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The Traveling School

EIN 81-0544729 · Bozeman, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Traveling School amplifies student voices through transformative education to ignite positive change.

Income
$549,921
Spending
$622,829
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 74%
Employees
16
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$95,309, former exec dir

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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 31 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

    11 of 11 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 (1)
  1. $449,096 spent. THE TRAVELING SCHOOL BELIEVES INFORMED, INSPIRED, AND CONFIDENT STUDENTS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD. OUR FOUR PILLARS EMPHASIZE PLACE-BASED AND RELEVANT ACADEMICS, CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT, OUTDOOR EXPEDITIONS, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. IN THE FALL, 11 STUDENTS TRAVELED THROUGH SOUTHERN AFRICA AND ENGAGED WITH OUR CUSTOM-DESIGNED RIGOROUS REGIONAL ACADEMICS FOCUSED ON THE IMPACT OF APARTHEID ON MODERN SOUTH AFRICA, WILDLIFE BIOLOGY, THE IMPLICATIONS OF RESOURCE EXTRACTION, AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES OF THE REGION. STUDENTS RETURNED HOME READY TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THEIR COMMUNITIES ACROSS 6 STATES, CANADA, AND UGANDA. THANKS TO THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR DONORS, 55% OF OUR STUDENTS RECEIVED NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING $79,500. OUR LONGSTANDING GOAL IS TO MAKE THIS TRANSFORMATIVE SEMESTER A REALITY FOR ANY GLOBALLY MINDED AND ADVENTUROUS STUDENT WHO ASPIRES TO ATTEND.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2011 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2011.

    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? Passed.

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

    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 February 2014.

    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.