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Howlers Ridge

EIN 99-3154576 · Bozeman, MT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood74 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HOWLERS RIDGE IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING HEALING, PERSONAL GROWTH, AND RESILIENCE THROUGH IMMERSIVE, NATURE-BASED RETREATS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND GRANTS TO NONPROFIT PARTNERS. WE PROVIDE PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA TIME, SPACE AND CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS IN NATURE TO SUPPORT THEIR HEALING PROCESS. WE WORK WITH VETERANS, PEOPLE IN RECOVERY FROM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND OTHER TRAUMA SURVIVORS TO PROMOTE HEALING, CONNECTION AND EMPOWERMENT.

Income
$209,938
Spending
$70,318
Spent on programs
25%
Reserves
23.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
0
Volunteers
3
Highest pay
$43,600, 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (mental health, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.8 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 67% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1584% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    25% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (mental health, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    2 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $17,440 spent. NATURE- BASED HEALING RETREATS - HOWLERS RIDGE IS DEVELOPING ITS NATURE-BASED HEALING RETREAT PROGRAM IN PREPARATION FOR FUTURE MULTI-DAY RETREATS SERVING SMALL GROUPS OF PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA, INCLUDING VETERANS AND PEOPLE IN RECOVERY FROM SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. DURING 2025, PROGRAM WORK FOCUSED ON RETREAT DESIGN, PARTNER DEVELOPMENT, AND PLANNING TRAUMA-INFORMED, NATURE-BASED ACTIVITIES INTENDED TO SUPPORT HEALING, CONNECTION, RESILIENCE, AND PERSONAL GROWTH.

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 November 6, 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 May 2025.

    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 November 4, 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.