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Grizzly Discovery Center a Not- For-Profit Corporation

EIN 81-0527102 · W Yellowstone, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak46 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 113 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THROUGH LIVE ANIMAL EXHIBITS, MUSEUM DISPLAYS, STAFF PRESENTATIONS AND PROGRAMMING, THE CENTER ACHIEVES ITS MISSION OF PROVIDING VISITORS AN OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW, LEARN ABOUT AND ULTIMATELY APPRECIATE THE GRIZZLY BEARS AND GRAY WOLVES.

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$4.2 million
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
-11.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 62%
Employees
48
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$189,713, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 113 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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 December 31, 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 (2)
  1. $1.5 million spent. THE CENTER IS HOME TO FOUR MAGNIFICENT SPECIES: GRIZZLY BEARS, GREY WOLVES, BIRDS OF PREY AND RIVER OTTERS. NOT ONLY CAN YOU WATCH THESE FASCINATING ANIMALS INTERACT IN THEIR OUTDOOR HABITAT, BUT YOU CAN ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR HISTORY, CONTROVERSY, SOCIAL STRUCTURE, AND ANTICS. THE CENTER HAD 205,929 VISITORS IN 2025.
  2. $978,253 spent. THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF THE CENTER OFFERS A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT LEARNING EXPERIENCES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR VISITORS, STUDENTS, SCHOOLS, TEACHERS, AND GROUP TOURS. WE HAVE A RANGE OF WAYS TO HELP YOU CONNECT TO A SPECTACULAR SPECIES AND ECOSYSTEM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 August 2000.

    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.