Van Wert County Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE VAN WERT COUNTY FOUNDATION IS TO TRANSFORM QUATILTY OF LIFE BY INSPIRING, FULFILLING, AND SUPPORTING PHILANTHROPY IN AN EFFORT TO CREATE A WELL-RESOURCED AND THRIVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $12.7 million
- Spending
- $5.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- -18.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 42%
- Employees
- 16
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $153,398, ceo
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: 65 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 54% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 182% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% 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
Strong: 92 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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
7 of 7Has a 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 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 (6)
- $2.7 million spent. ALLOCATIONS TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS AND TO GOVERNMENTAL UNITS TO FURTHER THE MENTAL, MORAL, INTELLECTUAL, OR PHYSICAL WELFARE AND ADVANCEMENT OF THE CITIZENS OF VAN WERT, OHIO, SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, AND OTHER SUCH AREAS AS DIRECTED BY OUR DONORS. THESE ALLOCATIONS MAY ALSO SUPPORT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES.
- $1.2 million spent. PROVIDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS IN VAN WERT, PAULDING, AND OTHER SURROUNDING OHIO COUNTIES WHERE THE FOUNDATION HAS SIGNIFICANT INVOLVEMENT AND THE ABILITY TO MONITOR QUALIFICATIONS.
- $614,672 spent. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE ARTS THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF THE VAN WERT PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION WHICH BRINGS PERFORMING ARTS ENTERTAINMENT TO VAN WERT COUNTY AT MULTIPLE VENUES IN THE AREA INCLUDING POWERING THE SUMMER MUSIC SERIES IN FOUNTAIN PARK. THE FOUNDATION ALSO PROMOTES THE ARTS FOR VAN WERT AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES IN IT'S SUPPORT OF THE WASSENBERG ART CENTER, A NOT FOR PROFIT COMMUNITY ART CENTER.
- $65,807 spent. COMPLETED APPLICATION FOR ODNR GRANT TO ASSIST WITH FUNDING THE NEXT PHASE OF RENOVATIONS AND UPGRADES TO THE HIESTAND WOODS COMMUNITY PARK.
- $42,206 spent. CONTINUE TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP OF FRANKLIN PARK COMMUMITY PARK INCLUDING REPLACING THE GROUND COVER FOR THE PLAYGRAOUND AREAS.
- $8,890 spent. GREW THE REINVIGORATION OF THE ELEVATE PROGRAM IN YEAR 2 WITH FOUNDATION GRANT SUPPORT AND STAFF TIME AND ENERGY. THE ELEVATE PROGRAM BRINGS NON-PROFIT AND CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP TOGETHER FOR MONTHLY PROGRAMS REGARDING EDUCATION, CURRENT EVENTS OF INTEREST, AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITES.
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
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 December 2024.
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 April 1951.
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.
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