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Coast Guard Foundation Inc

EIN 04-2899862 · Stonington, CT

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE COAST GUARD FOUNDATION: - SUPPORTS COAST GUARD MEMBERS THROUGH EDUCATION, MORALE, WELLNESS, AND RECOGNITION PROGRAMS THAT HONOR THEIR SERVICE TO AMERICA. - EMPOWERS COAST GUARD SPOUSES WITH GRANTS TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE COLLEGE DEGREES OR PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS, GIVING THEM PERSONAL FULFILLMENT AND BOOSTING THE FAMILY'S FINANCIAL STABILITY. - INVESTS IN COAST GUARD CHILDREN THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS THAT MAKE THE DREAM OF COLLEGE AND TECHNICAL SCHOOL A REALITY, ENRICHMENT GRANTS THAT HELP THEM ATTEND CAMPS, AND COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST A COAST GUARD PARENT IN THE LINE OF DUTY DURING AN OPERATIONAL MISHAP. - ASSISTS COAST GUARD FAMILIES THROUGH TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE WHEN A COAST GUARD MEMBER IS INJURED OR DIES IN THE LINE OF DUTY OR WHEN A FAMILY MEMBER DIES, AND EMERGENCY RELIEF WHEN THEY SUFFER A SIGNIFICANT LOSS DURING A NATURAL DISASTER.

Income
$17.3 million
Spending
$12.6 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
23
Volunteers
112
Highest pay
$425,582, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    28 of 29 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $3.4 million spent. EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL TO A STRONG FUTURE FOR THE COAST GUARD COMMUNITY, BUT THE RISING COSTS OF SCHOOL AND OTHER BARRIERS MAKE IT INACCESSIBLE TO MANY. WE HELP MAKE HIGHER EDUCATION POSSIBLE THROUGH VARIOUS INITIATIVES INCLUDING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CHILDREN OF ACTIVE DUTY, RETIRED, OR ACTIVE RESERVE MEMBERS; 100% COVERAGE OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN OF COAST GUARD MEMBERS WHO DIE IN OPERATIONAL, LINE OF DUTY SERVICE; AND, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR COAST GUARD MEMBERS AND THEIR SPOUSES. WE ALSO PROVIDE SUPPORT GRANTS TO THE U.S. COAST GUARD ACADEMY, A TOP-TIER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION TRAINING THE FUTURE LEADERS OF THE COAST GUARD.
  2. $3.0 million spent. MORALE AND WELL-BEING OF COAST GUARD MEMBERS IS CRUCIAL - NOT ONLY SO THEY REMAIN ALWAYS READY FOR THEIR ASSIGNMENTS, BUT SO THEY CAN MAINTAIN THEIR OWN PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING WHILE AT SEA OR STATIONED IN REMOTE AREAS. WE PROVIDE MORALE AND WELL-BEING SUPPORT THROUGH VARIOUS INITIATIVES INCLUDING: PROVIDING EXERCISE, SPORTS, AND OUTDOOR RECREATION EQUIPMENT AT COAST GUARD STATIONS AND ON BOARD CUTTERS; FUNDING RECREATION SPACES IN COAST GUARD COMMUNITIES; OFFERING MORALE SUPPORT THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH COAST GUARD LEADERSHIP; AND, PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR COAST GUARD CHAPLAINS FOR MENTAL RESILIENCE PROGRAMMING AND SUICIDE PREVENTION.
  3. $800,319 spent. WHEN COAST GUARD FAMILIES FACE DIFFICULT TIMES, THE COAST GUARD FOUNDATION PROVIDES THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO RECOVER. WHEN NATURAL DISASTERS STRIKE, THE FOUNDATION OFFERS COAST GUARD MEMBERS IMMEDIATE GRANTS THROUGH OUR DISASTER RELIEF AND RESPONSE PROGRAM TO HELP THEM REBUILD. WHEN COAST GUARD FAMILIES OR UNITS FACE THE INJURY OR LOSS OF AN ACTIVE DUTY MEMBER, OR THE DEATH OF A FAMILY MEMBER, WE ARE THERE WITH IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL AND MORALE SUPPORT THROUGH OUR TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
  4. $1.2 million spent. PUBLIC AWARENESS:THE COAST GUARD FOUNDATION SERVES AS A GOODWILL AMBASSADOR FOR THE SERVICE BY MAKING THE PUBLIC AWARE OF THE BENEFITS OF A STRONG COAST GUARD. WE CELEBRATE COAST GUARD MEMBERS THROUGH OUR TRIBUTE EVENTS, GOLF TOURNAMENTS, AND OUR RUN TO REMEMBER, A WORLDWIDE MOVEMENT WHERE INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATE IN ROAD RACES, MEMORIAL WALKS, AND OTHER TYPES OF FITNESS EVENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 1986.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.