Is Catalyst Impact Montana Legit?

Spending Breakdown

How Catalyst Impact Montana allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

75%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

10%

Fundraising

Within typical range

How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.

How to Interpret This Report

What Red Flags Mean

Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.

What Mission Score Measures

The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.

Using This Data for Donation Decisions

Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Catalyst Impact Montana

Is Catalyst Impact Montana a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Catalyst Impact Montana (EIN: 204601177) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.

Is Catalyst Impact Montana a good charity to donate to?

Catalyst Impact Montana has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $121K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Catalyst Impact Montana?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Catalyst Impact Montana is 204601177. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.

What is a Mission Score?

The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.

How does Catalyst Impact Montana spend its money?

Catalyst Impact Montana allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Catalyst Impact Montana's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Catalyst Impact Montana's tax-exempt status using EIN 204601177 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.

AI Transparency Report

Catalyst Impact Montana appears to be in a transitional or early operational phase, as indicated by its latest reported revenue of $0. This lack of current revenue, despite having $120,945 in assets, suggests a potential pause in fundraising or program activities, or that the latest filing reflects a period before significant operations began. Historically, the organization has shown fluctuating financial activity, with a notable revenue of $177,965 in 2020 followed by significantly lower revenues in subsequent years. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all filings is a positive indicator of financial stewardship and a focus on mission over executive pay. However, the absence of detailed expense breakdowns in the provided data makes a precise assessment of spending efficiency challenging. The organization's consistent asset base, despite revenue fluctuations, suggests a degree of financial stability, but the current $0 revenue is a significant concern for ongoing viability without further context.

Given the limited expense details, it's difficult to fully assess spending efficiency. However, the historical trend shows expenses generally lower than revenue in 2020 and 2022, indicating a surplus in those periods. The 2021 period, however, saw expenses ($32,064) exceed revenue ($25,155), resulting in a deficit. The consistent reporting of zero liabilities across all periods is a strong positive for financial health, indicating the organization is not carrying debt. Transparency is generally good, with consistent filings and clear reporting of assets and liabilities. The lack of officer compensation is a strong point for public trust.

Overall, Catalyst Impact Montana demonstrates a commitment to low administrative overhead in terms of executive compensation and maintains a healthy balance sheet with no liabilities. The primary concern is the recent $0 revenue, which needs to be addressed for long-term sustainability. Without a detailed breakdown of expenses into program, administrative, and fundraising categories, a complete assessment of spending efficiency is limited. However, the historical data suggests periods of both financial surplus and deficit, highlighting a need for consistent revenue generation.

Verdict: Catalyst Impact Montana appears trustworthy

Red Flags

Strengths