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United States Optimist Dinghy Association Inc

EIN 23-7136341 · N Kingstown, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceFair52 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE UNITED STATES OPTIMIST DINGHY ASSOCIATION (USODA) WAS FORMED TO INTRODUCE AND EDUCATE CHILDREN ABOUT SAILING. THE OPTIMIST CLASS ARE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE AND ARE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR CHILDREN. THE USODA IS A NATIONWIDE MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION THAT SPONSORS, SACTIONS AND OVERSEES THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ASSOCIATION. THERE ARE OVER 400,000 OPTIMISTS CLASS BOATS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

Income
$326,628
Spending
$290,851
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 84%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$64,992, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 67% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 52 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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

    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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 2024, 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. $81,105 spent. USNT DIRECT EXPENSES - EXPENSES TO OVERSEE USODA RACES/REGATTAS INCLUDING SAFETY AND PROPER REGATTA MANAGEMENT
  2. $50,388 spent. OPTINEWS DIRECT EXPENSES - OPTINNEWS IS THE AWARD-WINING, OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE UNITED STATES OPTIMIST DINGHY ASSOCIATION (USODA). EACH ISSUE REACHES 3,000 TO 4,000 YOUNG AND ACTIVE SAILORS, THEIR FAMILIES AND YACHT CLUBS IN THE UNITED STATES AND NUMEROUS FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
  3. $84,598 spent. REGATTAS AND OTHER EVENTS
  4. $63,183 spent. USNDT DIRECT EXPENSES - EXPENSES TO OVERSEE USODA RACES/REGATTAS INCLUDING SAFETY AND PROPER REGATTA MANAGEMENT
  5. USNDT DIRECT EXPENSES - EXPENSES TO OVERSEE USODA RACES/REGATTAS INCLUDING SAFETY AND PROPER REGATTA MANAGEMENT

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 July 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.