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Optimist International

EIN 43-0443279 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyCautionRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceNot ratedToo small or too little detailImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BY PROVIDING HOPE AND POSITIVE VISION, OPTIMISTS BRING OUT THE BEST IN YOUTH, OUR COMMUNITIES AND OURSELVES.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$3.6 million
Employees
35
Volunteers
1,055
Highest pay
$175,382, executive director

Source: Form 990 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 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate

Governance

This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.

Source: Form 990 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 (1)
  1. $2.5 million spent. OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL IS AN ASSOCIATION WHICH PROVIDES OPERATIONAL SUPPORT TO APPROXIMATELY 2,000 OPTIMIST CLUBS AROUND THE WORLD DEDICATED TO "BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN YOUTH." ADULT VOLUNTEERS JOIN OPTIMIST CLUBS TO CONDUCT POSITIVE SERVICE PROJECTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AIMED AT PROVIDING A HELPING HAND TO YOUTH. WITH THEIR UPBEAT ATTITUDE, OPTIMIST CLUB MEMBERS HELP EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE THE BEST THAT THEY CAN BE. EACH OPTIMIST CLUB DETERMINES THE NEEDS OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN ITS COMMUNITY AND CONDUCTS PROGRAMS TO MEET THOSE NEEDS. EVERY YEAR, OPTIMISTS CONDUCT ROUGHLY 65,000 SERVICE PROJECTS AND SERVE WELL OVER FIVE MILLION PEOPLE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. 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)(4) social welfare 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? 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1958.

    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.