St. Labre Indian School Educational Association
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
St. Labre Indian School Educational Association does not meet the following 6 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 1 (Oversight of Operations and Staff)
Organizations shall have a board of directors that provides adequate oversight of the charity's operations and its staff. Indication of adequate oversight includes, but is not limited to, regularly scheduled appraisals of the CEO's performance, evidence of disbursement controls such as board approval of the budget, fund raising practices, establishment of a conflict of interest policy, and establishment of accounting procedures sufficient to safeguard charity finances.
St. Labre does not meet this Standard because the organization's board of directors does not:
- Receive information about the financial arrangements made with outside fundraising firms and/or consultants hired during the year ended June 30, 2025.
Standard 8 (Program Service Expense Ratio)
Spend at least 65% of its total expenses on program activities.
St. Labre does not meet this Standard because:
- According to its audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025, the organization spent $30,524,006 or 48% of its total expenses on programs.
Standard 9 (Fund Raising Expense Ratio)
Spending should be no more than 35% of related contributions on fund raising. Related contributions include donations, legacies, and other gifts received as a result of fund raising efforts.
St. Labre does not meet this Standard because:
- According to its audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025, the organization's fundraising costs were 55% ($30,762,693) of related contributions, which totaled $55,982,636.
Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.
St. Labre does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization states it does not have an annual report covering activities conducted in 2025.
Standard 17 (Web Site Disclosures)
Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.
St. Labre does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://www.stlabre.org/, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:
- A summary of the organization's 2025 program service accomplishments.
- A roster of the organization's board of directors.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.
St. Labre does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on the organization's website, https://www.stlabre.org/, does not indicate:
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
- And although the organization shares personal information about its donors with others, it does not provide a means (such as a check off box) in its direct mail appeals for donors to opt out of having their information shared.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability: 3
St. Labre Indian School Educational Association meets the remaining 13 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Catholic Tradition by providing quality education which celebrates our Catholic faith and embraces Native American cultures, primarily the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Tribes, so that Native American individuals and communities of Southeastern Montana are empowered to attain self-sufficiency."
Year, State Incorporated:
1946, MT
St. Labre Indian School Educational Association (St. Labre) reports that it provides private Catholic Pre-K-12 education that celebrates its Catholic faith and incorporates and preserves Native American cultures, primarily from the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Indian tribes. Cultural and Native language preservation and revitalization is an organizational priority. The organization states that post-secondary scholarships are provided to graduates for any college, university, trade school or certificate program of their choice throughout their lifetime. A youth group home is available for any Native American child ages 5-17, at no charge to them or their families. Other charitable community assistance is also provided to community members by way of St. Labre's Food Pantry and low-cost thrift store. Vouchers for food, fuel and utilities, emergency medical transportation, and funeral assistance are also available. In addition, St. Labre offers subsidized daycare services to support low-middle income working families in the community.
For the year ended June 30, 2025, St. Labre Indian School Educational Association's program expenses were:
| Instructional | $26,706,622 |
| Youth and family services | $2,041,382 |
| Community Services | $1,776,002 |
| Total Program Expenses | $30,524,006 |
Chief Executive
Curtis Yarlott, Executive Director
Compensation*
$304,307
Chair of the Board
Deborah Russell
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Northern Cheyenne Tribal Member
Board Size
11
Paid Staff Size
236
*2024 compensation, as reported by the organization, includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Telephone appeals, Television, Grant proposals, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Workplace Giving, Cryptocurrency
Fundraising costs were 55% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $55,982,636, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on St. Labre Indian School Educational Association's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025.
Source of Funds
| Contributions | $42,586,563 |
| Legacies and bequests | $11,583,358 |
| Unrealized and realized gain on marketable securities and investments, net | $11,557,000 |
| Other income | $1,879,866 |
| Interest and dividends | $1,847,815 |
| In-kind contributions and grants | $1,327,047 |
| Other investment income | $527,213 |
| Grants, state and federal | $485,668 |
| Annuity contracts funded | $166,624 |
| Total Income | $71,961,154 |
Programs: 48% Fundraising: 48% Administrative: 4%
| Total Income | $71,961,154 |
| Total expenses: | $63,832,117 |
| Program expenses | $30,524,006 |
| Fundraising expenses | $30,762,693 |
| Administrative expenses | $2,545,418 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $8,129,037 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $147,636,741 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $1,840,895 |
| Ending Net Assets | $157,606,673 |
| Total Liabilities | $14,911,233 |
| Total Assets | $172,517,906 |
Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to a change in beneficial interests in trusts ($1,531,060), change in value of annuity liabilities ($304,445), gain on sale of property, plant, and equipment ($6,759), and a change in value of funds held in trust for others (-$1,369).
Note 2: According to St. Labre's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025, the organization received $1,327,047 in contributed goods and services including public service announcements ($1,261,305) and food commodities ($65,742).
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance