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Trail Blazers Foundation

EIN 27-3734229 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE TRAIL BLAZERS FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO POSITIVELY IMPACTING THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS FROM COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED OR MARGINALIZED WITH A FOCUS ON WHERE YOUTH LIVE, LEARN, AND PLAY.

Income
$857,580
Spending
$820,043
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 65%
Employees
0
Volunteers
859

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 73% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% 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 June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 12 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

    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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 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 (5)
  1. $500,000 spent. LIVE GREENER GRANTS, LEARN GRANTS, AND PLAY GRANTS PROVIDE CASH GRANTS TO NONPROFITS IN OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON THAT CONNECT YOUTH TO THE ENVIRONMENT, EDUCATION AND SPORT/PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. IN JUNE 2025, 34 ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF $500,000.
  2. $102,600 spent. THE TRAIL BLAZERS FOUNDATION'S TAKE IT TO THE COURT FOR EDUCATION PROGRAM PROVIDES GRANTS TO SCHOOLS ACROSS OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON IN SUPPORT OF THEIR ACADEMIC, ART, ATHLETIC, OR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025, THE TRAIL BLAZERS GRANTED $102,600 TO 13 SCHOOLS.
  3. $90,300 spent. THE 50/50 RIP CITY RAFFLE ENGAGES VOLUNTEERS TO SELL RAFFLE TICKETS TO TRAIL BLAZERS FANS AT HOME GAMES AT MODA CENTER WITH NET PROCEEDS SUPPORTING LOCAL NONPROFIT PARTNERS AND OTHER TRAIL BLAZERS FOUNDATION PROGRAMS.
  4. $53,000 spent. THE RACIAL EQUITY PROJECT FUND COLLECTS AND DISTRIBUTES CRITICAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS TO HIGH QUALITY GRASSROOTS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WORKING WITH YOUTH AND FOCUSED ON CAPACITY BUILDING. IN 2024/25, THESE PARTNERS INCLUDED WORD IS BOND AND Y.O.U.T.H.
  5. $38,280 spent. VARIOUS DONATIONS TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT ALIGN WITH FOUNDATION'S MISSION AND POSITIVELY IMPACT LOCAL COMMUNITIES

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 February 2011.

    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.