Montana Playwrights Network
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Incorporated in 2016 as a state-wide, 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, the Montana Playwrights Network's purpose is to highlight the creation and sharing of stories about and for Montanans. Its mission supports the development of playwrights, storytellers, writers, performers, and their creative works. MPN offers conferences, public performances and other events to facilitate creative self-expression and cultural enrichment through applications of Story principles. MPN particularly supports the cultural expression of Native communities in non-native environments.
- Income
- $74,147
- Spending
- $55,717
- Reserves
- 1.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 57%
- Highest pay
- $1,030, president/executive director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 39 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 91% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $40,026 spent. 1. Helena Avenue Theatre: While the Montana Playwrights Network (MPN) serves individuals and organizations from statewide communities, it primarily operates out of its home facility, the Helena Avenue Theatre (HAT) in Helena. As the organization's largest expense, maintaining this facility in support of MPN operations and other organizations that contract to use the HAT for their own events, MPN is responsible for paying rent, utilities and operating costs such as insurance, internet connection, and website services. Additionally, MPN purchases and maintains all facility equipment and supplies, and engages qualified independent contractors for selected operations at the HAT. The number of persons who benefit is estimated annually between 1,160 - 1,600.
- $8,374 spent. 2. New Works and Education Programming: The Montana Playwrights Network (MPN) offers a variety of programs that educate, train and enlighten attendees and provide forums for the interchange of current social and cultural themes and topics important to Montanans. These programs include theatre productions, concerts, conferences, and classes as well as entertainments such as the bi-annual MPN Premiere Project, the annual Montana Writers Rodeo, acting, directing and writing classes, MPN's Project Inkubator, and MPN's "Page To Stage" Reading Series that highlight original works in progress created by Montana authors and playwrights. The reading series also stimulates and facilitates thoughtful, thematic discussions between attending audience members and participants. The number of people benefiting from MPN's new works and education programming is estimated annually between 500 and 600.
- $7,317 spent. 3. Annual Winter Lodge Rendezvous: This unique and popular annual event features a variety of Native American artists, musicians, historians and presenters who highlight cultural, historical topics and native arts that are representative of Montana's indigenous peoples and presented for mostly non-native audiences. The number of people benefiting from MPN's Winter Lodge Rendezvous is estimated annually between 120 - 150. All MPN services and events are open to the public.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.
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 February 2017.
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.