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Lakeland Foundation

EIN 34-1369714 · Kirtland, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LAKELAND FOUNDATION CREATES RELATIONSHIPS AND SOLICITS RESOURCES THROUGHOUT NORTHEAST OHIO AND FOCUSES THEM ON SUPPORTING LAKELAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE'S MISSION "TO PROVIDE QUALITY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY." THE FOUNDATION HAS SUPPORTED THE COLLEGE IN THE AREAS OF 1) STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS, 2) FACULTY DEVELOPMENT AND TEACHING ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS, AND 3) TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES AND SUPPORT TO BENEFIT STUDENTS AND/OR FACULTY.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$955,233
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
6.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
0
Volunteers
90
Highest pay
$72,174, executive director

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: 78 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 92 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    36 of 36 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 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 (1)
  1. $827,781 spent. ALTHOUGH PROGRAM EXPENSES ARE COMBINED, THE FOUNDATION HAS SUCCESSFULLY SUPPORTED THE COLLEGE IN THE THREE AREAS DESCRIBED BELOW: 1) STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS - THE FOUNDATION'S GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT NO AREA STUDENT IS DEPRIVED OF A LAKELAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE EDUCATION FOR FINANCIAL REASONS. WHILE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT GRANTS AND LOANS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS, THIS ASSISTANCE IS NOT AVAILABLE TO ALL STUDENTS AND ALMOST NEVER PAYS THE FULL COST OF AN EDUCATION. MANY OF CC'S STUDENTS ARE OFTEN ALREADY WORKING BUT SIMPLY, NO MATTER HOW HARD THEY TRY, LACK SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO PAY THE ENTIRE COST OF TUITION AND BOOKS. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE TO THESE STUDENTS TO BRIDGE THE GAP. 2) FACULTY DEVELOPMENT AND TEACHING ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS - A DISTINGUISHING MARK OF LCC'S FACULTY IS THE QUALITY OF THEIR TEACHING AND COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION IN THE CLASSROOM AND COMMUNITY. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THESE EFFORTS BY AWARDING FACULTY GRANTS FOR NEW COURSE/PROJECT DEVELOPMENT, COLLABORATIONS WITH COMMUNITY AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. 3) TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES AND SUPPORT TO BENEFIT FACULTY AND/OR STUDENTS - TRAINING AND DEVELOPING STUDENTS FOR THE "KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY" CANNOT TAKE PLACE WITHOUT REGULAR ACCESS TO STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE AND THE INTERNET. STUDENTS WHO CAN BARELY AFFORD TUITION OFTEN DO NOT HAVE RESOURCES FOR A COMPUTER THAT IS REQUIRED FOR CLASSWORK, ESPECIALLY ONLINE COURSES. THE FOUNDATION AWARDS STUDENT GRANTS TO HELP THEM PURCHASE EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE, AND MAINTAIN INTERNET CONNECTIONS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO PROVIDES FUNDING FOR CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES SO THAT STUDENTS AND FACULTY HAVE ACCESS TO AND EXPERIENCE ON STATE-OF-THE-ART EQUIPMENT SPECIFIC TO THE MANY PROGRAMS OF INSTRUCTION THE COLLEGE OFFERS.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1982.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 2026.

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