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Optimist International Foundation

EIN 23-7102928 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED IN FEBRUARY 1971, IS A FOUNDATION AND CHARITABLE CORPORATION ESTABLISHED FOR THE GENERAL PURPOSE OF SOLICITING AND RECEIVING GIFTS, DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS OF MONEY AND PROPERTY TO BE USED FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF THE CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS AND ACTIVITIES OF OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL. THE FOUNDATION ALSO ACTS AS A CUSTODIAN AND INVESTMENT MANAGER FOR VARIOUS FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN DONATED TO OR ACCUMULATED BY OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL CLUBS. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
26.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
0
Volunteers
1,204
Highest pay
$126,964, secretary/ executive director

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

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 57% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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 September 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 (4)
  1. $595,471 spent. CHARITABLE, LITERARY, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, WHICH INCLUDE GRANTS TO EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS TO ASSIST WITH PUBLICATION COSTS FOR MAGAZINES AND ARTICLES (WHICH ARE DISTRIBUTED TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CONSTITUENTS), SEMINARS AND TRAINING FOR MEMBERS OF OTHER EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS, GRANT WRITING PROGRAM, INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES AND MATCHING GRANTS.
  2. $241,500 spent. ORATORICAL CONTEST SCHOLARSHIPS: AN ANNUAL SPEECH COMPETITION WITH OVER 5,700 ENTRANTS. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED IN DISTRICT LEVEL CONTESTS IN THE UNITED STATES. TOTAL EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AMOUNTED TO $246,500, ALL OF WHICH WERE SCHOLARSHIPS.
  3. $382,124 spent. CLUB GRANT PROGRAMS: GRANTS FOR MEMBER CLUBS UTILIZED FOR CHARITABLE, LITERARY AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT THE DIRECTION OF THE FOUNDATION IN CONJUNCTION WITH SUPPORT FROM THE MEMBER CLUBS.
  4. $259,996 spent. YOUTH CLUB PROGRAMS: SCHOLARSHIPS TO SUPPORT YOUTH CLUB PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES. TOTAL EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AMOUNTED TO $135,000, ALL OF WHICH WERE SCHOLARSHIPS MADE TO INDIVIDUALS LIVING INSIDE THE UNITED STATES. ESSAY CONTEST SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM: AN ANNUAL COMPETITION FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH APPROXIMATELY 2,558 ENTRANTS. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED TO INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES. TOTAL EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AMOUNTED TO $92,500, ALL OF WHICH WERE SCHOLARSHIPS.COMMUNICATIONS CONTEST FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAM (CCDHH): A PROGRAM THAT AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO DISTRICT WINNERS. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED TO EACH INDIVIDUAL WINNER AND ARE PAYABLE UPON RECEIPT OF THE CORRECT PAPERWORK FROM AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING. TOTAL EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AMOUNTED TO $32,500, ALL OF WHICH WERE SCHOLARSHIPS MADE TO INDIVIDUALS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1971.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.