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Lewis & Clark Humane Society

EIN 81-6014910 · Helena, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceFair58 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LEWIS & CLARK HUMANE SOCIETY IS A PRIVATE, COMMUNITY-BASED, NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES SHELTER FOR UNWANTED AND STRAY ANIMALS (PRIMARILY DOGS AND CATS), WHILE WORKING TO END PET OVERPOPULATION, REDUCE THE NEED FOR EUTHENASIA, AND IMPROVE THE HUMANE TREATMENT AND WELL BEING OF COMPANION ANIMALS. IT SERVES A POPULATION OF ROUGHLY 80,000 RESIDENTS IN SOUTHWESTERN MONTANA AND A SERVICE AREA COVERING ROUGHLY 5500 SQUARE MILES.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
29.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
28
Volunteers
125

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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 18% 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

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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. $1.1 million spent. The shelter provides a safe, clean, and comfortable shelter for abandoned or stray pets. The organization contracts with the cities of Helena, East Helena, and Townsend, Lewis & Clark County, Jefferson County, and Broadwater County to house the animals brought in by animal control, officers, and private citizens. It also provides shelter for the dogs and cats of families in emergencies, safekeeping, and housing for cruelty cases going to trial. LCHS works to provide permanent homes for all animals in the shelter. Adopted animals leave the shelter spayed and neutered, fully vaccinated, with a microchip implant, identification tag, and one free vet visit to a local veterinary clinic. Staff and volunteers ensure suitability between pets and owners, work with animals that have behavior problems, and provide support while animals adjust to their new homes.

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 November 6, 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 February 1965.

    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 November 4, 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.