Montana Free Press
- Assets
- $1.4m
- Revenue
- $925.2k
- Investments
- $0.0
- Employees
- 13
- Location
- Helena, MT
- Founding
- 05/2019
- Data as of
- 12/2021
- EIN
- 47-5237719
Organization Overview
Montana Free Press is located in Helena, MT. The organization was established in 2019. According to its NTEE Classification (A33) the organization is classified as: Printing & Publishing, under the broad grouping of Arts, Culture & Humanities and related organizations. As of 12/2021, Montana Free Press employed 13 individuals. This organization is an independent organization and not affiliated with a larger national or regional group of organizations. Montana Free Press is a 501(c)(3) and as such, is described as a "Charitable or Religous organization or a private foundation" by the IRS.
For the year ending 12/2021, Montana Free Press generated $925.2k in total revenue. This organization has experienced exceptional growth, as over the past 4 years, it has increased revenue by an average of 33.3% each year . All expenses for the organization totaled $936.3k during the year ending 12/2021. You can explore the organizations financials more deeply in the financial statements section below.
Form
990
Mission & Program ActivityExcerpts From the 990 Filing
TAX YEAR
2021
Describe the Organization's Mission:
Part 3 - Line 1
MONTANA FREE PRESS IS AN INDEPENDENT, NONPROFIT, READER-SUPPORTED NEWSROOM THATPROVIDES HIGH QUALITY, IN-DEPTH AND DATA-INFORMED NEWS, INFORMATION, AND ANALYSIS TOALL FREE OF CHARGE.WE BELIEVE THAT PUBLIC SERVICE JOURNALISM HAS THE CAPACITY TO CATALYZE POSITIVESOCIAL CHANGE BECAUSE WE BELIEVE FREE ACCESS TO INFORMATION IS THE TINDER TO IGNITEACTION. WE ENVISION A FUTURE FOR OUR STATE WITH EQUITABLE ACCESS TO CLEAN AIR AND AHEALTHY ENVIRONMENT, HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION, AFFORDABLE HOMES, SUSTAINABLE ECONOMICGROWTH, AND ABOVE ALL, ACCESS TO UNBIASED INFORMATION THAT ALLOWS MONTANANS TO BEENGAGED CITIZENS. WE DONT TELL OUR READERS HOW TO THINK; RATHER, WE PROVIDE THEM WITH UNBIASED FACTS AND ANALYSIS TO FORM THEIR OWN OPINIONS AND ACTIONS.WE HOLD THOSE IN POWER ACCOUNTABLE WHILE STRIVING TO MOVE MONTANAS NEEDLE TOWARD AJUST AND EQUITABLE DEMOCRACY. IN A SEA OF ADVERTISING REVENUE-DRIVEN NEWSROOMS, MTFPIS AN INNOVATIVE LEADER IN THE NEWS INDUSTRY, COMMITTED TO OPERATING UNDER A NONPROFIT MOD
Describe the Organization's Program Activity:
Part 3 - Line 4a
PROGRAM:EDITORIALMTFP SEEKS TO UNCOVER THE TRUTH AND BRING TO LIGHT ESSENTIAL NEWS STORIES BY STUDYING ARCANE BUREAUCRATIC PROCESSES, SEEKING OUT DARK CORNERS OF MAJOR INSTITUTIONS, DIGGING DEEP INTO DATA AND DOCUMENTS, AND HOLDING THOSE IN POWER ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE. WE WORK INDEPENDENTLY AND IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER NEWS OUTLETS AROUND MONTANA TO PRODUCE MEANINGFUL NEW STORIES THAT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
PROGRAM: AUDIENCEONE OF MTFP'S KEY GOALS IS TO PRODUCE ACCOUNTABILITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE JOURNALISM THAT FILLS THE INFORMATION NEEDS OF MONTANANS, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS WHERE THEY ARE UNDERSERVED BY LOCAL NEWS. IN ORDER TO MEET THE INFORMATION NEEDS OF MONTANANS, WE MUST PRIORITIZE DISSEMINATION OF OUR FREE CONTENT. WE HAVE EXPERTISE IN DATA-VISUALIZATION JOURNALISM AND AUDIO JOURNALISM - OUR AUDIENCE SAYS THEY WANT IT AND AREN'T FINDING IT ELSEWHERE - AND CONTINUE TO EXPLORE AND IMPLEMENT NEW METHODS OF DELIVERING NEWS THAT MEET MONTANANS WHEREVER THEY ARE, AND HOWEVER THEY MIGHT ACCESS OUR WORK, WHETHER ONLINE, ON MOBILE, OR VIA CUSTOM-BUILT NEWS APPS AND NEWSLETTERS, SOCIAL MEDIA, BRODCAST, OR LIVE EVENTS.
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PDF Copies of 990 Filings
Board, Officers & Key Employees
| Name (title) | Role | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
John Adams Executive Dir. | Officer | 40 | $95,000 |
Skylar Browning Secretary | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 |
Jessie Schandelson President | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 |
Drew Geiger Treasurer | OfficerTrustee | 1 | $0 |
Charles Johnson Director | Trustee | 1 | $0 |
Tresa Smith Director | Trustee | 1 | $0 |
Financial Statements
| Statement of Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Federated campaigns | $0 |
| Membership dues | $0 |
| Fundraising events | $0 |
| Related organizations | $0 |
| Government grants | $30,226 |
| All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above | $894,929 |
| Noncash contributions included in lines 1a–1f | $0 |
| Total Revenue from Contributions, Gifts, Grants & Similar | $925,155 |
| Total Program Service Revenue | $0 |
| Investment income | $58 |
| Tax Exempt Bond Proceeds | $0 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Net Rental Income | $0 |
| Net Gain/Loss on Asset Sales | $0 |
| Net Income from Fundraising Events | $0 |
| Net Income from Gaming Activities | $0 |
| Net Income from Sales of Inventory | $0 |
| Miscellaneous Revenue | $0 |
| Total Revenue | $925,213 |
| Statement of Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. | $0 |
| Grants and other assistance to Foreign Orgs/Individuals | $0 |
| Benefits paid to or for members | $0 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $91,625 |
| Compensation of current officers, directors, key employees. | $14,670 |
| Compensation to disqualified persons | $0 |
| Other salaries and wages | $440,169 |
| Pension plan accruals and contributions | $9,993 |
| Other employee benefits | $55,213 |
| Payroll taxes | $49,103 |
| Fees for services: Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Legal | $0 |
| Fees for services: Accounting | $0 |
| Fees for services: Lobbying | $0 |
| Fees for services: Fundraising | $0 |
| Fees for services: Investment Management | $0 |
| Fees for services: Other | $18,639 |
| Advertising and promotion | $59,885 |
| Office expenses | $12,486 |
| Information technology | $33,986 |
| Royalties | $0 |
| Occupancy | $46,002 |
| Travel | $7,427 |
| Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials | $0 |
| Conferences, conventions, and meetings | $0 |
| Interest | $0 |
| Payments to affiliates | $0 |
| Depreciation, depletion, and amortization | $0 |
| Insurance | $8,724 |
| All other expenses | $0 |
| Total functional expenses | $936,289 |
| Balance Sheet | |
|---|---|
| Cash—non-interest-bearing | $787,684 |
| Savings and temporary cash investments | $0 |
| Pledges and grants receivable | $607,427 |
| Accounts receivable, net | $0 |
| Loans from Officers, Directors, or Controlling Persons | $0 |
| Loans from Disqualified Persons | $0 |
| Notes and loans receivable | $0 |
| Inventories for sale or use | $0 |
| Prepaid expenses and deferred charges | $0 |
| Net Land, buildings, and equipment | $0 |
| Investments—publicly traded securities | $0 |
| Investments—other securities | $0 |
| Investments—program-related | $0 |
| Intangible assets | $0 |
| Other assets | $0 |
| Total assets | $1,395,111 |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $10,661 |
| Grants payable | $0 |
| Deferred revenue | $0 |
| Tax-exempt bond liabilities | $0 |
| Escrow or custodial account liability | $0 |
| Loans and other payables to any current Officer, Director, or Controlling Person | $0 |
| Secured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Unsecured mortgages and notes payable | $0 |
| Other liabilities | $37,619 |
| Total liabilities | $48,280 |
| Net assets without donor restrictions | $550,443 |
| Net assets with donor restrictions | $796,388 |
| Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds | $0 |
| Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building, or equipment fund | $0 |
| Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds | $0 |
| Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances | $1,395,111 |
Grants Recieved
Over the last fiscal year, we have identified 19 grants that Montana Free Press has recieved totaling $748,518.
| Awarding Organization | Amount |
|---|---|
American Journalism Project Inc Washington, DC PURPOSE: TO GROW AND DIVERSIFY REVENUE AND TO ADVANCE TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE MODEL FOR LOCAL NEWS. | $191,674 |
American Journalism Project Inc Washington, DC PURPOSE: TO GROW AND DIVERSIFY REVENUE AND TO ADVANCE TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE MODEL FOR LOCAL NEWS. | $191,674 |
Schwab Charitable Fund San Francisco, CA PURPOSE: ARTS, CULTURE & HUMANITIES | $119,400 |
Wilburforce Foundation Seattle, WA PURPOSE: ENVIRONMENTAL | $50,000 |
Local Media Association Lake City, MI PURPOSE: STIPEND FOR READER REVENUE INITIATIVE PROJECTS | $50,000 |
Montana Healthcare Foundation Bozeman, MT PURPOSE: HEALTH FROM MORE ANGLES: INTERSECTIONAL HEALTH CARE REPORTING AND ANALYSIS FOR MONTANA COMMUNITIES | $39,870 |
Peer Organizations
| Organization Name | Assets | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
Montana Free Press Helena, MT | $1,395,111 | $925,213 |
Piegan Institute Browning, MT | $1,242,442 | $579,975 |
National Association For Holistic Aromatherapy Poctello, ID | $419,921 | $544,330 |
Salt Of The Earth Sioux Falls, SD | $5,157,639 | $752,827 |
Cowboy State Daily Lander, WY | $79,609 | $187,798 |
South Dakota News Watch Sioux Falls, SD | $356,585 | $360,078 |
National Bowhunter Education Foundation Rapid City, SD | $893,385 | $265,573 |
South Dakota Newspaper Association Brookings, SD | $748,585 | $170,404 |
Twin Falls Flyers Inc Twin Falls, ID | $129,809 | $0 |
Western States Communication Association Inc Missoula, MT | $927,072 | $92,043 |
Whitefish Review Inc Whitefish, MT | $64,733 | $0 |
Whit Press Jackson, WY | $93,346 | $0 |