Big Sky Film Institute
Big Sky Film Institute faces recent financial deficit with declining assets, despite consistent 0% officer compensation.
EIN: 201937230 · Missoula, MT · NTEE: A31 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $523K |
| Total Expenses | $502K |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| Net Assets | $-9,329 |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is Big Sky Film Institute Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Big Sky Film Institute directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Big Sky Film Institute
Big Sky Film Institute (EIN: 201937230) is a nonprofit organization based in Missoula, MT, classified under NTEE code A31. The organization reported total revenue of $523K and total assets of $94K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Big Sky Film Institute's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Big Sky Film Institute is a small nonprofit that has been operating for 21 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 2.8%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $400K |
| Total Expenses | $502K |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-102,886 |
| Total Assets | $11K |
| Total Liabilities | $20K |
| Net Assets | $-9,329 |
| Operating Margin | -25.7% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 185.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 0.3 months |
Financial Health Grade: D
In 2023, Big Sky Film Institute reported a deficit of $103K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 0.3 months of operating reserves (limited), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 185.9% (high leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Big Sky Film Institute's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.8%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -11.3% | +6.9% | -90.7% |
| 2022 | +18.1% | +38.7% | -2.5% |
| 2021 | -4.3% | -12.6% | -10.4% |
| 2020 | +19.9% | +20.5% | +72.5% |
| 2019 | +22.1% | +2.5% | +10.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 2005 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Big Sky Film Institute with a Mission Score of 75 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Big Sky Film Institute allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $103K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 185.9%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation has consistently been reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that no officers received compensation from the organization. This is a strong positive for a nonprofit of its size, suggesting a high dedication to mission over executive pay.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Big Sky Film Institute's IRS 990 filings:
- Significant operational deficit in 2023 ($102,886, as expenses of $502,485 exceeded revenue of $399,599).
- Sharp decline in assets from $116,253 in 2022 to $10,858 in 2023.
- Negative net asset position in 2023 (assets $10,858 vs. liabilities $20,187).
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Big Sky Film Institute:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation across all reported years, indicating strong dedication to mission.
- Long history of IRS 990 filings (13 filings), demonstrating commitment to transparency.
- Generally strong revenue generation, with latest revenue at $523,410, indicating donor support.
Frequently Asked Questions about Big Sky Film Institute
Is Big Sky Film Institute a legitimate charity?
Big Sky Film Institute (EIN: 201937230) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in Montana. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 75/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $523K. 3 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: D.
How does Big Sky Film Institute spend its money?
Big Sky Film Institute directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 5%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Big Sky Film Institute tax-deductible?
Big Sky Film Institute is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 201937230). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What percentage of Big Sky Film Institute's spending goes to programs?
Big Sky Film Institute directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Big Sky Film Institute compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), Big Sky Film Institute is above average for NTEE category A31 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Big Sky Film Institute located?
Big Sky Film Institute is headquartered in Missoula, Montana and files with the IRS under EIN 201937230. It is classified under NTEE code A31.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Big Sky Film Institute have?
Big Sky Film Institute has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $523K in total revenue.
Is Big Sky Film Institute financially stable given the 2023 deficit?
The 2023 filing shows expenses ($502,485) significantly exceeding revenue ($399,599), resulting in a deficit. Additionally, assets decreased substantially from $116,253 in 2022 to $10,858 in 2023, while liabilities remained relatively stable at $20,187. This indicates a challenging financial year and raises concerns about short-term stability if this trend continues.
What caused the significant drop in assets in 2023?
The provided data does not specify the exact reasons for the asset drop from $116,253 in 2022 to $10,858 in 2023. This could be due to asset liquidation, significant operational losses, or reclassification of funds. Further investigation into the detailed financial statements would be necessary to understand this change.
How does Big Sky Film Institute fund its operations when expenses exceed revenue?
In years where expenses exceed revenue (e.g., 2023, 2022, 2018), the organization likely draws upon accumulated reserves from prior profitable years, utilizes lines of credit, or receives restricted grants that are not fully reflected in the annual revenue figures provided. The increase in liabilities in 2023 could also indicate increased borrowing.
Is the organization transparent with its financial reporting?
With 13 IRS 990 filings available, Big Sky Film Institute demonstrates a strong commitment to financial transparency by consistently submitting its required reports. This extensive filing history allows for a detailed analysis of its financial trends over time.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Big Sky Film Institute showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Big Sky Film Institute's revenue has grown by 38.8%, moving from $288K to $400K. Total assets decreased by 80.9% over the same period, from $57K to $11K. Total functional expenses rose by 98%, from $254K to $502K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Big Sky Film Institute reported a deficit of $103K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $20K in liabilities against $11K in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 185.9%), resulting in net assets of $-9,329.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $400K | $502K | $11K | $20K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $450K | $470K | $116K | $23K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $381K | $339K | $119K | $6K | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $398K | $388K | $133K | $62K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $332K | $322K | $77K | $17K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $272K | $314K | $70K | $9K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $272K | $353K | $108K | $7K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $292K | $267K | $201K | $19K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $308K | $249K | $157K | $1K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $224K | $205K | $97K | $2K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $180K | $181K | $34K | $8K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $207K | $229K | $28K | $1K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $288K | $254K | $57K | $8K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $400K, expenses of $502K, and assets of $11K (revenue -11.3% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $450K, expenses of $470K, and assets of $116K (revenue +18.1% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $381K, expenses of $339K, and assets of $119K (revenue -4.3% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $398K, expenses of $388K, and assets of $133K (revenue +19.9% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $332K, expenses of $322K, and assets of $77K (revenue +22.1% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $272K, expenses of $314K, and assets of $70K (revenue +-0.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $272K, expenses of $353K, and assets of $108K (revenue -6.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $292K, expenses of $267K, and assets of $201K (revenue -5.2% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $308K, expenses of $249K, and assets of $157K (revenue +37.6% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $224K, expenses of $205K, and assets of $97K (revenue +24.8% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $180K, expenses of $181K, and assets of $34K (revenue -13.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $207K, expenses of $229K, and assets of $28K (revenue -28.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $288K, expenses of $254K, and assets of $57K.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Big Sky Film Institute:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Big Sky Film Institute is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.