Passes our checks

Kernels Foundation

EIN 42-1506142 · Cedar Rapids, IA

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

What it says it does

TO CREATE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS FOR THE CITIZENS OF CEDAR RAPIDS AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS.

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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).

Reserves
28 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 8.1 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20
It owes 67% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 31% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15
Income fell 21% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
10 of 10 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10
Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$59,693 spent. SOLICITATION AND COLLECTION OF COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS PROVIDED TO THE CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS AND QUALIFIED CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS OF LINN COUNTY, IA FOR THEIR USE IN CREATING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS.

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

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.
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? 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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending October 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 November 2000.
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.