
  2. $13.9 million spent. COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES: YBGR OFFERS MULTIPLE COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES (CBS). CBS IS A LICENSED AND ACCREDITED MENTAL HEALTH CENTER PROVIDING MULTIPLE SERVICES THAT EXPAND YBGR'S CONTINUUM OF CARE INTO COMMUNITIES. THE CBS PROGRAMS FOCUS ON PREVENTION AND WORK WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND TREATMENT. CBS SERVES OVER 600 CHILDREN EACH DAY IN PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE THERAPEUTIC FOSTER CARE, YOUTH CASE MANAGEMENT, COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY TREATMENT, THERAPEUTIC FAMILY LIVING, AND COMMUNITY HOMES. THE CBS TEAM MEMBERS WORK CLOSELY WITH AT-RISK YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN A SUPPORTIVE AND STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT.
  3. $4.0 million spent. DONATION OF PROPERTY TO YELLOWSTONE BOYS AND GIRLS RANCH FOUNDATION

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 December 1957.

    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.