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Museum of the Rockies

EIN 81-6016828 · Bozeman, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES INVITES ALL PEOPLE TO DISCOVER NATURAL SCIENCE AND CULTURAL HISTORY. THE MUSEUM'S EXHIBITS, COLLECTIONS, PROGRAMS, AND RESEARCH CREATE A COMMUNITY RESOURCE THAT BRINGS THE WORLD TO MONTANA AND SHARES THE NORTHERN ROCKIES WITH THE WORLD.

Income
$9.4 million
Spending
$6.1 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
35.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 37%
Employees
0
Volunteers
99
Highest pay
$190,984, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 35.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 36% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 December 31, 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 (4)
  1. $3.2 million spent. CONSTRUCTION AND PRESENTATION OF PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY EXHIBITS THAT INFORMS THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE RESULTS OF THE MUSEUM'S RESEARCH. THE MUSEUM CONDUCTS RESEARCH AND ACQUIRES AND MAINTAINS COLLECTIONS FOR PUBLICATION, EXHIBITION, AND TEACHING.
  2. $555,716 spent. THE MUSEUM DEVELOPS AND PROVIDES EDUCATION PROGRAMS INTERNALLY AND THROUGH OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO STUDENTS.
  3. $292,709 spent. THE MUSEUM OPERATES A BOOKSTORE, GIFT SHOP, AND CAFE IN THE MUSEUM. BOOKS, SCIENCE KITS, AND OTHER INVENTORY ARE SELECTED WITH CONSIDERATION OF HOW THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE MUSEUM'S MISSION. THE CAFE SERVES MUSEUM VISITORS, MEMBERS, AND STAFF TO SUPPORT THE OVERALL MUSEUM EXPERIENCE. EXPENSES REPORTED ABOVE ON LINE 4C REPRESENT FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES ONLY. AS PRESENTED IN PART IX EXPENSES REPORTED ABOVE ON LINE 4C DO NOT INCLUDE COST OF GOODS SOLD AMOUNTING TO $497,148 AS PRESENTED IN PART VIII, LINE 10B.
  4. $733,520 spent. THE MUSEUM OFFERS MEMBERSHIPS THAT PROVIDE FREE, UNLIMITED ADMISSION TO THE MUSEUM AND THE PLANETARIUM, DISCOUNTS ON CLASSES, PROGRAMS, FIELD TRIPS, AND STORE MERCHANDISE

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 April 1966.

    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.

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.