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The Oaks Collaborative

EIN 46-5021845 · Auburn, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair55 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO COLLABORATE WITH LOCAL CHURCHES AND MINISTRIES TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES THAT CULTIVATE MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE LIVES OF COLLEGE STUDENTS TO CONNECT THEM TO CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH, TO BE EQUIPPED TO GROW, AND TO BE SENT OUT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 62%
Employees
7
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$101,347, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 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 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 53% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (religion, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 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 September 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. $363,997 spent. THE OAKS RETREAT IS A 3 DAY RETREAT USED TO EQUIP FRESHMEN TO BE ROOTED IN CHRIST, TO BRANCH OUT IN MINISTRY AND TO BEAR FRUIT ON AUBURN UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS THROUGH HIS POWER AND FOR HIS GLORY.
  2. $29,246 spent. THE CHIMES RETREAT IS A RETREAT FOR INCOMING UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, SHELTON STATE AND STILLMAN COLLEGE FRESHMEN WITH THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS AND CONNECTING WITH CHURCHES AND MINISTRIES BEFORE STEPPING FOOT ON CAMPUS.
  3. $60,276 spent. THE ARCH RETREAT IS A RETREAT FOR INCOMING UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA FRESHMEN WITH THE PURPOSE OF FOSTERING MEANINGFUL CONNECTION AMONG FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS AND SENDING A NEW GENERATION OF BELIEVERS INTO UGA'S CAMPUS TO REFLECT CHRIST AND EXEMPLIFY WHAT IT MEANS TO ENTER BY THE NARROW GATE.
  4. $937,871 spent. OTHER RETREATS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on August 15, 2018 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on August 15, 2018.

    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 September 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 October 2019.

    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.