Montana Horse Sanctuary
Montana Horse Sanctuary faces declining assets and inconsistent revenue, despite zero officer compensation.
EIN: 201266410 · Stevensville, MT · NTEE: D20 · Updated: 2026-03-28
Is Montana Horse Sanctuary Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Montana Horse Sanctuary directs 85% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Montana Horse Sanctuary
Montana Horse Sanctuary (EIN: 201266410) is a nonprofit organization based in Stevensville, MT, classified under NTEE code D20. The organization reported total revenue of $49K and total assets of $263K according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Montana Horse Sanctuary's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Montana Horse Sanctuary with a Mission Score of 70 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: 10%
- programs: 85%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Montana Horse Sanctuary allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 10%, programs: 85%, fundraising: 5%. With 85% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Executive Compensation Analysis
Executive compensation is reported as 0% across all available filings, indicating that the organization's leadership is entirely volunteer-based, which is commendable for a nonprofit of its size.
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 Montana Horse Sanctuary's IRS 990 filings:
- 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
The following positive indicators were identified for Montana Horse Sanctuary:
- 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.
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) some concerns. Mission Score: 70/100. 3 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Montana Horse Sanctuary spend its money?
Montana Horse Sanctuary directs 85% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Montana Horse Sanctuary tax-deductible?
Montana Horse Sanctuary is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 201266410). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
What caused the negative revenue of $-412,564 in 202012?
The IRS 990 filing for 202012 shows a significant negative revenue figure. This could be due to a large asset sale at a loss, a major write-off, or a reporting error. Further detail from the organization's financial statements would be needed to understand this anomaly.
Why have the organization's assets decreased from over $1 million in 2019 to $285,883 in 2023?
The substantial decline in assets suggests either significant operational losses, major capital expenditures not offset by revenue, or a strategic decision to liquidate assets. This trend warrants a deeper look into the organization's long-term financial strategy and sustainability.
Is Montana Horse Sanctuary financially sustainable given its recent revenue and expense trends?
In recent years (2021-2023), expenses have frequently exceeded revenue (e.g., 202312, 202212, 202112), leading to a draw-down of assets. While the organization has reserves, this pattern, if continued, could pose a challenge to long-term financial sustainability without increased revenue or reduced expenses.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Montana Horse Sanctuary showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Montana Horse Sanctuary's revenue has declined by 70.7%, moving from $190K to $56K. Total assets decreased by 73.7% over the same period, from $1.1M to $286K. Total functional expenses fell by 65.7%, from $169K to $58K. In its most recent filing year (2023), Montana Horse Sanctuary reported a deficit of $2K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $56K | $58K | $286K | $0 | — | — |
| 2022 | $43K | $72K | $288K | $0 | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $61K | $74K | $318K | $0 | — | — |
| 2020 | $-412,564 | $73K | $331K | $80 | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $61K | $63K | $1.0M | $193K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $83K | $79K | $1.1M | $232K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $138K | $92K | $1.1M | $269K | — | — |
| 2016 | $121K | $72K | $1.1M | $302K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $127K | $88K | $1.1M | $336K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $121K | $80K | $1.1M | $368K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $112K | $83K | $1.0M | $398K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $171K | $184K | $1.0M | $429K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $190K | $169K | $1.1M | $457K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $56K, expenses of $58K, and assets of $286K (revenue +30.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $43K, expenses of $72K, and assets of $288K (revenue -30.3% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $61K, expenses of $74K, and assets of $318K.
- 2020: Revenue of $-412,564, expenses of $73K, and assets of $331K (revenue -781.8% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $61K, expenses of $63K, and assets of $1.0M (revenue -26.9% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $83K, expenses of $79K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -40.0% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $138K, expenses of $92K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue +14.2% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $121K, expenses of $72K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue -4.7% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $127K, expenses of $88K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue +4.4% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $121K, expenses of $80K, and assets of $1.1M (revenue +8.0% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $112K, expenses of $83K, and assets of $1.0M (revenue -34.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $171K, expenses of $184K, and assets of $1.0M (revenue -10.1% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $190K, expenses of $169K, and assets of $1.1M.
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Montana Horse Sanctuary 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.