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Nonprofit · EIN 81-0519843

NINEPIPES MUSEUM OF EARLY MONTANA

Tax-exempt · CHARLO, MT 59824

Financials

$312K$198K2023$315K$186K2024$305K$201K2025
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of NINEPIPES MUSEUM OF EARLY MONTANA by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2025990$305,051$200,975$104,076$1,045,972$6,117$1,039,855
December 31, 2024990$315,022$186,084$128,938$942,541$4,274$938,267
December 31, 2023990$311,614$197,649$113,965$810,020$3,036$806,984
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$168,215
of which government grants
$31,500
Membership dues
$17,890
Program service revenue
$28,146
Investment income
$14,584
Net gain from sales of assets
$9,712
Net income from fundraising events
$38,527
Net income from sales of inventory
$55,579
Other revenue
$94,106

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$0
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$29,192
Other salaries and wages
$72,271
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$113,812
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Accounting fees
$1,085
Depreciation
$11,497
Program services (functional)
$167,551
Management and general (functional)
$33,424

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$942,541
Total assets, end of year
$1,045,972
Total liabilities, end of year
$6,117
Net assets, end of year
$1,039,855
Land, buildings and equipment
$227,055
Publicly traded securities
$132,046
Net assets without donor restrictions
$1,006,418
Net assets with donor restrictions
$33,437
Gross receipts
$408,934
Employees
11
Volunteers
18
Year formed
1998
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 December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
LAUREL J CHEFFEXECTIVE DIRECTOR40$29,192
SEAN CHEFFDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
LAUREL BUD CHEFF JRDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
LAURA SHARPDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
DOUG STEVENSDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
TONY HARWOODVice President
Trustee or director
1$0
DR STEPHEN CHEFFDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
ED GANNONDirector
Officer
5$0
MILLIE WHITTAKERSecretary
Officer
1$0
WAYNE SCHILEPresident
Officer
1$0
TONY HARWOODVice President
Officer
1$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 11 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
LAUREL J CHEFFEXECTIVE DIRECTOR40$30,492
SEAN CHEFFDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
LAUREL BUD CHEFF JRDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
LAURA SHARPDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
DOUG STEVENSDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
MARIE CACAO LMFTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
DR STEPHEN CHEFFDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
ED GANNONDirector
Officer
5$0
MILLIE WHITTAKERSecretary
Officer
1$0
WAYNE SCHILEPresident
Officer
1$0
TONY HARWOODVice President
Officer
1$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 11 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
LAUREL J CHEFFEXECTIVE DIRECTOR40$29,974
SEAN CHEFFDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
LAUREL BUD CHEFF JRDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
LAURA SHARPDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
DOUG STEVENSDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
ROD WAMSLEYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
DR STEPHEN CHEFFDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
ED GANNONVice President
Officer
5$0
MILLIE WHITTAKERSecretary
Officer
1$0
STEVE LOZARPresident
Officer
1$0
TONY HARWOODTreasurer
Officer
1$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
69316 US HIGHWAY 93, CHARLO, MT 59824-9789
In care of
% LAUREL A CHEFF
Principal officer (990 for 2025)
LAUREL J CHEFF
Signed the 990
LAUREL J CHEFF, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Phone
(406) 644-3435
Return prepared by
GAGE ACCOUNTING PC

Mission

THE NINEPIPES MUSEUM OF EARLY MONTANA WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1997. THE MUSEUM'S GOAL IS TO COLLECT, IDENTIFY,AND DISPLAY PHYSICAL OBJECTS OF ART AND CULTURE OF EARLY LIFE MONTANA AS IT RELATES TO THE FLATHEAD RESERVATION AND EARLY MONTANA. THE MUSEUM OFFERS AN EXTENSIVE EXHIBIT OF WESTERN ART, ARTIFACTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS TO EDUCATIONAL GROUPS, LOCAL RESIDENTS, AND AREA VISITORS.

990 for the year ended December 31, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • OUR PURPOSE IS TO DISCOVER, MEMORIALIZE, PRESERVE, AND PROTECT THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE FLATHEAD RESERVATION AND EARLY MONTANA. IS IS DESIGNED FOR THE ENRICHMENT, EDUCATION, AND RECREATION OF LOCAL RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO OUR VALLEY.
    Expenses $167,551 · revenue $290,467

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 December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026990 on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
81-0519843
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
1998
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$1,045,972
Income (IRS master file)
$408,934

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2025$305,051$200,975$1,045,972XML
990December 2024$315,022$186,084$942,541IRS
990December 2023$311,614$197,649$810,020XML
990December 2022$235,835$220,933$700,043IRS
990December 2021–––IRS
990December 2020–––IRS
990December 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 81-0519843).

Questions about NINEPIPES MUSEUM OF EARLY MONTANA

What is the EIN of NINEPIPES MUSEUM OF EARLY MONTANA?
The employer identification number (EIN) of NINEPIPES MUSEUM OF EARLY MONTANA is 81-0519843.
Is NINEPIPES MUSEUM OF EARLY MONTANA tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1998.
Are donations to NINEPIPES MUSEUM OF EARLY MONTANA tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does NINEPIPES MUSEUM OF EARLY MONTANA 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 NINEPIPES MUSEUM OF EARLY MONTANA due?
The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did NINEPIPES MUSEUM OF EARLY MONTANA last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
Who is the principal officer of NINEPIPES MUSEUM OF EARLY MONTANA?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names LAUREL J CHEFF.
Who are the officers and directors of NINEPIPES MUSEUM OF EARLY MONTANA?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 11 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $29,192 (LAUREL J CHEFF, EXECTIVE DIRECTOR).
How much revenue does NINEPIPES MUSEUM OF EARLY MONTANA have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $305,051, expenses of $200,975 and total assets of $1,045,972 at year end.

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