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Esa Foundation

EIN 23-7099403 · Fort Collins, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceFair53 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO DEVELOP PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES OF VOLUNTEERS, PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO ESTABLISHED PROGRAMS THAT SERVE HUMAN NEEDS, AND PRODUCE NEW PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

Income
$866,096
Spending
$400,344
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
8 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 53%
Employees
0
Volunteers
1,034
Highest pay
$67,600, international treasurer/controller

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: 83 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.0 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 54% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% 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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $155,257 spent. ESA FOUNDATION (THE FOUNDATION) IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED TO PROMOTE CONTINUING EDUCATION AND ACTIVITIES THAT MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD COMMUNITY. THE PRIMARY PROGRAM OF THE ESA FOUNDATION IS ITS ENDOWMENT PROGRAM WHICH GRANTS SCHOLARSHIPS, VIA AN EXTENSIVE APPLICATION AND JUDGING PROCESS, TO WORTHY INDIVIDUALS.
  2. $141,635 spent. THE SECONDARY PROGRAM OF THE ESA FOUNDATION IS PROVIDING FUNDING TO OTHER 501 C 3 CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS. THE FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY MEMBERS OF THE ESA FOUNDATION AND LIKE AMOUNTS ARE THEN PROVIDED TO THE 501 C 3 DESIGNATED ORGANIZATIONS. THEREFORE, REVENUES AND EXPENSES OF THIS PROGRAM ARE THE SAME AND ALL EXPENDITURES ARE GRANTS TO OTHER 501 C 3'S.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on October 15, 2021 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on October 15, 2021.

    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? Worth knowing.

    Recognized by the IRS in November 2025. It is too new to have a track record.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Ecmc Foundation (Minneapolis, MN), EIN 41-1990628. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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