Opera Montana
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OPERA MONTANA INSPIRES AND CREATES COMMUNITY THROUGH WORLD CLASS OPERA, MUSICAL THEATER, AND EDUCATIONAL ENGAGEMENT.
- Income
- $1.7 million
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- 9.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 81%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 225
- Highest pay
- $78,540, executive dir.
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 80% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 42% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 126% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1568% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $685,959 spent. Opera Montana inspires and creates community and collaboration through world-class opera, musical theater, and educational engagement. As a mission-driven organization, we view the arts as a means by which we can be of service to our community, which extends to the entire state of Montana. In addition to being the standard-bearers for the art form as the only independently operating professional opera company in the state, we also recognize common needs of communities across Montana, including music education, Veterans services, Indigenous representation in the arts, and accessibility to the performing arts, both from a geographic and economic standpoint. As one of the highest-ranking states for the Veteran share of the adult population, Montana has a need for a diversity of Veterans services, including those that are based in music and art. Through our work with Veterans organizations, we have discovered that many Veterans describe missing the presence of art and music in their lives during and after their service, and that these can be powerful tools for healing and creating lasting relationships. We are now discussing with our local Veteran partners the goal of expanding this aspect of our programming to reach statewide. Testimonials from Veterans Chorus members show that this program has a positive impact on Veterans in our community, and we aim to offer these services more widely, in addition to growing the Chorus in the Gallatin Valley and continuing to work with the American Legion Gallatin Post #14, the Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter #788, and other local partners. Nationally, there is a lack of Indigenous representation in classical music, particularly opera, and Montana is no different. At Opera Montana we recognize that we have a responsibility as an organization to support Indigenous artists through our operations, education, and programming.Wheels of Harmony brings Indigenous opera singers and musicians to schools in rural and Tribal communities across Montana, to share cultural and musical education, stories, and inspiration for Montana students to participate in the arts. We have received feedback from young Native students that it was impactful to see professional opera singers and musicians who are also Native. We are continuing to grow Wheels of Harmony in collaboration with cultural and educational consultants and the new Operations and Education position dedicated to managing the program.We are working to make our local performances accessible to a wider population, both geographically and economically. In 2023, we launched Opera For All, a program that offers a set number of free tickets to each of our mainstage productions, no questions asked. We had several patrons tell us that they would not have been able to attend the performances without this program. We worked with local hotels to offer discounts on nightly stays during the runs of our shows for people traveling long distances. We are continuing these accessibility efforts in future seasons.In reference to Part I Summary - Revenue and Expenses.Because we use accrual based accounting and are currently in the midst of a capital campaign, revenues reflect multi-year pledges towards campaign priorities including the commissioning of a new opera based on Norman Maclean's beloved novella, "A River Runs Through It". Due to this project, expenses are much higher than previous years as well.
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
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 June 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 June 1979.
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.