Nonprofit · EIN 45-0492824
BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING
Tax-exempt · MISSOULA, MT 59801
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 30, 2025 | 990 | $1,149,604 | $1,444,408 | -$294,804 | $1,297,302 | $420,637 | $876,665 |
| September 30, 2024 | 990 | $1,182,781 | $1,319,844 | -$137,063 | $1,661,263 | $515,847 | $1,145,416 |
| September 30, 2023 | 990 | $1,488,865 | $1,445,675 | $43,190 | $1,765,984 | $483,505 | $1,282,479 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $58,345
- Program service revenue
- $1,081,507
- Investment income
- $9,752
- Other revenue
- $0
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $116,745
- Other salaries and wages
- $588,154
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $842,467
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $1,450
- Accounting fees
- $2,766
- Occupancy
- $21,981
- Travel
- $276,918
- Depreciation
- $5,069
- Program services (functional)
- $1,269,396
- Management and general (functional)
- $116,507
- Fundraising (functional)
- $58,505
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $1,661,263
- Total assets, end of year
- $1,297,302
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $420,637
- Net assets, end of year
- $876,665
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $20,947
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $876,665
- Gross receipts
- $1,149,604
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 4
- Year formed
- 2002
- State of legal domicile
- MT
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER LUTEY | Executive Dir. Officer | 40 | $91,840 | $27,420 |
| KIM TUCKER | President Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RHONDA KNUDSEN | SECRETARY/TREAS Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT MACMANUS | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DIANE RYSSEL | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JESSE DARLING | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2024: 8 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER LUTEY | Executive Dir. Officer | 40 | $89,259 | $25,879 |
| KIM TUCKER | President Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RHONDA KNUDSEN | SECRETARY/TREAS Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT MACMANUS | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LYNDA LEAL PRINCE | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIEL LEE | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DIANE RYSSEL | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JESSE DARLING | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended September 30, 2023: 7 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER LUTEY | Executive Dir. Officer | 40 | $82,692 | $7,339 |
| KIM TUCKER | President Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RHONDA KNUDSEN | SECRETARY/TREAS Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT MACMANUS | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| LYNDA LEAL PRINCE | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DANIEL LEE | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DIANE RYSSEL | Director Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- 3700 S RUSSELL ST STE 114, MISSOULA, MT 59801-8579
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- JENNIFER LUTEY, 3700 S RUSSELL 114, MISSOULA, MT 59801
- Signed the 990
- JENNIFER LUTEY, Executive Dir.
- Phone
- (406) 542-9994
- Website
- WWW.BRIGHTWAYSLEARNING.ORG
- Return prepared by
- Carver Florek & James LLC
Mission
AS A K-12 EDUCATIONAL NONPROFIT, WE BELIEVE THAT EVERY STUDENT - NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE - DESERVES A GREAT EDUCATION AND A WEB OF SUPPORT. WE PROVIDE WEB-BASED TOOLS, TRAINING AND PERSONALIZED ATTENTION, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AND REMOTE SETTINGS TO FURTHER OUR MISSION.
Program accomplishments
- DURING THE 2023-2024 FISCAL YEAR, BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING CONTINUED THE ORGANIZATION'S MOMENTUM AND FOCUS OF ITS GOAL TO FILL GAPS IN EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF K-12 STUDENTS AND THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THEM THROUGH COLLABORATIVE ENGAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS. BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING SPECIALIZES IN RURAL AND REMOTE EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS AND COMMUNITIES, BECAUSE EVERY CHILD, NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE, DESERVES A GREAT EDUCATION AND A BRIGHT FUTURE.BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING CONTINUED TO VIGOROUSLY ENGAGE OUR TEAM AFTER COVID-19 CREATED THE NEED FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING AND ISOLATION, TO RE-VAMP OUR SERVICES DELIVERY TO BEST MEET THE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND RESILIENCY NEEDS OF STUDENTS, AND THE FAMILIES AND THE SCHOOLS THAT SERVE THEM. BRIGHTWAYS DEVELOPED ADDITIONAL ROBUST AND ENGAGING VIRTUAL RESOURCES TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND CONNECTION TO AND WITH OUR CLIENT STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND SCHOOL SYSTEMS. WE ALSO SAW A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN REQUESTS FOR DISTANCE-BASED SCHOOLING SUPPORT THROUGH OUR BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY SERVICES. WE WERE PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO INCREASE OUR CHARITABLE OFFERINGS TO PROVIDE MANY RESOURCES AT NO COST TO FAMILIES, STUDENTS, AND SCHOOLS. MANY OF THESE RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE AT: HTTPS://WWW.BRIGHTWAYSLEARNING.ORG/COVID19RESOURCES.THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO RECEIVE EXCELLENT REVIEWS FROM SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OTHER CLIENTS FOR ITS COMPETENCY, PERSONALIZED CARING AND ATTENTION, AND COLLABORATIVE ABILITIES. AS ONE SUPERINTENDENT AT A RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICT RECENTLY SAID, "THE STAFF MEMBERS AT BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING HELP SOLVE PROBLEMS. WHEN WE HAVE AN IDEA THAT WE WANT TO DEVELOP OR WANT TO MAKE A CHANGE IN OUR SYSTEM THAT BETTER SUITS OUR NEEDS, THEY SPEND THE TIME WITH US TO MAKE SURE THEY FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT WE WANT AND THEN FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN."A PRIMARY BRIGHTWAYS MISSION IS TO ASSIST STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS BY INCREASING THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF THEIR CONNECTIONS WITH THEIR FAMILIES, SCHOOL PERSONNEL, AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS. STRONG ADULT RELATIONSHIPS ARE PROVEN TOOLS TO DECREASE A STUDENT'S LIFE-LONG RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CHILDHOOD POVERTY AND TRAUMA. THESE TOOLS ARE PARTICULARLY CRITICAL FOR STUDENTS FACING OUR GREATEST CURRENT CHALLENGE, COVID-19. THROUGH OUR UNIQUE, PROVEN WEB OF SUPPORT FRAMEWORK AND SUPPORTING SERVICES, WE HELP IMPROVE IMMEDIATE AND LIFELONG RESILIENCE, WELLBEING, AND ACADEMIC POTENTIAL THROUGH BUILDING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND GROWING PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS.BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING CONTINUES TO SUPPORT FAMILIES WHO ARE SCHOOLING THEIR CHILDREN VIA DISTANCE LEARNING AND HOMESCHOOLING THROUGH THE COGNIA-ACCREDITED BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY. ENROLLMENT IN THIS ACADEMY INCREASED IN THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR, WITH MOST STUDENTS LIVING OVERSEAS AND BEING SCHOOLED AT HOME BY THEIR PARENTS, WHO ARE STATIONED ABROAD THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. BRIGHTWAYS BEGAN SERVING A GROUP OF STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS WHO ENROLLED FROM GREECE TO RECEIVE DISTANCE EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR THEIR SCHOOLED-AT-HOME STUDENTS.BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING SUPPORTS EDUCATOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ONGOING COLLABORATIVE OBSERVATION AND EVALUATION BY THEIR SUPERVISORS THROUGH OUR CLASSBRIGHT EVALUATE WEB-BASED APPLICATION. WE INCREASED SCHOOL USERS IN 2023-24 TO INCLUDE THREE NEW CLIENTS. CURRENT CLASSBRIGHT EVALUATE COLLABORATIVE EDUCATOR DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION SYSTEM USERS INCUDE:ALASKA GATEWAY SCHOOL DISTRICTALEUTIANS EAST BOROUGH SDBRIGHTWAYS LEARNINGBRISTOL BAY BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICTIDITAROD AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTKETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH SDLOWER KUSKOKWIM SCHOOL DISTRICTSOUTHEAST ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICTUM EDUCATION DEPT.WRANGELL PUBLIC SCHOOLSIN ADDITION TO PROVIDING OUR BRIGHTWAYS STUDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO OUR BRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMY STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, MULTIPLE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN ALAKSA ALSO USE THE SYSTEM TO MANAGE STUDENT INFORMATION AND PERSONALIZED LEARNING DATA. WE ADDED ONE NEW CLIENT IN 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR. THE BRIGHTWAYS STUDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM USERS INCLUDE:BRIGHTWAYS SMS CUSTOMERS ([NAME], [CURRENT YEAR], [CURRENT ENROLLMENTS COUNT])AK-TRAILSALASKA HOMESCHOOLBRIGHTWAYS GLOBAL ACADEMYBRISTOL BAY BOROUGHFAIRBANKS BEST HOMESCHOOLFASTTRACK, 2023-24IDITAROD AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT / IDITAROD DISTANCE LEARNING CENTER, 2023-24RAVEN HOMESCHOOL, 2023-24UPSTREAM LEARNING, COPPER RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT, 2023-24YAKUTAT SCHOOL DISTRICT, 2023-24OUT ONGOING GOAL IS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF, UNDERSTANDING OF, AND SUPPORT FOR ROBUST WEBS OF SUPPORT FOR YOUTH AND THE EDUCATORS THAT SERVE THEM. WE CARRY ON WITH JOY WITH THIS MISSION IN OUR HEARTS AND IN OUR DAILY EFFORTS TO ENGAGE AND SUPPORT ALL YOUTH.Expenses $1,269,396 · revenue $1,081,507
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in September, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 30, 2026 | February 15, 2027 | Not due yet |
| 2024 | September 30, 2025 | February 16, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | September 30, 2024 | February 17, 2025 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 45-0492824
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (509(a)(2))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2005
- Accounting year ends
- September
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Education (B03)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $1,297,302
- Income (IRS master file)
- $1,149,604
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | September 2025 | $1,149,604 | $1,444,408 | $1,297,302 | XML |
| 990 | September 2024 | $1,182,781 | $1,319,844 | $1,661,263 | XML |
| 990 | September 2023 | $1,488,865 | $1,445,675 | $1,765,984 | XML |
| 990 | September 2022 | $1,079,364 | $975,836 | $1,637,605 | IRS |
| 990 | September 2021 | $938,141 | $946,904 | $1,533,955 | IRS |
| 990 | September 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | September 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 45-0492824).
Questions about BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING
- What is the EIN of BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING is 45-0492824.
- Is BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2005.
- Are donations to BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending September 30, 2026) is due February 15, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended September 2025.
- Who is the principal officer of BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 names JENNIFER LUTEY.
- Who are the officers and directors of BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING?
- The 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 lists 6 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $91,840 (JENNIFER LUTEY, Executive Dir.).
- How much revenue does BRIGHTWAYS LEARNING have?
- On its 990 for the year ended September 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $1,149,604, expenses of $1,444,408 and total assets of $1,297,302 at year end.
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