Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 42% 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
THE FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING YOUTH HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN CENTRAL OHIO
- Income
- $2.2 million
- Spending
- $536,536
- Spent on programs
- 42%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 66%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 858
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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 75% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1542% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (2)
- $170,297 spent. APPROXIMATELY SEVENTY FIVE PERCENT OF THE PROCEEDS RAISED EACH YEAR WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZAITONS THROUGHOUT GREATER COLUMBUS THROUGH A GRANT WRITING PROCESS. GRANTS WILL BE EVALUATED ANNUALLY AND NOT AUTOMATICALLY BE RENEWED. GRANTS AWARDED WILL VARY IN AMOUNTS AND ARE DESIGNATED TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT FOCUS ON PEDIATRIC CANCER, CHILDREN'S HEALTH, SAFETY, AND EDUCATION.
- $56,765 spent. THE REMAINING PERCENTAGE WILL BE DESIGNATED FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH HOCKEY IN COLUMBUS. THE FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO ASSISTING THE TEAM TO ENSURE THE GROWTH OF HOCKEY BY DEDICATING ANNUAL FUNDS TO LOCAL HOCKEY INITIATIVES. THESE INITIATIVES WILL BE EVALUATED AND SELECTED ANNUALLY.
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
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 February 2000.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Columbus Foundation (Columbus, OH), EIN 31-6044264. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.