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Foundation for the Diocese of Helena Inc

EIN 81-0449307 · Helena, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO SERVE AND STRENGTHEN THE PEOPLE, PARISHES, MINISTRIES AND APOSTOLIC MISSION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF HELENA (REFERRED TO AS "THE DIOCESE" IN THIS RETURN).

Income
$19.1 million
Spending
$17.7 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
-1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
3
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$111,273, 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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (religion, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (religion, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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. $16.4 million spent. GRANTS AND DISTRIBUTIONS: DISTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE FOUNDATION OF ITS DONOR-DIRECTED TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT ENDOWMENT FUNDS TOTALED NEARLY $1.45 MILLION. THE FOUNDATION ALSO MADE GRANTS FROM ITS OWN UNRESTRICTED RESOURCES IN THE AMOUNT OF $79,764 TO HELP PROVIDE FUNDING FOR PARISHES OR PROGRAMS LACKING MONEY FOR SPECIFIC MINISTRIES OR PROJECTS AND TO ASSIST PARISHES WITH UNRESTRICTED RESOURCES. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION BOARD DESIGNATED ITS OWN UNRESTRICTED RESOURCES DURING THE FISCAL YEAR AS FOLLOWS: $4,999 TO VARIOUS ENDOWMENT FUNDS WITHIN THE FOUNDATION.THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO MANAGE A FIVE YEAR $30 MILLION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE PARISHES AND DIOCESE OF HELENA.
  2. BUILDING AND MANAGING PERMANENT ENDOWMENTS: THE FOUNDATION SOLICITS AND MANAGES GIFTS TO PERMANENT ENDOWMENTS TO SUPPORT THE PARISHES AND MINISTRIES OF THE DIOCESE OF HELENA. OVER $45 MILLION IN ENDOWED FUNDS ARE PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED BY THE FOUNDATION, INVESTED IN ADHERENCE TO THE PRINCIPALS OF SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTING AS OUTLINED BY THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS. ENDOWMENT BENEFICIARIES RECEIVE QUARTERLY ENDOWMENT STATEMENTS REFLECTING INVESTMENT ACTIVITY AND FUND BALANCES.
  3. CHARITABLE PLANNING EXPERTISE: THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES ANNUAL ESTATE PLANNING AND PLANNED GIVING EDUCATION IN EVERY DEANERY ACROSS THE DIOCESE OF HELENA AND UPON REQUEST FOR AN INDIVIDUAL PARISH/SCHOOL/MINISTRY. CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION IS PROVIDED BY THE FOUNDATION, ALLOWING DONORS WITH EASY ACCESS TO THE MONTANA ENDOWMENT TAX CREDIT. THE FOUNDATION ESTABLISHES NAMED ENDOWMENT FUNDS FOR DONORS, ALLOWING THEM TO PROVIDE A STEADY STREAM OF INCOME THAT THEIR CHOSEN PARISH/SCHOOL/MINISTRY CAN COUNT ON IN PERPETUITY. DONORS ESTABLISHING NAMED ENDOWMENT FUNDS RECEIVE ANNUAL ENDOWMENT STATEMENTS REFLECTING INVESTMENT ACTIVITY, DISTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR DESIGNATED MINISTRY, AND FUND BALANCES.

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? Worth knowing.

    The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.

    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 April 2018.

    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.