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Wayne County Indiana Foundation Inc

EIN 35-1406033 · Richmond, IN

Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PRIVATE PHILANTHROPIC GIVING, TO ENHANCE THE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY, AND TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE WAYNE COUNTY, INDIANA, AREA NOW AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Income
$11.6 million
Spending
$5.4 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
8
Volunteers
44
Highest pay
$147,828, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 54% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    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 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. $2.8 million spent. GRANTMAKING: THE WAYNE COUNTY FOUNDATION ADMINISTERS 394 FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY WITH A WIDE RANGE OF ORGANIZATION-SPECIFIC, DONOR DIRECTED, FIELD OF INTEREST, AND UNRESTRICTED GRANTS. THESE GRANTS SERVE TO ENHANCE AND IMPROVE COMMUNITY LIFE, ADDRESS IDENTIFIED HUMAN SERVICE NEEDS, SUPPORT CULTURAL, SOCIAL, HISTORIC AND EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS, AND ENCOURAGE BROAD BASED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. IN EVERY CASE, THEY ARE LEVERAGED THROUGH WAYNE COUNTY'S VIBRANT COMMMUNITY OF NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS.
  2. $536,874 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS: THE WAYNE COUNTY FOUNDATION ADMINISTERS 145 SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO HELP QUALIFIED STUDENTS CONTINUE THEIR POST SECONDARY ACADEMIC STUDIES AT COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES AND TRADE SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTY, THROUGHOUT THE STATE, AND ACROSS THE REGION. IN ADDITION TO DIRECT SUPPORT FOR THOSE STUDENTS SELECTED, THE FOUNDATION'S SCHOLARSHIPS SERVE TO ENCOURAGE ALL STUDENTS TO DO WELL IN THEIR STUDIES. FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS INCLUDE AWARDS FOR SPECIFIC COURSES OF STUDY AT IDENTIFIED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, AS WELL AS A NUMBER OF LESS RESTRICTIVE AWARDS TO SUPPORT GENERAL STUDIES.
  3. $439,906 spent. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS OR PROVIDES A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS THAT REPRESENT SPECIFIC INITIATIVES TO HELP MOVE THE COMMUNITY FORWARD. THESE INCLUDE A NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS TO HELP BUILD CAPACITY IN THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT COMMUNITY; FOUNDATION-DIRECTED INITIATIVES TO HELP PROMOTE WOMEN'S PHILANTHROPY AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT; AND FORWARD WAYNE COUNTY, A COLLECTIVE-IMPACT STYLE APPROACH TO BETTER ALIGNING COMMUNITY RESOURCES IN SUPPORT OF SPECEFIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.

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 October 13, 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? Caution.

    Its 2009 filing told the IRS that the organization has closed.

    Source: Form 990-N (e-Postcard) filings, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 19, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1979.

    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 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.