Optimist International
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
To benefit children by providing hope and positive vision and bringing out the best in our youth, our community, and ourselves.
- Income
- $42,237
- Spending
- $38,698
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)
- $3,050 spent. Back To School Program. the Club conducts various fund raisers to provide funds to serve the youth in our community. Funds were donated to six low income elementary schools in Bay County for purchase of needed school supplies
- $1,500 spent. Special Days Camp. The Club conducts various fund raisers to provide funds to serve the youth in our community. Special Days Camp is a camp for children with cancer as well as a separate camp for siblings of children with cancer
- $5,000 spent. The Club conducts an annual Fund Raiser to support the local Santa House which is open to the public. Volunteers from Santa House assist with the event and receive a portion of the profits.
- $22,023 spent. Other programs services described in Schedule O
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1958.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.