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Grizzly Athletic Association

EIN 81-0407200 · Missoula, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak32 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MONTANA GRIZZLY SCHOLARSHIP ASSOCIATION'S (MGSA) PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS TO RAISE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA (UM) STUDENT-ATHLETES. THE MGSA ALSO ASSISTS THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT WITH VARIOUS FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES, AND ACTIVELY PROMOTES INTEREST IN AND AWARENESS OF ALL UM SPORTS PROGRAMS. THE MGSA, THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT A SUCCESSFUL ATHLETICS PROGRAM ENHANCES THE UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES AND NON-STUDENT-ATHLETES ALIKE AS WELL AS BUILDING A STRONG ALLIANCE WITH THE COMMUNITY AND ALUMNI. WE BELIEVE IT IS THE RESPONSIBILTY OF THE MGSA TO HELP ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES BY EDUCATING THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE STUDENT-ATHLETES ABOUT THE FISCAL NEEDS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA'S ATHLETIC PROGRAM; BUILDING COMMUNITY SUPPORT; AND PROVIDING THROUGH DEVELOPMENT AND FUNDRAISING PROGRAMS, THE PRIVATE FINANCIAL RESOURCES NECESSARY TO FUND SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER NEEDS.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
0
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$95,335, executive director

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

Weak: 32 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 77% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% 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

Strong: 95 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $3.8 million spent. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA ATHLETIC PROGRAMS. ATHLETIC PROGRAMS CONSIST OF FOOTBALL,MEN'S AND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL,TRACK,AND OTHER ATHLETIC PROGRAMS. MGSA PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 250 STUDENT ATHLETES.

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 September 1984.

    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.