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Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc

EIN 31-1255886 · Elkhart, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN ELKHART COUNTY BY INSPIRING GENEROSITY

Income
$51.3 million
Spending
$43.3 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
33
Volunteers
74
Highest pay
$323,800, president

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 21 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $39.9 million spent. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY, INC. (THE "FOUNDATION") IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF INDIANA. ESTABLISHED IN 1988, THE FOUNDATION EXISTS TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO MAKE CHARITABLE GIFTS THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN ELKHART COUNTY, ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS WITH CHARITABLE GIVING THROUGH THE MANAGEMENT OF BOTH ENDOWED AND NON-ENDOWED FUNDS, PRIMARILY WORKING WITH DONORS AND GRANTEES WITH TIES TO THE COUNTY.GRANTS FROM RESTRICTED FUNDS ARE ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS ESTABLISHED IN THE RESPECTIVE GOVERNING FUND AGREEMENT. MOST OF THESE GRANTS ARE TO LOCAL TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS OR MUNICIPALITIES AND SPAN A WIDE ARRAY OF CHARITABLE CAUSES, INCLUDING ARTS AND CULTURE, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, SCHOLARSHIPS, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.THE FOUNDATION ALSO MAINTAINS AN UNRESTRICTED FUND. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRIMARILY USES THE UNRESTRICTED FUND TO SUPPORT ITS THREE FOCUS AREAS IN SERVICE TO THE COUNTY: CAREER PATHWAYS, KIDS & FAMILIES, AND PLACEMAKING. WHILE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THIS WORK IS RESPONDING TO GRANT APPLICATIONS, SPECIFIC AREAS OF EMPHASIS WITHIN THE FOCUS AREAS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN WHICH THE FOUNDATION IS PROACTIVELY ALLOCATING DOLLARS TO HELP ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS (REFERRED TO AS "INITIATIVE WORK").CAREER PATHWAYS: THIS GROUP OVERSEES THE FOUNDATION'S SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS AND ALSO SERVES AS THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE LILLY ENDOWMENT, INC. COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP. THE INITIATIVE WORK IS STILL BEING CONCEPTUALIZED.KIDS & FAMILIES: THE INITIATIVE WORK, KNOWN AS BUILDING STRONG BRAINS, ELKHART COUNTY'S EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVE, INVOLVES WORKING WITH A COALITION OF PARTNERS TO SHIFT THE EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM TOWARDS BETTER OUTCOMES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE AREAS OF MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH, QUALITY CHILDCARE AND EARLY LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS, AND COMMUNITY AND FAMILY SUPPORTS. PARTNERS IN THE INITIATIVE WORK INCLUDE A CROSS SECTION OF HEALTH, NONPROFIT, CHILDCARE, AND EDUCATION PROVIDERS, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATORS.PLACEMAKING: THIS INITIATIVE, KNOWN AS PUMPKINVINE TRAILS COALITION, IS FOCUSED ON INCREASING THE COUNTY'S TRAIL NETWORK FROM ITS CURRENT 72 MILES TO 130 MILES OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS. IT IS DRIVEN BY THE BELIEF THAT TRAILS PROVIDE AN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RECREATION AND EVERYDAY NEEDS, BUILD BETTER-CONNECTED COMMUNITIES, AND ENHANCE THE OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE WITHIN THE COUNTY. THE INITIATIVE INVOLVES COLLABORATIVE WORK WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS, MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY STAFF, ENTHUSIASTS, CORPORATE CITIZENS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.IN ADDITION TO GRANTMAKING, ONGOING SERVICES THE FOUNDATION OFFERS TO THE COMMUNITY INCLUDE:ACTS OF SERVICE: THIS IS A COMMUNITY SERVICE HUB THAT HELPS MATCH THE NEEDS OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE WILLING HANDS OF INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, WHICH INCLUDES WORKING WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES ON ESTABLISHING/MAINTAINING EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS.THE CENTER FOR NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE: THIS LEADERSHIP OFFERING IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING QUALITY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR NONPROFIT LEADERS IN THE FOUNDATION'S SERVICE AREA. THESE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ARE FOCUSED ON PLANNING, FUNDRAISING, STRATEGIC PLANNING, BOARD DEVELOPMENT, AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. THE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ARE GEARED SPECIFICALLY TO NONPROFIT LEADERS TO ASSIST THEM IN ADVANCING THEIR MISSIONS.

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 November 6, 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 March 1989.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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