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Four Mounds Foundation

EIN 42-1265303 · Dubuque, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PRESERVE THE NATURAL, ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORICAL RESOURCES OF THE FOUR MOUNDS ESTATE, EDUCATE WITH HANDS-ON OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH AND COMMUNITY, AND SERVE THROUGH LEADERSHIP, STEWARDSHIP, AND INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 59%
Employees
23
Volunteers
132
Highest pay
$68,345, program manager

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 39% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $331,949 spent. THE FOUNDATION WORKS TO PRESERVE AND RESTORE A HISTORIC TRACT OF LAND IN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE. THE FOUNDATION WORKS TO IMPROVE THE ACCESSIBILITY OF THE PROPERTY TO A DIVERSE POPULATION. THIS IS A LAND TRUST, PROTECTING OVER 120 ACRES IN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER WILDLIFE REFUGE.
  2. $37,247 spent. THE FOUNDATION CONDUCTS A YOUTH PROGRAM UNDER WHICH DISADVANTAGED YOUTH USE THE PROPERTY FOR A SUMMER YOUTH DAY CAMP SPONSORED IN PART BY THE CITY OF DUBUQUE. THE CAMP SERVED 150 YOUTH THROUGH THE SUMMER DAY CAMP IN 2024.
  3. $585,251 spent. THE FOUNDATION PARTNERS ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH OUR HEART - HOUSING EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION TRAINING - PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM IS FOR TROUBLED YOUTH WHO ARE MENTORED BY FACULTY TO LEARN JOB SKILLS. THIS PROGRAM SERVED APPROXIMATELY 62 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH 2 LARGE RESTORATION PROJECTS AND MULTIPLE SMALL PROJECTS TO ASSIST ELDERLY WITH STAYING IN THE HOME SAFELY. STUDENTS PROVIDED IMPROVEMENTS FOR OVER 35 HOMES IN 2024 TO MAKE A SAFER LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR ELDERLY HOMEOWNERS.

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 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 2024.

    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 December 1986.

    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.

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.