Passes our checks

Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation

EIN 26-3091147 · Lincoln, NE

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

What it says it does

THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THIS FOUNDATION IS TO EDUCATE CHILDREN AND PARENTS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER SAFETY AND AWARENESS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 12.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15
Income fell 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 15
57% 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

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (public safety and disaster relief, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
11 of 10 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
0 of 5
Reports that it does not keep 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.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$312,979 spent. The Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation (JCMF) experienced many accomplishments during 2021. An average of 100 Rotary clubs from across the United States (plus several outside of the US) participate in Josh the Otter. In the local Nebraska area of Omaha and Lincoln, Josh the Otter is included as part of the preschool, kindergarten and elementary schools. There are approximately 275,000 children who participate In Josh the Otter through Rotary club efforts. Over 450,000 Josh the Otter books have been distributed over the last (almost) 14 years; averaging 35,000 per year. We expect to distribute approximately 50,000 over this next year as demand increases. 88 Mascot suits are utilized in Josh the Otter programs in US, Canada and Australia.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2008.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.