Passes our checks

Foundation First

EIN 27-4379476 · Fredericksbrg, VA

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

What it says it does

TO UNIFY OUR COMMUNITY TO PROMOTE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO RESOURCES FOR ALL CHILDREN BIRTH TO FIVE.

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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

Reserves
4 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20
It owes 72% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
99% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

Independent board
25 of 25
18 of 18 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.
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

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

Programs described in its return (2)

$4.4 million spent. READY REGION PROGRAMS - WITH STEADY INVESTMENT AND BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FROM VIRGINIAS GOVERNORS AND LEGISLATURE, LOCAL SMART BEGINNINGS HAVE BROUGHT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LEADERS TOGETHER TO COLLABORATE ON PRIORITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN SINCE 2005. BUILDING FROM THIS ASSET, READY REGIONS BRINGS UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS OF COORDINATION, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT TO EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN EVERY COMMUNITY IN THE COMMONWEALTH.
$454,591 spent. INFANT & TODDLER SPECIALIST NETWORK (ITSN) - FOUNDATION FIRST IS A BENEFICIARY THE VIRGINIA INFANT & TODDLER SPECIALIST NETWORK THROUGH THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SUPPORTS THEM BY BEING THEIR REGIONAL OFFICE IN OUR AREA. OUR DEDICATED INFANT & TODDLER SPECIALIST NETWORK INTERNAL STAFF AIMS TO SERVE INFANTS, TODDLERS, AND TWO-YEAR-OLDS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 June 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 June 2011.
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 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.