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Adirondack Community Foundation Inc

EIN 16-1535724 · Lake Placid, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ADIRONDACK FOUNDATION (THE "FOUNDATION") IS A COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND A TAX-EXEMPT, NOT-FOR-PROFIT, AUTONOMOUS, PUBLICLY SUPPORTED, PHILANTHROPIC INSTITUTION FORMED FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:1. TO SERVE AS A PERMANENT COLLECTION OF ENDOWED AND OTHER FUNDS BENEFITING ADIRONDACK COMMUNITIES, THEIR INSTITUTIONS AND RESIDENTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO SUPPORT FOR ARTS AND HUMANITIES, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, LIBRARIES, RECREATION, SOCIAL SERVICES AND YOUTH PROGRAMS THROUGH GRANT MAKING AND OTHER PROGRAMS.2. TO DO ANY OTHER LAWFUL ACT INCIDENTAL OR CONNECTED WITH THE FOREGOING PURPOSES OR IN ADVANCEMENT THEREOF THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE FOUNDATION'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND APPROVED BY THE FOUNDATION'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

Income
$21.6 million
Spending
$12.8 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
81.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
15
Volunteers
43
Highest pay
$180,726, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 81.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 50% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $11.7 million spent. ADIRONDACK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PLAYS A UNIQUE ROLE IN THE REGION. 1) IT CONNECTS PEOPLE, IDEAS, AND RESOURCES TO IMPROVE LIVES AND EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES. 2) STEWARDS CHARITABLE ASSETS AND DONATIONS FROM GENEROUS DONORS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO CARE ABOUT THE AREA AND WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. 3) MAKES GRANTS TO NONPROFITS, SCHOOLS, ORGANIZATIONS AND MUNICIPALITIES. 4) IS COMMITTED TO BEING SINCERE COLLABORATORS AND AMBASSADORS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE ADIRONDACKS; ACCOUNTABLE TO COMMUNITIES, DONORS, PARTNERS, AND EACH OTHER; AND CATALYSTS FOR POSITIVE CHANGE. THE FOUNDATION STEWARDS MORE THAN 300 CHARITABLE FUNDS; AND MAKES GRANTS IN THE AREAS OF BASIC NEEDS, EDUCATIONAL PATHWAYS, ECONOMIC VITALITY, ENVIRONMENTS, ARTS, AND CULTURE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

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

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1997.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 2026.

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