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Missoula Farigrounds Foundation

EIN 84-1396995 · Missoula, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceWeak38 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO PRESERVE A PLACE OF COMMUNITY CONNECTION THAT RENEWS CURIOSITY IN OUR RURAL ROOTS WHILE ENSURING THAT ICONIC WESTERN MONTANA TRADITIONS LIVE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PROJECTS FOR BUILDING RENOVATION AND RESTORATION AS WELL AS PROGRAMMING OPPORTUNITIES CONNECTED TO THE WESTERN MONTANA FAIR , AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND WESTERN SPORTING TRADITIONS.

Income
$219,329
Spending
$578,513
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
0
Volunteers
5

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 164% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM IS SUPPORT OF A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO REVITALIZE AND REBUILD THE HISTORIC MISSOULA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, PRESERVING A PLACE OF COMMUNITY CONNECTION THAT RENEWS CURIOSITY IN OUR RURAL ROOTS AND THAT WILL ENSURE THAT OUR MOST ICONIC WESTERN MONTANA TRADITIONS LIVE ON FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE VISION SHARED BY OUR COMMUNITY AND STAKEHOLDERS IS TO BUILD A REVITALIZED MISSOULA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, BRIDGING OUR URBAN VIBRANCY AND RURAL HERITAGE WHILE SAFEGUARDING OUR FOOD SECURITY. THE ADDITION OF A NEW ARENA & GRANSTANDS WILL PROVIDE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS ALIKE, SOLIDIFYING A FUTURE FOR AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AND WESTERN SPORTING TRADITIONS.
  2. $578,513 spent. OTHER EXPENSES: MEALS 350 ACCOUNTING FEES 790 TAXES & LICENSES 41
  3. OTHER EXPENSES: MEALS 350 ACCOUNTING FEES 790 TAXES & LICENSES 41

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 January 1999.

    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.