The Missoula Community School
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE EARLY HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION TO CHILDREN IN THE MISSOULA COMMUNITY AGES 2 TO 6 YEARS.
- Income
- $682,494
- Spending
- $707,442
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 7.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 90%
- Employees
- 36
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $28,290, ex dir former
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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 73 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give 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)
- $643,535 spent. During the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Missoula Community School (MCS) provided a high-quality Early Childhood Program for 67 children ages two through five. Summer Programs were offered as well serving children ages two through five.MCS is licensed through the State of Montana as a child care center (Provider # PV82658). We are in compliance with all child care regulations, including continual professional training hours. This year we have continued in the STARS to Quality program, renewing at a Level 2. During this fiscal year the school employed a full-time executive director, full-time curriculum coordinator, a part-time administrative coordinator, thirteen full-time teachers, two part-time assistants, and substitutes. MCS is a progressive school following best practices in early childhood education. During the fiscal year ending on 6/30/2025, we were able to work with various approved professional development specialists, and the school was able to offer training hours for specific staff meetings and training days. The school continues to utilize volunteers, mostly parents, in-person for various events. Volunteer hours continue to be high through committee work and staff support. We are excited to have more parent volunteers in the classroom. Furthermore, we have expanded learning beyond the school building's walls and into the community, where we utilize experts in various fields to volunteer their time and share knowledge with our learners. The school continues to be a place that families from all economic backgrounds can attend. A scholarship fund is present in our budget. Families apply through a national organization, SSS by NAIS. We also accept Best Beginnings through the state of Montana..
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2002.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.