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Optimist International

EIN 23-7007762 · Buena Vista, CO

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Youth Services

Income
$64,143
Spending
$48,017

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 (30)
  1. $22,000 spent. Scholarships for Buena Vista High School graduating seniors to further their education at the college of their choice. Four scholarships were awarded.
  2. $2,250 spent. Back Pack Program. Weekend food provided to kids in low income families (approx 50 kids)
  3. $2,000 spent. Buena Vista HS/MS Band (approx 21 students)
  4. $500 spent. Alpine Orchestra - opportunity to support the growth of approximately 5 student musicians.
  5. $250 spent. Avery Parsons Reading A-Z (reading program for approx 75 students)
  6. $500 spent. BV High School Booster Club - support for approx 100 athletes
  7. $300 spent. BV Cares - support for students and families in need/crisis - approx 10 families
  8. $540 spent. BV High School iFLY STEM Field Trip - support for STEM student field trip - approx 10 kids
  9. $1,000 spent. BV High School Shops - support for the MS/HS wood and metal shop program - approx 100 kids
  10. $190 spent. 6th Grade Conservation Camp Breakfast - provided breakfast for 6th graders during their Spring outdoor learning field trip - approx 70 kids
  11. $500 spent. Hub Livestock Club (4H Camp) - helps to offset camp costs for approx 5 kids
  12. $250 spent. BV Middle School Ice Fishing - helps to provide food and prizes for approx 45 kids
  13. $1,052 spent. Youth Appreciation Week - breakfast, awards, and public recognition for outstanding youth in the community - approx 40 kids
  14. $500 spent. Youth Writing Contest - support for awards - approx 75 kids
  15. $103 spent. Bike 2 School Pancake Breakfast - served breakfast to approx 100 students/parents
  16. $350 spent. BV High School National Art Honor Society - approx 30 kids
  17. $1,300 spent. High Country Fine Arts Association - helped approx 125 students to experience fine arts in Chaffee County
  18. $200 spent. BV Middle School Makerspace Club - provided misc supplies for approx 70 students
  19. $2,000 spent. Salida Circus - provided camp scholarships for approx 25 students
  20. $300 spent. Buena Vista High School After Prom Party
  21. $650 spent. Avery Parsons Elementary School - New Instruments (approx 420 students)
  22. $350 spent. Buena Vista High School Art Program (approx 25 students)
  23. $500 spent. Buena Vista High School Games Donation (approx 280 students)
  24. $200 spent. Buena Vista High School Retail Cart Repairs/Improvements (approx 100 kids)
  25. $1,000 spent. Chaffee County High School Rafting Trip (approx 15 kids)
  26. $1,500 spent. Destination Imagination Global Finals Trip (approx 5 kids)
  27. $2,000 spent. Darren Patterson Christian Academy Middle School Trip (approx 25 kids)
  28. $300 spent. Buena Vista Middle School Positive Behavior Intervention Rewards (approx 220 students)
  29. $500 spent. Toys for Tykes (approx 150 kids)
  30. $1,150 spent. Misc Projects (Cystic Fibrosis, Civics Bee)

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(4) social welfare 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? Caution.

    The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 September 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 1958.

    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.