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Passes our checks

Recognizegood the Foundation

EIN 45-4099813 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair64 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RECOGNIZEGOOD IS AN AUSTIN-BASED 501(C)3 NONPROFIT THAT PROVIDES THE MEANS FOR ANYONE TO ILLUMINATE, CONNECT WITH AND LEARN FROM GREAT EXAMPLES OF GOODNESS.

Income
$399,376
Spending
$252,254
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
17.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$30,000, program director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 70% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    6 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 June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $96,209 spent. ETHICS IN BUSINESS AWARDS: WE CONDUCTED OUR ANNUAL ETHICS IN BUSINESS AWARDS LUNCHEON IN PERSON. THERE WERE OVER 400 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE, INCLUDING LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY. WE WERE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE LARGE AND SMALL BUSINESSES, INDIVIDUALS AND NONPROFITS FOR OUTSTANDING ETHICAL PRACTICES USING STUDENTS FROM CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY TEXAS AS RESEARCHERS.
  2. $53,374 spent. LEGENDS: WE WERE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE 10 INDIVIDUALS AT AUSTIN CITY HALL WITH SPECIAL GUEST CITY COUNCILPERSON PAIGE ELLIS. WE RECEIVED OVER 90,000 VOTES AND DONATED $20,000 TO PARTICIPANTS' CHARITIES OF CHOICE.
  3. $28,234 spent. LIGHTHOUSES: WE WERE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE 10 CIVIC SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONS, DONATING TO CHARITIES OF EACH GROUP'S CHOICE.
  4. $35,203 spent. PRINTING WITH PURPOSE: PROVIDING RECOGNITION PRODUCTS VIA STUDENT 3D PRINTING FOR VOLUNTEERS, DONORS AND SUPPORTERS AT LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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? 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 June 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 April 2012.

    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.