The Optimist Club of Cape Girardeau
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
TO SUPPORT YOUTH PROGRAMS OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
- Income
- $49,227
- Spending
- $44,609
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 (3)
- $6,170 spent. BINGO - MEMBERS WORK TO RUN A BINGO PROGRAM ON THE THIRD FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH TO RAISE FUNDS TO COVER THE COST OF THE MANY YOUTH PROGRAMS THAT THE CLUB SPONSORS
- $471 spent. FAIR STAND - CLUB MEMBERS WORK A STAND AT THE SEMO DISTRICT FAIR IN CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. MEMBERS SELL BEVERAGES AND ALL PROCEEDS ARE SPLIT WITH THE FAIR BOARD. PROFITS THE CLUB RECEIVES ARE USED TO SPONSOR YOUTH EVENTS IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI.
- CHRISTMAS TREE LOT - THE CLUB SELLS CHRISTMAS TREES IN THE CAPE GIRARDEAU AREA. AREA YOUTH VOLUNTEER TO SELL CHRISTMAS TREES. PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF CHRISTMAS TREES ARE USED TO SPONSOR YOUTH ACTIVITIES IN THE SOUTHEAST MISSOURI AREA.
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 October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on February 15, 2020 for not filing returns for three years. The IRS now lists it as tax-exempt again.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.