Highpointers Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Highpointers Foundation provides a forum for education about the 50 state highpoints, aids in the conservation of highpoints and their environs, maintains positive relationships with owners of highpoints on public and private property, assists in the care and maintenance of highpoints, and supports public and private efforts to maintain the integrity of and safe access to state highpoints.
- Income
- $29,696
- Spending
- $26,396
- Spent on programs
- 59%
- Reserves
- 31.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 31
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
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
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 96% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (11)
- $10,000 spent. At Baxter State Park surrounding Katahdin in Maine, the Foundation funded two local students as Fellows of the Friends of Baxter State Park to conduct research in the Park near Katahdin. The two students spent the summer of 2025 conducting significant research to support the area surrounding the Highpoint. In addition, the Foundation funded students involved in trail work on Katahdin.
- $953 spent. At Jerimoth Hill in Rhode Island, the Foundation funded 8 new trail signs and benchmark markers, and installed a new bench at the highpoint rock, and installed a wire cable gate across the access lane near the parking area, all in conjunction with state of RI DEM authorities.
- $646 spent. At White Butte in North Dakota, the Foundation funded a new trailhead sign to replace a vandalized one. The Foundation pays for a liability policy each year.
- $1,675 spent. At Mount Sunflower in Kansas, the Foundation funded the installation of two replacement cattle guards that permit entry to the property from the E-W County gravel road, which was damaged due to fire trucks fully laden with water rolling across the original to extinguish a prairie grass fire.
- $393 spent. At Guadalupe Peak in Texas, the Foundation funded a replacement brass plaque for one that went missing from a HPF-installed sponsored bench at the trailhead.
- $271 spent. At Driskill Mountain in Louisiana, the Foundation provided and installed a new sign for the Mount Zion Church at the trailhead, which allows for access for visitors.
- $338 spent. At Charles Mound in Illinois, the Foundation funded a new bench for the owners, as well as signage.
- $500 spent. At Campbell Hill in Ohio, the Foundation funded a sponsorship arrangement with the NADRM museum officials to promote Highpointing and the Club and Foundation.
- $441 spent. At Mount Arvon in Michigan, the Foundation provided a replacement bench at the summit, with a custom brass plaque, and other minor improvements.
- $330 spent. At Hoosier Highpoint in Indiana, the Foundation funded a new bench with a custom brass plaque.
- $68 spent. At Mount Frissell in Connecticut, the Foundation funded summit register materials.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2007.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.