Quick charity verification for Montana Policy Institute (EIN: 202591461)
Verdict: Montana Policy Institute has notable concerns
20/100Mission Score
$0Revenue
$0Assets
3Red Flags
1Strengths
Red Flags
Latest reported revenue and assets are $0, indicating potential dormancy or cessation of operations.
Consistent history of operating at a deficit, with expenses exceeding revenue in multiple periods (e.g., 2016, 2012, 2011).
Significant decline in financial activity from 2012 to the present, raising questions about sustainability.
Strengths
Consistently reported 0% officer compensation across all available filing periods, indicating a commitment to minimizing administrative overhead in this area.
Spending Breakdown
How Montana Policy Institute allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.
0%
Program Spending
Concerning — less than half to programs
0%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
0%
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 Policy Institute
Is Montana Policy Institute a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Montana Policy Institute (EIN: 202591461) has notable concerns. Mission Score: 20/100. 3 red flags identified, 1 strength noted.
Is Montana Policy Institute a good charity to donate to?
Montana Policy Institute has a Mission Score of 20/100. Revenue: $0. Assets: $0. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.
What is the EIN for Montana Policy Institute?
The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Montana Policy Institute is 202591461. 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 Policy Institute spend its money?
Montana Policy Institute allocates 0% to programs, 0% to administration, and 0% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.
How can I verify Montana Policy Institute's tax-exempt status?
You can verify Montana Policy Institute's tax-exempt status using EIN 202591461 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
The Montana Policy Institute exhibits a concerning financial trend, with its latest reported revenue and assets at $0, suggesting potential inactivity or significant financial distress. Historically, the organization has frequently operated at a deficit, with expenses exceeding revenue in multiple periods, such as 2016 ($95,636 expenses vs. $59,650 revenue) and 2012 ($506,110 expenses vs. $473,128 revenue). This consistent spending beyond income raises questions about long-term sustainability and funding sources. While officer compensation has consistently been reported as 0%, which is positive for donor perception, the overall financial health appears precarious given the current $0 revenue and asset status.
The organization's spending efficiency cannot be fully assessed without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the recurring deficits indicate an inability to manage expenses within its income, which is a significant inefficiency. The lack of recent financial activity (zero revenue/assets) also impacts transparency, as there's no current financial data to analyze for accountability. The historical data shows a fluctuating financial picture, with a peak in revenue and expenses in 2012, followed by a sharp decline, culminating in the current dormant state.
Given the available data, the organization's financial health is poor, marked by historical deficits and a current state of apparent inactivity. While transparency regarding officer compensation is good, the overall lack of detailed spending breakdowns and the current financial dormancy limit a comprehensive assessment of efficiency and accountability.