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Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee

EIN 46-4201429 · Soap Lake, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Friends of the Lower Grand Coulee develops and funds initiatives that further the preservation and enjoyment of the Lower Grand Coulee's extraordinary geology, history, and creative assets.

Income
$43,993
Spending
$37,385
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
31 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
0
Volunteers
40

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

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 December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 8 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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 (5)
  1. $528 spent. James Building: General building and grounds maintenance for the year including sweeping, weeding, vacuuming, wall brushing, sidewalk de-icing etc. Coordination with project feasibility report i.e. RCDI Workshop and grantwriting assistance. Moving forward with upgrades to the historic James Building a multi purpose community gathering center in a key midtown Main Avenue location. Plans are well along to transform the building into an Arts and Natural Science Discovery Center. 2025 brought continued support from the professional and local community moving forward with strategic use, feasibility, and sustainability planning, design including community presentation including a well attended design charrette for valuable input focused on community priorities and needs. Architectural design, Structural Engineering design, Civil Engineering design, Landscape Architectural design and Professional Land Surveying* services *(completed in 2023 but utilized in 2025 for critical design layout) were enlisted to accomplish design and engineering needs. Ongoing drainage challenges have been addressed by engineered drainage plans beginning with establishment of surveyed property boundary lines. Storm water infiltration, detention, and overflow conveyance system plans have been submitted and approved by the local jurisdiction. Storm water infiltration and detention strategies have been successfully implemented and tested. Abandoned buried heating oil tank was decommissioned via bioremediation and repurposed for on site detention and natural infiltration. New cast-in-place foundation walls, entry drive, and courtyard patio have been installed including allowances for future exterior lighting and landscape irrigation. Volunteer hours for design include professional architectural, structural, landscape architectural, civil designs addressing permit approval coordination and construction administration: 52 hours. Non-professional support: 52 hours of Volunteer labor hours for exterior maintenance.
  2. $3,000 spent. Education Funding. Fund teacher classroom grants, after school programs, outdoor educational programs, art education and other similar activities that directly or indirectly support knowledge and appreciation of the area, and/or will tie the communities of the Lower Grand Coulee together. Areas of education that may be supported include science, technology, math, literacy, and social studies. Grand Coulee by Road: explanations of landmarks between Soap Lake and the Grand Coulee Dam. This would include both well known and forgotten historical landmarks, with little known historical facts when available. The purpose would be to entertain and educate both locals and travelers while preserving history and returning relevance to both the lower and upper Grand Coulee.
  3. $19,684 spent. Soap Lake Food and Folk Festival was a free, full-day music event taking place at a public park in downtown Soap Lake. Attendance at the second festival on June 21, 2025 was estimated at between 300 and 700 people. The event was fully funded by donations and organized by 16 volunteers who spent about 680 hours on planning, fundraising, and managing event activities.
  4. $7,354 spent. Creative District Administration: This is a Washington State program that helps communities thrive by strengthening the creative sector, turning arts and culture into economic opportunities, diversifying local economies, and enhancing quality of life for residents and visitors.
  5. $2,924 spent. Arts Education and Experiences Fund. Funds performing arts, art education, hands-on experiences, and other similar activities that directly or indirectly support knowledge and appreciation of the area for families and/or will tie the communities of the Lower Grand Coulee area. Funded an online learning program with the Beauty of Bronze educational project.

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 February 2015.

    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.