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International Forest of Friendship Inc

EIN 45-2675231 · Atchison, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

A LIVING, GROWING ARBORETUM SERVING AS A MEMORIAL DEDICATED TO THE WORLD HISTORY OF AVIATION AND SPACE. IT IS A UNIQUE TRIBUTE TO AVIATORS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE AS THEY PROMOTE THE MOTTO OF THE NINETY-NINES "WORLD FRIENDSHIP THROUGH FLIGHT." TREES IN THE FOREST REPRESENT ALL 50 US STATES AS WELL AS THE 35 COUNTRIES WHERE MEMBERS OF THE NINETY-NINES RESIDE. SEVERAL TIMES EACH YEAR. THE FLAGS OF THSES STATES AND COUNTRIES ARE DISPLAYED THROUGHOUT THE FOREST, FILLING IT WITH VIBRANT COLOR. EACH YEAR, NEW HONOREES ARE INDUCTED INTO THE FOREST, AND PLAQUES BEARING THEIR NAMES ARE EMBEDDED ALONG THE WALKWAYS THAT WIND AMONG THE TREES. THE FOREST IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

Income
$134,019
Spending
$71,553
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 48%
Employees
0

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 47% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 61% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 December 31, 2025, 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 (2)
  1. $32,161 spent. THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS THE FOREST INCLUDING A POND AND RESTROOMS. THIS INCLUDES LAWN AND TREE CARE, CLEANING, REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE.
  2. $14,823 spent. EACH YEAR THERE IS A WEEKEND EVENT THAT INCLUDES A CELEBRATION CEREMONY AT THE FOREST AND THE INDUCTION OF HONOREES. HONOREES INCLUDE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE DEDICATED SERVICE, LEADERSHIP, FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT TO OTHERS TO ACHIEVE AVIATION GOALS. WINDING THROUGH THE FOREST IS MEMORY LANE HONORING THOSE WHO HAVE, OR STILL ARE, CONTRIBUTING TO ALL FACETS OF AVIATION AND AEROSPACE. IT IS A FIVE-FOOT WALK AND EMBEDDED IN THE CONCRETE WALK ARE GRANITE PLAQUES ENGRAVED WITH THE NAMES OF OVER 1,200 HONOREES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2012.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.