Passes our checks

Kiwanis Club of Greater Merced Foundation

EIN 27-5573377 · Merced, CA

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

What it says it does

NONE

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
28 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 9.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 28% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
18 of 25
3 of 3 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.
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 September 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 (1)

$750,240 spent. OUR MISSION IS TO ENHANCE RECREATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH IN MERCED COUNTY BY REVITALIZING KIDDIELAND AT APPLEGATE PARK. THIS INITIATIVE AIMS TO CREATE A SAFE, CLEAN, AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES CAN GATHER, PLAY, AND BUILD LASTING MEMORIES.BY UPGRADING THE KIDDIELAND FACILITIES, WE SEEK TO:MODERNIZE AGING INFRASTRUCTURE TO MEET CURRENT SAFETY STANDARDS AND ACCESSIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.FOSTER A SENSE OF COMMUNITY PRIDE BY PRESERVING A BELOVED LOCAL LANDMARK AND MAKING IT A DESTINATION FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE.PROVIDE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO RECREATION, ESPECIALLY FOR UNDERSERVED FAMILIES WHO MAY LACK OTHER OPTIONS FOR SAFE OUTDOOR PLAY.THIS PROJECT WILL NOT ONLY IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MERCED COUNTY YOUTH BUT ALSO SUPPORT BROADER GOALS OF PUBLIC HEALTH, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND ECONOMIC VITALITY THROUGH INCREASED PARK USAGE AND TOURISM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 November 2015.
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.