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Woodward Development Corporation

EIN 31-1573317 · Mount Vernon, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceFair68 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 30% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT THE PERFORMING ARTS AND THE HERITAGE OF KNOX COUNTY BEGINNING WITH THE RENOVATION, RESTORATION AND OPERATION OF THE WOODWARD OPERA HOUSE AND TO ENGAGE IN ANY LAWFUL ART OR ACTIVITY PERMITTED UNDER THE OHIO REVISED CODE SECTION 1702.1 TO 1202.87 INCLUSIVE.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$942,644
Spent on programs
30%
Reserves
-0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 62%
Employees
0
Volunteers
25

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 486% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    30% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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, 2024, 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 (3)
  1. $280,806 spent. CREATED A COMMUNITY AND INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIP THAT FORMED THE BASIS OF FUNDING A DOWNTOWN HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE 2ND OLDEST THEATER IN THE UNITED STATES - THE WOODWARD OPERA HOUSE CIR 1851.
  2. INITIATED A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR RESTORATION PROJECTED FOR THE 2ND OLDEST THEATER IN THE UNITED STATES - THE WOODWARD OPERA HOUSE CIR 1851, THAT WILL HOUSE A HEALTHY LOCAL FOODS INITIATIVE STORE AND CAFE IN A FOOD DEFICIENT NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL AS ARTS AND CONFERENCE SPACE TO SUPPORT THE WOODWARD ARTS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.
  3. INITIATED A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR RESTORATION PROJECT FOR THE 1885 C.G. COOPER BUILDING THAT WILL HOUSE A HEALTHY LOCAL FOODS INITIATIVE COMMUNITY KITCHEN PROCESSING FACILITY IN A FOOD DEFICIENT NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL AS ARTS AND CONFERENCE SPACE TO SUPPORT THE WOODWARD ARTS AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 April 1998.

    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.

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.