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Otsego Community Foundation

EIN 38-3216235 · Gaylord, MI

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

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

What it says it does

ACTIVATE GENEROSITY FOR A STRONG COMMUNITY. THIS IS DONE BY BUILDING ENDOWMENTS, AWARDING GRANTS AND CONVENING LEADERS.

Income
$3.6 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
5
Volunteers
79
Highest pay
$75,220, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 66% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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, 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 (3)
  1. $334,317 spent. DONOR CENTERED FUND MANAGEMENT - INCLUDES DONOR ADVISED FUNDS. THE FOUNDATION WORKS WITH DONORS WHO WANT TO ENGAGE IN LOCAL PHILANTHROPY. THE FOUNDATION HELPS TO FIND PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS THAT ALIGN WITH THEIR OBJECTIVES AND DISTRIBUTE GRANTS ACCORDINGLY. FUND FOR THE COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT INCLUDES FIELD OF INTEREST AND UNRESTRICTED FUNDS. THE FOUNDATION WORKS TO AWARD GRANTS FROM THESE FUNDS TO MAKE THE MOST IMPACT ON THE EVER-CHANGING NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE THE COMMUNITY.
  2. $491,687 spent. COMMUNITY DRIVEN PHILANTHROPY -PROACTIVE AND RESPONSE PROGRAMING TO MEET THE EVER-CHANGING NEEDS AND CAPITALIZE ON OPPORTUNITIES. UTILIZING FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY THIS PROGRAMMING INCLUDES THE COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM (ANNUAL COMPETITIVE GRANT CYCLE), COMMUNITY CHOICE GRANTS (OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY TO NOMINATE AND SELECT RECEIPTS), CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVES (ORGANIZATIONS WORKING WITH A CONSULTANT OR REQUESTING FUNDS THAT SUPPORT THEIR SKILLS AND STRUCTURE AS AN ORGANIZATION), AND HIGH IMPACT PARTNERS (ORGANIZATIONS COMMITTED TO PURSUING THE COMMUNITY'S GREATEST OPPORTUNITIES AND ADDRESSING THE MOST CRITICAL CHALLENGES).
  3. $261,941 spent. THE DISASTER RESPONSE FUND (DRF) OF THE FOUNDATION WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE A CENTRALIZED OPPORTUNITY FOR DONORS TO INVEST IN DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS AND A SUPPORT MECHANISM FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS RESPONDING TO CRISIS. THE FOUNDATION'S GOAL IS TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE NONPROFIT, GOVERNMENT, PHILANTHROPIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO ACCELERATE RECOVERY FOR A THRIVING, RESILIENT, AND EVEN STRONGER GAYLORD.THE DRF AWARDS GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ADDRESSING IMMEDIATE RELIEF, SHORT-TERM RECOVERY, AND LONG-TERM REBUILDING. OUR LOCAL NONPROFITS CONTINUE TO DEMONSTRATE INCREDIBLE RESILIENCE, INGENUITY, AND TENACITY AS THEY INCREASE AND ADAPT THEIR PROGRAMS TO MEET THE NEEDS HEIGHTENED BY THE DISASTERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 2025.

    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 July 1995.

    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: Oregon Community Foundation (Portland, OR), EIN 23-7315673. 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.