Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation

What it reported doing in 2024

The colossal mountain carving of crazy horse (tasunke witco c.1840-1877) riding his steed out of the granite of the black hills (he sapa) gesturing forward as he proclaims, "my lands are where my dead lie buried," will be approximately 641 feet long and 563 feet high when complete. Crazy horse's completed face currently stands 87 feet and 6 inches high. Comparisons to other famous landmarks provide perspective; for example, the statue of liberty is 305 feet tall, the Washington monument is 554 feet and 7 inches high, and the great pyramid of giza in egypt stands 455 feet tall. Current carving efforts focus on the horse's mane, the top of crazy horse's head, and the right shoulder. The left hand has been largely finished, along with much of the left forearm, as well as tremendous progress along the whole length of the left arm on the backside of the carving. The horse's mane will take time given its sheer magnitude - roughly 32,000 square feet of surface area to be carved. A large tower crane has been installed, facilitating carving. The mountain crew uses labor-intensive techniques for this delicate phase of carving. Many of the ongoing changes on the monumental sculpture are visible from the visitor center, which is about one mile away. Crazy horse memorial is an active mountain carving site and a modern wonder of the world. At first it may seem that the great carving is the whole point of crazy horse memorial foundation. The carving is certainly central as a marvel of landscape, art, and engineering, but the shared vision to honor and preserve the culture of american indians involves even more. Crazy horse memorial foundation is even more than an enduring tribute; it is a living memorial, educating all who encounter it. The educational and cultural programs and activities of crazy horse memorial foundation's indian museum of north america, native american and educational cultural center, and crazy horse memorial university exemplify the memorial's educational and humanitarian purpose. The indian museum of north america is home to an extraordinary collection of art and artifacts reflecting the diverse histories and contemporary cultures of native americans throughout north america. The museum was officially dedicated on may 30, 1973, and it has grown since its humble beginnings. Exhibits are currently chosen from over 14,000 accessioned pieces of art and artifacts representing hundreds of native cultures throughout north america. The indian museum of north america's cultural programs come alive through its exhibits, native artists, music, dance, and numerous educational opportunities for visitors of all ages. Native artists, national and local native performers, and lecturers of various backgrounds and disciplines offered cultural programs during the 2025 summer season. The visiting public can actually experience three museums of crazy horse memorial. The mountain carving gallery and the ziolkowski family life museum compliment the indian musuem of north america sharing the full story of the memorial. Crazy horse memorial is committed to the past, present, and future of native nations. The commitment to the future is specifically realized by the establishment of crazy horse memorial university, which was rebranded in 2025 from the indian university of north america. The overarching goals of crazy horse memorial university include engaging students in a native- focused academic experience and community demonstrating the vitality of the native american people and providing the necessary student support to increase college persistence and college completion rates of native american students. Then university's first academic program commenced in the summer of 2010 in a newly constructed instructional and residential facility. The university is a place where higher education, internship experiences, and post-secondary skills and resources are provided to native youth guiding them in successfully completing their educational goals

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 49%; rating input score 49
• Program expense ratio: 59%; rating input score 59
• Fundraising efficiency: $3.7 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 14; 14th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 93.3%; rating input score 93; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 5 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 83
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 70.1%; rating input score 70; 14th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 88.5%; rating input score 88; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 24.2%; rating input score 85; 85th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 14.12; rating input score 94; 94th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 93; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 16.9%; rating input score 6; 6th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 3.2% per year; rating input score 100; 27th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 6.4% per year; rating input score 100; 55th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 6.9% per year; rating input score 100; 48th percentile among comparable filings