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Big Sky Community Housing Trust

EIN 84-3391892 · Big Sky, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF BSCHT IS TO ENHANCE THE AVAILABILITY OF HOUSING TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY. BSCHT HELPED WITH CONSTRUCTION & HOA MANAGEMENT OF MEADOWVIEW, A DEED RESTRICTED CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT FOR LOCAL WORKERS. WE PROVIDED DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE LOANS. BSCHT ALSO WORKS TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE RENTAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY'S WORKFORCE, INCREASE SUPPLY, PROVIDE MINOR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SUPPORT, AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY REGARDING RENTAL OPTIONS.

Income
$4.0 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
18 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 47%
Employees
4
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$133,505, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.0 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 45% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 62% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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 (5)
  1. $1.3 million spent. THE GOOD DEEDS PROGRAM seeks to preserve local workforce access to existingresidential inventory by purchasing deed restrictions from homebuyers or homeowners.The deed restriction requires workforce occupancy and prohibits use of the property for short-term rental in perpetuity. Homebuyers generally utilize the funds for down payment assistance and closing costs. As of December 2024, sixteen deed restrictions have been purchased under the program.
  2. $577,064 spent. THE RENT LOCAL PROGRAM offers cash incentives to property owners in exchange forremoving their property from the short-term vacation rental pool and making it available for long-term residential lease to the local workforce. A maximum rent cap, verification of qualified resident, and minimum one-year lease is required by the program. The maximum incentive a property owner may receive is two years. As of December 2024, the program has enlisted 137 properties to house 344 local workforce tenants.
  3. $96,620 spent. TRIPLE CREEK DEVELOPMENT makes two 3-bedroom single family homes available to theHousing Trust at a minimal cost, for long-term lease to income-qualified (140% AMI) local work force, with rent set at 30% of tenants household income. Net proceeds from the rentals are donated unrestricted to the Housing Trust.
  4. $18,770 spent. THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE LOAN/MEADOWVIEW TOWNHOMES PROGRAM offers zero-interest loans to buyers of income-qualified (150% AMI), deed-restricted residences inthe Meadowview development for down payment and associated closing costs. All loansare repaid to BSCHT in full upon sale, to be used to facilitate purchases by subsequent buyers.The Meadowview development includes 52 1- and 2-bedroom deed-restricted,appreciation-capped townhomes for purchase by income qualified (150% AMI) localworkforce. BSCHT retains ownership of the underlying land as a community land trust and ensures homeowner qualification and permanent affordability via ground lease. Resales are managed by BSCHT. In 2024, eight Meadowview homes resold to other income-qualified buyers.
  5. $12,921 spent. THE RIVERVIEW APARTMENTS PROGRAM involves the development of two apartmentbuildings for a total of 25 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments. The development was primarily funded with the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and is operated under that programs rules. Apartments are available to income-qualified (60% AMI) families and individuals, with rental rates set at 30% of tenants household income. The buildings opened for occupancy in September of 2024.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 March 2020.

    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.

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