Nonprofit · EIN 81-6016828
MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES
Tax-exempt · BOZEMAN, MT 59717
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2025 | 990 | $9,428,062 | $6,053,061 | $3,375,001 | $47,091,353 | $670,315 | $46,421,038 |
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $7,301,554 | $5,618,518 | $1,683,036 | $42,336,189 | $853,145 | $41,483,044 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $5,426,303 | $4,615,804 | $810,499 | $37,645,468 | $756,493 | $36,888,975 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $2,271,753
- Membership dues
- $544,822
- Program service revenue
- $3,190,042
- Investment income
- $3,456,554
- Net gain from sales of assets
- $2,671,114
- Net income from fundraising events
- -$114,206
- Net income from sales of inventory
- $623,919
- Other revenue
- $509,713
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $0
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Occupancy
- $475,357
- Travel
- $214,665
- Depreciation
- $484,141
- Program services (functional)
- $4,752,473
- Management and general (functional)
- $987,527
- Fundraising (functional)
- $313,061
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $42,336,189
- Total assets, end of year
- $47,091,353
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $670,315
- Net assets, end of year
- $46,421,038
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $6,483,897
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $24,479,667
- Net assets with donor restrictions
- $21,941,371
- Gross unrelated business income
- $3,681
- Gross receipts
- $16,631,767
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 99
- Year formed
- 1965
- 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.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHRIS DOBBS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $0 | $167,394 | $23,590 |
| STEPHANIE DICKSON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| LAURA DORNBERGER | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| CARL NYSTUEN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| AIMEE DENDRINOS | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| DR BROCK TESSMAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLEY FRANKLIN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| CARL GARDINER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ALISON HARMON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| TERRY LEIST | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL MAKARECHIAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| PETER MATHIESON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| DENISE SHEEHY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| SUSANNE MELINE | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSH RITTER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
2 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILLIAM DE LA PENA | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| LENNY TRIEM | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 14 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHRIS DOBBS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $0 | $162,058 | $26,825 |
| STEPHANIE DICKSON | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| LAURA DORNBERGER | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| CARL NYSTUEN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| AIMEE DENDRINOS | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| WADED CRUZADO | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLEY FRANKLIN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| CARL GARDINER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ALISON HARMON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| TERRY LEIST | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL MAKARECHIAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES MCCRAY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| DENISE SHEEHY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| JACOB ZINK | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 18 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | From related orgs | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHRIS DOBBS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Officer | 40 | $0 | $159,526 | $21,103 |
| JAMES MCCRAY | CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| STEPHANIE DICKSON | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| CARL NYSTUEN | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| MELODEE HANES | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| WADED CRUZADO | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| DEAN ADAMS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| AIMEE DENDRINOS | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| LAURA DORNBERGER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| SCOTT FAGIN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLEY FRANKLIN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| CARL GARDINER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| ALISON HARMON | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| PAUL MAKARECHIAN | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| MATT MILLER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| JACOB ZINK | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| DENISE SHEEHY | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| JENNY YOUNGER | TRUSTEE Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- PO BOX 172720, BOZEMAN, MT 59717-2720
- Principal officer (990 for 2025)
- CARL NYSTUEN, PO BOX 172720, BOZEMAN, MT 597172720
- Signed the 990
- CARL NYSTUEN, TREASURER
- Phone
- (406) 994-5275
- Website
- WWW.MUSEUMOFTHEROCKIES.ORG
- Return prepared by
- PINION LLC
Mission
MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES INVITES ALL PEOPLE TO DISCOVER NATURAL SCIENCE AND CULTURAL HISTORY. THE MUSEUM'S EXHIBITS, COLLECTIONS, PROGRAMS, AND RESEARCH CREATE A COMMUNITY RESOURCE THAT BRINGS THE WORLD TO MONTANA AND SHARES THE NORTHERN ROCKIES WITH THE WORLD.
Program accomplishments
- CONSTRUCTION AND PRESENTATION OF PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY EXHIBITS THAT INFORMS THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE RESULTS OF THE MUSEUM'S RESEARCH. THE MUSEUM CONDUCTS RESEARCH AND ACQUIRES AND MAINTAINS COLLECTIONS FOR PUBLICATION, EXHIBITION, AND TEACHING.Expenses $3,170,528 · revenue $2,809,974
- THE MUSEUM DEVELOPS AND PROVIDES EDUCATION PROGRAMS INTERNALLY AND THROUGH OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO STUDENTS.Expenses $555,716 · revenue $201,057
- THE MUSEUM OPERATES A BOOKSTORE, GIFT SHOP, AND CAFE IN THE MUSEUM. BOOKS, SCIENCE KITS, AND OTHER INVENTORY ARE SELECTED WITH CONSIDERATION OF HOW THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE MUSEUM'S MISSION. THE CAFE SERVES MUSEUM VISITORS, MEMBERS, AND STAFF TO SUPPORT THE OVERALL MUSEUM EXPERIENCE. EXPENSES REPORTED ABOVE ON LINE 4C REPRESENT FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES ONLY. AS PRESENTED IN PART IX EXPENSES REPORTED ABOVE ON LINE 4C DO NOT INCLUDE COST OF GOODS SOLD AMOUNTING TO $497,148 AS PRESENTED IN PART VIII, LINE 10B.Expenses $292,709 · revenue $620,238
- THE MUSEUM OFFERS MEMBERSHIPS THAT PROVIDE FREE, UNLIMITED ADMISSION TO THE MUSEUM AND THE PLANETARIUM, DISCOUNTS ON CLASSES, PROGRAMS, FIELD TRIPS, AND STORE MERCHANDISEExpenses $733,520 · revenue $179,011
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 year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | 990 on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 81-6016828
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 1966
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $47,091,353
- Income (IRS master file)
- $16,631,767
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2025 | $9,428,062 | $6,053,061 | $47,091,353 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2025 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2024 | $7,301,554 | $5,618,518 | $42,336,189 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2024 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2023 | $5,426,303 | $4,615,804 | $37,645,468 | XML |
| 990-T | December 2023 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2022 | $9,610,278 | $3,657,804 | $33,964,531 | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2022 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990-T | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2019 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 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 81-6016828).
Questions about MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES
- What is the EIN of MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES is 81-6016828.
- Is MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1966.
- Are donations to MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES 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 MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES 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 MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES 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 MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names CARL NYSTUEN.
- Who are the officers and directors of MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 17 people; 0 received compensation from the organization.
- How much revenue does MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $9,428,062, expenses of $6,053,061 and total assets of $47,091,353 at year end.
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- AMERICAN PRAIRIE FOUNDATION EIN 81-0541893 · last filed 990 for 2024
- YELLOWSTONE FOREVER EIN 47-5427975 · last filed 990 for 2026
- MONTANA HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION EIN 46-6854005 · last filed 990-PF for 2024
- HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF DISTRICT IX INC EIN 81-0350886 · last filed 990 for 2025
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