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Big Leaf Montessori

EIN 91-1647750 · Longview, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE ARE AN APPROVED PRIVATE SCHOOL AND CHILDCARE CENTER PROVIDING MONTESSORI EDUCATION TO CHILDREN OF COWLITZ COUNTY, WA AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

Income
$415,339
Spending
$368,718
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
6.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 86%
Employees
12
Volunteers
70

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 171% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 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

    0 of 10

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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. $364,640 spent. FROM JANUARY TO JUNE 2024 OUR SEVEN EXCEPTIONAL STAFF SERVED 40 CHILDREN AGES 30 MONTHS TO 12 YEARS OF AGE, PROVIDING QUALITY INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION USING THE MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY. OUR ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM ATTENDED FIELD TRIPS AND OUTINGS, AS WELL AS OUR OUTDOOR SCHOOL TRIP. OUR PRIMARY CLASSROOM FINALIZED REQUIREMENTS FOR THE QUALITY RECOGNITION CYCLE THROUGH THE WASHINGTON EARLY ACHIEVERS PROGRAM AS WELL AS A SEPARATE RECOGNITION PROCESS THROUGH THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST MONTESSORI ASSOCIATION. WE CONTINUE TO OFFER EXTENDED DAY AND SUMMER CARE OPTIONS FOR WORKING PARENTS. PARENTS REPORT THAT THEIR STUDENTS MAKE LEARNING GAINS DURING SUMMER CARE, RATHER THAN LEARNING LOST. WE PARTICIPATE IN BOTH THE STATE OF WASHINGTON AND COWLITZ TRIBAL SUBSIDY PROGRAMS TO EXPAND ACCESSIBILITY FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. MORE THAN 20% OF OUR STUDENTS RELY ON THESE CRITICAL PROGRAMS. FROM JANUARY TO JUNE 2024 OUR SEVEN EXCEPTIONAL STAFF SERVED 40 CHILDREN AGES 30 MONTHS TO 12 YEARS OF AGE, PROVIDING QUALITY INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTION USING THE MONTESSORI PHILOSOPHY. OUR ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM ATTENDED FIELD TRIPS AND OUTINGS, AS WELL AS OUR OUTDOOR SCHOOL TRIP. OUR PRIMARY CLASSROOM FINALIZED REQUIREMENTS FOR THE QUALITY RECOGNITION CYCLE THROUGH THE WASHINGTON EARLY ACHIEVERS PROGRAM AS WELL AS A SEPARATE RECOGNITION PROCESS THROUGH THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST MONTESSORI ASSOCIATION. WE CONTINUE TO OFFER EXTENDED DAY AND SUMMER CARE OPTIONS FOR WORKING PARENTS. PARENTS REPORT THAT THEIR STUDENTS MAKE LEARNING GAINS DURING SUMMER CARE, RATHER THAN LEARNING LOST. WE PARTICIPATE IN BOTH THE STATE OF WASHINGTON AND COWLITZ TRIBAL SUBSIDY PROGRAMS TO EXPAND ACCESSIBILITY FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. MORE THAN 20% OF OUR STUDENTS RELY ON THESE CRITICAL PROGRAMS.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on November 15, 2011 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on November 15, 2011.

    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 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 July 2018.

    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.