Editor’s note: E-City Beat continues our series on local NPOs and their publicly available financial information. Sources include https://www.propublica.org/ and https://www.causeiq.com/. ECB will be regularly publishing similar information on such organizations, large and small, in the interest of public transparency.
The information on our blog is gleaned from the most recent 990, audit reports, and other data published and available on propublica.org.
According to the most recent 990 available on propublica.com filed for FY 2024, Helping Hands Great Falls, a local NPO, received $48,654 in revenue and expenses of $125,239.
63% of the revenue, $30,740 went to the Director Carrie Parker’s salary.
The organizations primary exempt purpose is listed on their 990 as: “PROVIDE FOOD, CLOTHING, COMPASSION AND HOSPITALITY TO OUR NEIGHBORS IN THE GREAT FALLS AREA AT NO COST. WE MEET OUR NEIGHBOR’S BASIC HUMAN NEEDS WITH DIGNITY”
Fiscal Year Ending Dec.2024
Extracted Financial Data
Extracted Financial Data from 990-EZ
Revenue $48,654
Expenses $125,239
Net Income (-$76,585)
Net Assets $7,936
| Notable Sources of Revenue | Percent of Total Revenue | |
|---|---|---|
| Contributions | $48,654 | 100% |
| Program Services | $0 | |
| Investment Income | $0 | |
| Net Fundraising | $0 | |
| Sales of Assets | $0 | |
| Net Inventory Sales | $0 | |
| Other Revenue | $0 |
| Assets/Debt | ||
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,069 | |
| Total Liabilities | $2,133 | |
| Net Assets | $7,936 |
Compensation
| Key Employees and Officers | Compensation | Other |
|---|---|---|
| Carrie Parker (Director) | $30,740 |
Would like to see this information on all local non-profit organizations.
A Statement from Helping Hands
Here in Montana, we take care of our neighbors.
We’ve recently seen a “news” piece that doesn’t fully reflect how Helping Hands operates, particularly regarding our funding and staff compensation. We’d like to offer some clarity.
Helping Hands runs on a mix of donations, grants, food bank partnerships, and in-kind support. Looking at one piece of that—donations alone—without the full picture can give the wrong impression. Aside from ARPA funding, which the city commission approved, and COVID funding, there is no taxpayer expense. Helping Hands exists because people in Great Falls believe in loving our neighbors.
Like most nonprofits, a portion of our budget goes toward staffing. That’s what allows us to keep our doors open, coordinate volunteers, build partnerships, and show up for people day in and day out. When viewed as part of our full budget, these costs are modest and responsible.
We believe in being good stewards of what’s been entrusted to us. We’re always willing to share how our resources are used and answer honest questions.
But more than anything, we want our community to know what their support makes possible.
Because of our caring community, this past year Helping Hands has:
• Provided tens of thousands of meals
• Purchased and distributed over 56 tons of food
• Helped neighbors move toward housing and stability
• Offered a place where people are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect
This work isn’t about numbers alone. It’s about people. It’s about showing up when it matters.
We’re grateful to be part of a community that believes in taking care of one another. And we remain committed to doing this work with integrity, transparency, and heart.
— Helping Hands board
Kenton Miller
Carl Donovan
Pat Sponheim
Carrie Parker
Shannon Bender
William Rima
Mauri Novak
Carol Haverlandt
Dona Shehan
Hunter Laws
Parker Harris
Monica Brown
https://www.givegreatfalls.org/organizations/helping-hands-of-great-falls
This is a very stupid “news article”. They have one paid employee and 30K is nothing. Critics like Rick Tryon make over $100K to do nothing for GF residents and no one posts about it. Definitely see Helping Hands post for the needed context for this article.
Rick is wrong on this one. $30000 is nothing
I invite people to volunteer just one Saturday from noon to three and see the tireless and gracious love and caring from all the volunteers, but especially the love and caring emanating from the Director Carrie Hill Parker. She does yeomen’s work for the pittance of $30k. Helping Hands is a barrier free food pantry, giving love, food, clothing and hygiene items with graciousness and without judgement. These people are truly the epitome of the Creators Love for those in need.
More “pot stirring” from the usual suspect.
Have you looked at any non-profit’s numbers? You realize that this organization has ONE staff person, who is likely hired on as a “part-time employee” and most definitely works 40 hours a week OR MORE as a part of this non-profit, right? These people feed HUNDREDS of people in Great Falls every single week, and do it on a shoe string budget. Carrie Parker not only gives her time, but her blood, sweat and tears to the mission of Helping Hands, and anyone who has been there, or interacted with Helping Hands knows that. Why are we picking on the little guys who actually make a difference in our communities? This is absurd and you should be ashamed for posting some vague BS like this. Their net income is -$76,585. Doesn’t get more non-profit than that.