Optimist International
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE OPTIMIST CLUB OF VAN WERT HAS BEEN PROUDLY SERVING THE VAN WERT COUNTY AREA SINCE 1981. WE ARE COMPRISED OF MEN AND WOMEN DEDICATED TO THE COMMUNITY, FRIENDSHIP, FUN, SERVICE TO YOUTH AND THE PROMOTION OF OPTIMISM AS A WAY OF LIFE. OUR POSITIVE APPROACH, UPBEAT OUTLOOK, AND COMMITMENT TO CREATING A MORE OPTIMISTIC FUTURE FOR KIDS IS WHAT DIFFERENTIATES THE OPTIMIST CLUB OF VAN WERT FROM OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.
- Income
- $23,945
- Spending
- $29,234
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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 (4)
- $4,588 spent. THE AFTER-PROM PROGRAM PROVIDED A WELL CHAPERONED TIME WITH FUN ACTIVITIES FOR 216 YOUTH FROM THREE HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITHIN VAN WERT COUNTY. THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE A DRUG, ALCOHOL, AND SEX FREE ENVIRONMENT FOR A FEW HOURS AFTER THE SCHOOL'S PROM. THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 90-95 VOLUNTEER HOURS UTILIZED.
- $6,000 spent. THE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES A 2,000 SCHOLARSHIP EACH TO THREE HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS, SELECTED FROM THREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THOSE SELECTED EXCELLED IN ACADEMICS AND PROVIDED NEARLY 100 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.
- $1,000 spent. THE CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK IS A PROJECT IN WHICH FOUR VAN WERT ORGANIZATIONS (OPTIMIST CLUB, SERVICE CLUB, CITY PARKS DEPT., AND MAIN STREET VAN WERT) COME TOGETHER TO DECORATE THE FOUNTAIN PARK IN DOWNTOWN VAN WERT WITH AROUND 100 LIGHTED DISPLAYS FOR ALL AND ANYONE TO WALK THROUGH THE PARK AND ENJOY THE DISPLAYS. AFTER SPENDING OVER 400 VOLUNTEER HOURS, THE GROUP HOLDS A FESTIVE EVENT THE NIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING TO HELP MANY PEOPLE AND FAMILIES BEGIN THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. THE LIGHTED DISPLAYS ARE ON EVERY NIGHT FROM THE END OF NOVEMBER TO THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW YEAR.
- $6,752 spent. MISCELLANEOUS PROGRAMS IN THE VAN WERT COMMUNITY TARGETING YOUTH.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(4) social welfare 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? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, 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 September 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 July 1958.
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.
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.