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Lewis & Clark Foundation

EIN 81-0471734 · Great Falls, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CHAMPION THE EFFORTS OF THE LEWIS AND CLARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER WHICH EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE SAGA OF THE CORPS OF DISCOVERY, THE PEOPLE THEY ENCOUNTERED AND THE WILD LANDS THEY EXPLORED.

Income
$292,273
Spending
$212,537
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
28.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
16
Volunteers
42
Highest pay
$61,500, executive director-retired

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 28.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    59% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 September 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. $47,376 spent. THE LEWIS & CLARK FOUNDATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE LEWIS AND CLARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER LOCATED IN GREAT FALLS, MT TO UPHOLD ITS ENDEAVOR TO REMAIN THE PREMIER SOURCE OF LIFELONG LEARNING AND SHARED APPRECIATION FOR THE CULTURES, AND WILD LANDS OF THE LEWIS & CLARK EXPEDITION.
  2. $71,420 spent. THE LEWIS & CLARK FOUNDATION OPERATES THE PORTAGE CACHE STORE AT THE LEWIS AND CLARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER. THE PORTAGE CACHE STORE SELLS BOOKS AND ART COVERING THE LEWIS & CLARK EXPEDITION AS WELL AS RELATED NATIVE AMERICAN EVENTS/HISTORICAL LORE AND ALSO SELLS PERIOD ITEMS. ITEMS SOLD IN THE STORE ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE VISITORS TO THE LEWIS AND CLARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER WITH AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EXPANDING UPON THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE PROVIDED AT THE LEWIS AND CLARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER. ANY PROFITS FROM THE STORE ARE USED TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE LEWIS & CLARK FOUNDATION.
  3. $7,478 spent. THE LEWIS & CLARK FOUNDATION SPONSORS LCIC PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADMISSION FOR RURAL SCHOOLS. $1,609 WAS DISBURSED SPECIFICALLY FOR SCHOOL ADMISSIONS; FUNDING, MATERIALS, AND STAFF TIME WAS ALSO PROVIDED TO SUPPORT LCIC PROGRAMS AND ENCOURAGE CHILDREN AND PARENTS TO VISIT THE CENTER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1992.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.