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Friends of Cottonwood Ranch Inc

EIN 20-5255054 · Hoxie, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceWeak43 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE AND HELP PRESERVE THE HISTORIC COTTONWOOD RANCH SITE IN SHERIDAN COUNTY, KANSAS AND PROVIDE OTHER NON PROFIT GROUPS OF SHERIDAN COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREA WITH DONATION OF FUNDS TO ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE TO SERVE NW KANSAS WITH MUSEUMS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OR EVENTS THAT TIE IN WITH THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANTS OF NORTHWEST KANSAS OR MAKE LIVING IN THE AREA BETTER FOR ALL.

Income
$380,344
Spending
$496,951
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
2

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 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 63% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% 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

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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, 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. SEASONAL GUIDED TOURS OF THE HISTORIC COTTONWOOD RANCH
  2. ANNUAL BBQ COOK-OFF HELD AT RANCH SITE IN OCTOBER
  3. WRITER WORKSHOP SEMINAR
  4. $496,951 spent. SEASONAL GUIDED TOURS OF THE HISTORICAL COTTONWOOD RANCH. ANNUAL FUN RAISING AND ENTERTAINING BBQ COOK-OFF HELD AT THE RANCH SITE IN OCTOBER. THE EVENT INCLUDES ON SITE EXIBITS AND EDUCATION ABOUT THE PIONEER WAY OF LIFE IN SHERIDAN COUNTY, KANSAS MAINTAINANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE RANCH SITE. WRITER WORKSHOP
  5. SEASONAL GUIDED TOURS OF THE HISTORICAL COTTONWOOD RANCH. ANNUAL FUN RAISING AND ENTERTAINING BBQ COOK-OFF HELD AT THE RANCH SITE IN OCTOBER. THE EVENT INCLUDES ON SITE EXIBITS AND EDUCATION ABOUT THE PIONEER WAY OF LIFE IN SHERIDAN COUNTY, KANSAS MAINTAINANCE AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE RANCH SITE. WRITER WORKSHOP

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 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 October 13, 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 December 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 July 2022.

    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 October 21, 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.