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Community Foundation of St Joseph County Inc

EIN 23-7365930 · South Bend, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To improve the quality of life for the citizens of St. Joseph County and their succeeding generations.

Income
$61.3 million
Spending
$30.1 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
17
Volunteers
61
Highest pay
$330,228, president/ceo

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 51% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 183% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 June 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. $15.9 million spent. Our largest program area is Community Development. As the recipient of a significant grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., the Foundation has been working to implement solutions designed to address the region's attainable housing gap. Some of these solutions include direct investment in transforming and building neighborhoods. Others include the development of a regional land bank and sophisticated lending tools that make it easier for families to purchase homes.
  2. $5.4 million spent. Our second largest program area is Health & Human Services. The Foundation is invested deeply in those organizations who provide safe spaces for vulnerable populations - including the YWCA, St. Margaret's House, the Center for the Homeless, New Day Intake Center, and Hope Ministries. Several initiatives in this area provide increased access to healthcare, including partnerships with The Center for Hospice and HealthLinc. Work in this area also includes Senior Living grants made to LOGAN, REAL Services, and more.
  3. $3.9 million spent. Our third largest program area is Youth and Education. Thanks in part to our 21st Century Scholar Success Initiative, a record number of eligible St. Joseph County students were able to qualify for full tuition assistance in 2025. Our sponsorship of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library reaches nearly 10,000 local children with a new book every month. Our Early Years Count Initiative is continuing to improve outcomes for our county's youngest students. We continue to fund local youth organizations, and we hold more than 65 scholarship funds that grant out close to $1 million annually. Through these initiatives, we hope to build a stronger future for our community by ensuring our youngest members grow into informed, involved citizens.
  4. $2.4 million spent. The rest of the awarded grants were in the areas of Arts, Parks, and Religious Organizations. A few of these projects include support for public media at WVPE (local NPR station) and WNIT (local PBS station), the development of Miracle League Field at Norman Heights Park, and support for the development of a new big cat exhibit at the Potawatomi Zoo.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 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? 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 June 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 May 1974.

    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.