Passes our checks

Ernest L Arbuckle - Florida Scholarships Tr

EIN 45-6600158 · Wheeling, WV

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

What it says it does

See Schedule O

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (education, 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 55% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
81% of spending went to programs.

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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

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.
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

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

Programs described in its return (2)

$86,375 spent. The Trust worked with the individuals named to serve as the Scholarship Committee and with the Polk Education Foundation to publicize the availability of scholarships and to determine awards. The Trustee continued to provide funds for scholarship awards to eleven individuals in 2025.
Part 111, Line 1 - Description of Organizations Primary Mission: The Organization is a West Virginia charitable trust, established under, and governed by the terms of, the Ernest L. Arbuckle Trust (the Trust) for the benefit of graduates of high schools in Polk County, Florida who enroll as full time students at an accredited four year baccalaureate college or university located in the State of Florida. The organization provides benefits in the form of scholarship awards to or for the benefit of individuals. The class of eligible individuals includes graduating seniors and graduates of accredited high schools who have regularly attended religious services and have been active in a youth ministry.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2013.
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.