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Mountain Shadow Association

EIN 83-2453245 · Bozeman, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 45% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

MOUNTAIN SHADOW ASSOCIATION (MSA) IS A COMMUNITY-BASED, NATIVE-AMERICAN NON-PROFIT FOCUSED ON REPAIRING AND RESTORING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS, CITIZENS AND THEIR COMMUNITY, FAMILIES AND THEIR CULTURE, INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$607,111
Spent on programs
45%
Reserves
8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
9
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$102,245, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.0 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 61% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 170% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    45% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 9 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 January 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 (2)
  1. $120,708 spent. ANIIWAAXAATCHILEESH KOWAAKAALIXKX (WE ASK GOOD THINGS FOR YOU) IS AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AIMED AT REACHING STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT CURRENTLY ENGAGING IN PROSOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND WHO ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING TRAUMA, DISCIPLINE OR ACADEMIC STRUGGLES, AND/OR SUBSTANCE USE EXPOSURE THROUGH FRIEND GROUPS OR FAMILY. ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES ARE PROVIDED TO STUDENTS IN TRAUMA-INFORMED WAYS WITH A FOUNDATION IN RESTORATIVE PRACTICE.
  2. $154,862 spent. BLESSED BEGINNINGS IS OUR DROP-IN RECOVERY SUPPORT COMMUNITY FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS. WE FACILITATE SUPPORT GROUPS FOR PARENTING, LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, RECOVERY, TRAUMA, AND WELLNESS FROM A SPIRITUAL AND INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE. WE ALSO PROVIDE FINANCIAL GRANTS TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO LONG-TERM SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 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 January 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 August 2019.

    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.