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Order of the Founders & Patriots of America

EIN 13-6183074 · Franklin, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceGood71 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORDER OF THE FOUNDERS AND PATRIOTS OF AMERICA (THE ORDER) HAS THE OBJECTIVE OF PROMOTING EDUCATIONAL, HISTORICAL AND PATRIOTIC PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON THE FOUNDERS OF OUR COUNTRY (THE EARLIEST COLONIAL SETTLERS, STARTING WITH THE FOUNDING OF JAMESTOWN IN MAY 1607 AND FOR A PERIOD OF 50 YEARS THEREAFTER) AND THE PATRIOTS WHO ADHERED TO THE CAUSE OF INDEPENDENCE DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. IN PARTICULAR, THE ORDER SEEKS TO DISCOVER, DOCUMENT AND PRESERVE RECORDS, DOCUMENTS AND THE HISTORY OF THOSE FOUNDERS AND PATRIOTS. THROUGH ITS PUBLICATIONS AND OTHER PROGRAMS, THE ORDER SEEKS TO EDUCATE THE AMERICAN PUBLIC ABOUT THE CHARACTER, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND HEROISM OF THE FOUNDERS AND PATRIOTS OF AMERICA, THEREBY ALSO PROMOTING PATRIOTISM.

Income
$155,365
Spending
$114,940
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
13.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 41%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$3,050, registrar general

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

Strong: 90 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 71 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 27 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $10,039 spent. THE ORDER PUBLISHES A BI-ANNUAL MAGAZINE THE BULLETIN WHICH CONTAINS INFORMATION OF A PATRIOTIC AND HISTORICAL NATURE. IN RECENT YEARS, THE ORDER PUBLISHED TWO STOUT VOLUMES OF HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH TOTALING OVER 1000 LINES DATING BACK TO 1607, CONCERNING THE FOUNDERS AND PATRIOTS OF OUR NATION.
  2. $42,139 spent. THE ORDER PROVIDES GRANTS TO VARIOUS NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT PROJECTS OF HISTORIC AND PATRIOTIC SIGNIFICANCE. THE ORDER ALSO FUNDS AWARDS TO RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS IN OUR NATIONS ARMED FORCE ACADEMIES.
  3. $45,209 spent. THE ORDER HOLDS AN ANNUAL MEETING OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS AT WHICH THE MEMBERSHIP MAKES DETERMINATIONS ABOUT HOW BEST TO FURTHER THE PATRIOTIC AND HISTORICAL MISSION OF THE ORDER. THIS INCLUDES OUR CHARITABLE WORK RELATED TO SUPPORTING PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS, EDUCATION, EXCELLENCE IN GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH, AND PATRIOTISM.
  4. $15,659 spent. OTHER SUPPORTING SERVICES TO FURTHER THE TAX-EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORDER.
  5. OTHER SUPPORTING SERVICES TO FURTHER THE TAX-EXEMPT 15659. 0. 42951.

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 April 1972.

    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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