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Helena Education Foundation

EIN 81-0544494 · Helena, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the Helena Education Foundation HEF is to enrich education in the Helena Public Schools through consistent community investment of time talent funding and resources. Activities include educator and student recognition grants for pilot and enrichment programs and community outreach programs.

Income
$482,054
Spending
$417,475
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
13.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
1
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$85,598, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    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 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. $58,140 spent. Adult educator public education and enrichment- events in this program area include Great Conversations Carnival Classic and Celebration of Excellence. These programs offer a range of experiences including innovative discussion of current topics and celebration of the beginning and end of year achievements of students and educators as well as family entertainment and showcasing student talent. They involve all students 8,000 and educators 600 in the school district and over 1,000 members of the public.
  2. $138,889 spent. Education instructor pilot and enrichment programs in classrooms -events include Great Ideas Grants and Spark Grants - the premier program achievement of the Helena Education Foundation. These dollars target Helena Educators who propose education programs for students in Pre-K-12 Helena School District. Competitively based educators submit a program description and budget. If successful the educator is awarded a one-year grant based on the standards established by the HEF board. Generally 30-40 educators receive awards annually ranging from a low of 100 to a high of 5,000 for an annual budget that totals 65,000. These programs impact between 3000-5000 students. The STEAM-Rolling into Helena Schools special project provided LEGO STEAM kits to classrooms K-8 for hands-on experience with construction & deconstruction simple machines motors & aviation engineering & design and coding & robotics. This project also provided training for staff to help them implement the LEGO STEAM kits into their classrooms.-
  3. $147,235 spent. All other program activities including Fabulous Firsts a book for every 1st grader Pen and Ink Magazine Harrison Writing Awards Up to 4 student competitive writing cash award Going to the Sun Art Award up to 4 student competitive art cash award BisonFest Issues Institutes Trading Places General Fundraising Investment and Education and Outreach activities.

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 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 June 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 July 2002.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Helios Education Foundation (Phoenix, AZ), EIN 94-2850977. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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