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The Payton Wright Foundation Inc

EIN 33-1204054 · Sarasota, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PAYTON WRIGHT FOUNDATION FINANCIALLY ASSISTS FAMILIES WHO HAVE CHILDREN BEING TREATED FOR CANCER OF THE BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD.

Income
$773,031
Spending
$635,278
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
13.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
30
Highest pay
$80,000, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 14 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $62,763 spent. GAS CARD PROGRAM - ASSISTS FAMILIES CARING FOR A CHILD WITH BRAIN CANCER BY PROVIDING GAS GIFT CARDS. THE NUMBER ONE REQUEST FROM THE HOSPITALS THAT PARTNER WITH THE PAYTON WRIGHT FOUNDATION ARE FOR GAS GIFT CARDS TO HELP THE FAMILY TRANSPORT THEIR CHILD TO AND FROM TREATMENTS.
  2. $82,602 spent. PAYTON'S ANGELS PROGRAM - WHEN A CHILD IS UNDERGOING A LONG HOSPITAL STAY FOR TREATMENT OF THEIR BRAIN TUMOR/CANCER, WE PROVIDE THE HOSPITAL WITH ITEMS TO DELIVER TO THE CHILD TO HELP THEM FEEL A LITTLE MORE AT HOME. THESE ITEMS INCLUDE TOYS, GAMES, ARTS & CRAFTS, STUFFED ANIMALS, HAND MADE HATS AND BLANKETS, COMPUTERS, ETC.
  3. $437,802 spent. FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - FINANCIALLY ASSISTS FAMILIES CARING FOR A CHILD WITH BRAIN CANCER BY PAYING A FAMILY'S BILL(S) SUCH AS RENT/MORTGAGE, PHONE BILL, UTILITIES, CAR PAYMENT, GAS/FOOD/GROCERIES, FUNERAL EXPENSES, ETC. THE FAMILY IN NEED IS IDENTIFIED BY THE PEDIATRIC NEURO-ONCOLOGIST OR PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY SOCIAL WORKER. THE PHYSICIAN OR SOCIAL WORKER WILL SEND THE BILL(S) TO THE PAYTON WRIGHT FOUNDATION WHERE THE FOUNDATION WILL PAY THE BILL DIRECTLY TO THE COMPANY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 September 2008.

    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.