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Woody Williams Foundation

EIN 06-1840409 · Louisville, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO HONOR, RECOGNIZE, AND SERVE GOLD STAR FAMILIES AND THE LEGACY OF THEIR LOVED ONES WHO HAVE PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE BY PURSUING THREE FOCUSED PROGRAMS: GOLD STAR FAMILIES MEMORIAL MONUMENTS, OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
8
Volunteers
285
Highest pay
$71,954, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 12 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 2024, 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 (3)
  1. $1.1 million spent. GOLD STAR FAMILIES MEMORIAL MONUMENTS (GSFMMS): GSFMMS PROVIDE A PLACE OF PERMANENCE INTENDED TO DEMONSTRATE TO GOLD STAR FAMILIES THAT THEIR COMMUNITY CARES FOR THEM AND HONORS THEIR ENDURING SACRIFICE WHILE ALSO HONORING THEIR LOVED ONES WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE WHILE SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE GSFMMS HELP TO ESTABLISH AND STRENGTHEN GOLD STAR FAMILY COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION THROUGH EVENTS HELD AT EACH MONUMENT LOCATION. THESE ACTIVITIES HELP TO EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE PRICE OF FREEDOM AND ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. 2024 METRICS: OVER 170 COMMUNITIES IN ALL 50 STATES AND ONE US TERRITORY WITH 141 GSFMMS COMPLETED/DEDICATED AND AN ADDITIONAL 47 GSFMMS IN PROGRESS.
  2. $118,275 spent. GOLD STAR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH: IN ADDITION TO EACH GOLD STAR FAMILIES MEMORIAL MONUMENT LOCATION, THE FOUNDATION IS FOCUSED ON KEEPING COMMUNITIES ENGAGED THROUGH SPONSORING AND HOSTING OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND EVENTS. THESE EVENTS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GOLD STAR FAMILIES TO COME TOGETHER, HONOR THEIR LOVED ONES, AND BUILD A COMMUNITY-BASED SYSTEM OF SUPPORT AND AWARENESS. 2024 METRICS: 30+ EVENTS, 71K + ATTENDEES, AND 4,500+ GOLD STAR FAMILY MEMBERS DIRECTLY ENGAGED.
  3. $2,861 spent. EDUCATION: AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR MISSION AT THE WOODY WILLIAMS FOUNDATION IS FOCUSED ON PROVIDING LIVING LEGACY SCHOLARSHIPS TO GOLD STAR FAMILIES AND ADVOCATING FOR THEIR EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS. THE GOLD STAR LIVING LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO GOLD STAR FAMILY MEMBERS SEEKING EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS INCLUDING SKILLED TRADE EDUCATION AS WELL AS PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION WORKS WITH PARTNERING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND PRIVATE ENTITIES TO ADDRESS ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF GOLD STAR FAMILIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2013 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on September 15, 2014.

    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 October 2014.

    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.

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