Significant decline in total assets from over $1 million to $285,883 in four years.
Negative revenue reported in 202012 ($-412,564) without clear explanation in summary data.
Expenses frequently exceeding revenue in recent periods (e.g., 202312, 202212, 202112).
Strengths
Zero officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-driven leadership and efficient use of funds.
Consistent filing of IRS 990 forms, demonstrating transparency.
Maintains a significant asset base, despite recent declines, providing some financial cushion.
Spending Breakdown
How Montana Horse Sanctuary allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
85%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
5%
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 Montana Horse Sanctuary
Is Montana Horse Sanctuary a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Montana Horse Sanctuary (EIN: 201266410) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
Is Montana Horse Sanctuary a good charity to donate to?
Montana Horse Sanctuary has a Mission Score of 70/100. Revenue: $49K. Assets: $263K. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Montana Horse Sanctuary?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Montana Horse Sanctuary is 201266410. 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 Montana Horse Sanctuary spend its money?
Montana Horse Sanctuary allocates 85% to programs, 10% to administration, and 5% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Montana Horse Sanctuary's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Montana Horse Sanctuary's tax-exempt status using EIN 201266410 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
Montana Horse Sanctuary demonstrates a consistent commitment to its mission, as evidenced by its program spending. However, the organization has experienced significant fluctuations in revenue and assets over the past few years. For instance, revenue in 202012 was a negative $412,564, a stark contrast to the positive revenues in other periods, which warrants further investigation into the nature of this negative figure. While the organization has maintained zero officer compensation, indicating a volunteer-driven leadership, its asset base has declined substantially from over $1 million in 2019 to $285,883 in 2023. This decline, coupled with periods where expenses exceeded revenue (e.g., 202212 and 202112), suggests potential financial instability or a reliance on drawing down reserves. The consistent filing of IRS 990 forms indicates good transparency in reporting.