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The Portage Foundation

EIN 34-1176817 · Ravenna, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PORTAGE FOUNDATION INSPIRES, IMPACTS, AND ENGAGES THE PORTAGE COUNTY COMMUNITY BY ENSURING PATHWAYS OF ENDURING SUPPORT TO MEET LOCAL NEEDS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN CONNECTING DONORS WITH RECIPIENTS, FOSTERING MEANINGFUL GIVING THAT STRENGTHENS OUR COMMUNITY.

Income
$527,427
Spending
$331,246
Spent on programs
55%
Reserves
2 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 69%
Employees
3
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$48,760, executive director

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: 54 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    55% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 31 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: 95 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    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 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. $182,099 spent. DONOR SERVICESTHE PORTAGE FOUNDATION MANAGES MORE THAN 75 FUNDS ESTABLISHED BY INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS, AND ORGANIZATIONS TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS THROUGH BOTH DONOR-ADVISED AND DISCRETIONARY GRANTMAKING. FUND OPTIONS INCLUDE UNRESTRICTED, FIELD OF INTEREST, DONOR ADVISED, SCHOLARSHIP, DESIGNATED, AND NONPROFIT AGENCY FUNDS. ASSETS ARE PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED WITH OVERSIGHT FROM AN INVESTMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO ENSURE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF GRANTMAKING AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SERVES AS A RESOURCE HUB, CONNECTING DONORS WITH QUALIFIED NONPROFITS IN PORTAGE COUNTY, SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY, AND CONDUCTING DUE DILIGENCE TO ENSURE ALL BENEFICIARIES ARE IRS-RECOGNIZED CHARITIES. SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE FUND STATEMENTS, GRANT EVALUATIONS, PLANNED GIVING SUPPORT, AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND DOCUMENTATION OF ALL CONTRIBUTIONS AND GRANTS. THE FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE IN DONOR SERVICE AND TO HELPING DONORS ACHIEVE THEIR PHILANTHROPIC GOALS.
  2. COMMUNITY GRANTMAKINGTHE PORTAGE FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXCELLENCE IN SUPPORTING LOCAL COMMUNITIES, PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, AND DONORS. THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE GRANTMAKING PROGRAM, THE FOUNDATION FUNDS A WIDE RANGE OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, ALLOCATING DISCRETIONARY GRANTS THROUGH OPEN AND COMPETITIVE APPLICATION CYCLES. GRANT PRIORITIES ARE GUIDED BY IDENTIFIED COMMUNITY NEEDS AND SERVICE GAPS TO ENSURE MEANINGFUL IMPACT. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION ENGAGES DONORS AND FUNDING PARTNERS TO CO-INVEST IN BOTH GRANT AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM GRANTED MORE THAN 40 AWARDS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS OF ALL AGES. ALL GRANTS ARE SUBJECT TO THOROUGH DUE DILIGENCE TO CONFIRM PROPER USE OF FUNDS AND TO EVALUATE THE OUTCOMES OF OUR INVESTMENTS.
  3. PORTAGE COUNTY DISASTER RELIEF FUNDTHE PORTAGE FOUNDATION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PORTAGE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, ESTABLISHED THE PORTAGE COUNTY DISASTER RELIEF FUND TO PROVIDE A TRUSTED VEHICLE FOR COLLECTING AND DISTRIBUTING DONATIONS DURING TIMES OF TRAGEDY OR NATURAL DISASTER. THE FUND WAS ACTIVATED IN THE SPRING OF 2024 IN RESPONSE TO A LOCAL TORNADO, ENABLING DIRECT GRANT SUPPORT TO AFFECTED VICTIMS. THIS INITIATIVE REFLECTS THE FOUNDATION'S ROLE AS A PATHWAY FOR MOBILIZING COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN TIMES OF URGENT NEED.

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 June 1976.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: The Foundation (Houston, TX), EIN 92-0742101. 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.