Missoula Cultural Council
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CONNECTING ART, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND CELEBRATION.
- Income
- $377,107
- Spending
- $280,854
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 7.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 49%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 125
- Highest pay
- $82,630, 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
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 24% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 76 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 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)
- $201,713 spent. THE MAIN ACTIVITIES OF THE MISSOULA CULTURAL COUNCIL, DBA ARTS MISSOULA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR WERE:1. Community Arts Programs & EventsArts Missoula produced multiple large-scale community events that celebrate Missoula and provided free and low-cost arts experiences for residents and visitors.Missoula on Main (New Years Eve Festival):Our annual two-day celebration featured dozens of performances, workshops, and activities across multiple venues. The festival showcased local musicians, dancers, theatre artists, teen performers, and multicultural groups, drawing thousands of participants and strengthening community connection.Germanfest:Arts Missoula hosted its annual Sister City festival honoring Missoulas relationship with Neckargemnd, Germany. With traditional music, vendors, cultural demonstrations, and family-friendly games, Germanfest drew more than 1,500 attendees in Caras Park.First Friday & Downtown Support:We strengthened downtown vibrancy by promoting First Friday exhibitions through radio, community calendars, monthly newsletter highlighting events and extensive social media support.2. Education, Youth Programs & Neighborhood OutreachArts Missoula delivered arts learning opportunities for young people and families throughout Missoula, with emphasis on neighborhoods lacking access to arts programming.Cultural Feast (Summer Outreach Program):In partnership with the Missoula Food Bank, we brought arts programmingdance, clay arts, cultural education, and hands-on creativitydirectly into underserved neighborhoods such as Futura Mobile Home Park in West Missoula. This work provided access for children who live far from arts opportunities, bus routes, or grocery services. Instructors included professional artists, and the program created meaningful connections.Youth Showcases:We produced Spotlight Teen Singing Competition during Missoula on Main, providing young performers with coaching, adjudication, and performance opportunities led by professional musicians and arts educators.3. Advocacy, Cultural Leadership & PlanningAs Missoulas local arts agency, Arts Missoula plays a leadership role in cultural policy, civic collaboration, and local-to-national arts advocacy.Cultural Planning:In FY24, Arts Missoula advanced the development of Missoulas first cultural plan in 35 years, in partnership with the City of Missoula Parks & Recreation Department. The plan will guide long-term arts goals, infrastructure needs, creative workforce support, and community engagement.Arts Advocacy:As the Montana District Captain for Americans for the Arts, Arts Missoula participated in national advocacy efforts and engaged state and local partners to promote the vital role of the arts in economic development, education, and community well-being.Economic Impact & Research:Though not a survey year, Arts Missoula continues to report out on the impact of the arts on Missoulas local economy and celebrates the data that shows us artists are small businesses and the backbone of our community. 4. Digital Access, Directories & CommunicationsArts Missoula invested deeply in tools that make the arts more discoverable, accessible, and inclusive.Arts Missoula Directory App:We advanced the development of our community-friendly arts directory app, which maps artists, arts organizations, venues, and public art throughout Missoula. This platform expands access for residents, visitors, and partners by offering a centralized, searchable resource.5. Fiscal Sponsorship & Sector SupportArts Missoula provided administrative, financial, and strategic support to several emerging and established arts organizations through our fiscal sponsorship program. FY24 sponsored projects included:Grow Music MissoulaMissoula All-City JazzWheels on the Bus Mobile Ceramics StudioIndigenous Made MissoulaNo Joke TheatreSculpture Missoula Fiscal sponsorship enables these projects to operate with nonprofit benefits while focusing on their artistic missions. Arts Missoula also offered sector support through promotion, professional development, public art guidance, community partnerships, and ongoing communication through newsletters, media relationships, and collaborative marketing.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1992.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.