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Tony Finau Foundation

EIN 47-2111415 · Lehi, UT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION IS BUILT ON A FAMILY DISCOVERED EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE GAME OF GOLF. IT AIMS TO EMPOWER AND INSPIRE YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES TO DISCOVER, DEVELOP, AND ACHIEVE THE BEST OF THEIR GIFTS AND TALENTS THROUGH THE GAME OF GOLF, EDUCATIONAL FUNDING, AND CORE FAMILY VALUES.

Income
$569,429
Spending
$684,715
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
21.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$104,980, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 123% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (6)
  1. $88,500 spent. THE TONY FINAU FOUNDATION MENTORING PROGRAM OFFERS SUPPORT TO A MINIMUM OF ONE PROFESSIONAL GOLFER ANNUALLY, WHO HAS A CONNECTION TO UTAH, ASSISTING THEM IN THEIR EFFORTS TO PURSUE THE PGA OR LPGA TOUR. THIS SUPPORT INCLUDES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO GOLF PRACTICE AND COMPETITION, INCLUDING ENTRY FEES, TRAVEL COSTS, EQUIPMENT PROCUREMENT, AND OTHER REQUISITE MATERIALS. ADDITIONALLY, THE PROGRAM PROVIDES INVALUABLE, NON-MATERIAL SUPPORT THROUGH ACCESS TO TONY FINAU AND HIS NETWORK OF PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS AND COACHES FOR ONGOING MENTORSHIP AND ADVICE. RECIPIENTS OF THE TONY FINAU FOUNDATION MENTORING PROGRAM WILL BE EXPECTED TO ATTEND TONY FINAU FOUNDATION FUNDRAISING EVENTS AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMMING (SCHEDULE PERMITTING) IN HOPES OF HELPING THE NEXT (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) GENERATION OF YOUTH DISCOVER, DEVELOP, AND ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.THE 2024 RECIPIENTS OF THE PROGRAM WERE CONNOR HOWE AND BLAKE TOMLINSON.
  2. $191,592 spent. MAUI FIRE RELIEF - THIS EFFORT WAS IMPLEMENTED AT THE END OF 2023 TO HOST AN EVENT IN EARLY 2024 TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDS FOR THE FAMILIES IN MAUI THAT WERE DISPLACED BY THE WILDFIRES. THE FUNDS FOR THIS PROGRAM WENT TO THREE MAUI BASED ORGANIZATIONS WORKING IN THE BASIC NEEDS, MENTAL HEALTH, AND YOUTH EDUCATION SPACE.
  3. $136,598 spent. TONY FINAU FOUNDATION LITERACY CENTER - WE CONVERTED ONE OF THE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT CENTERS WE PREVIOUSLY DONATED TO INTO A TONY FINAU FOUNDATION LITERACY CENTER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GRANITE EDUCATION FOUNDATION. THE LITERACY CENTER OPENED IN AUGUST 2024 IN WEST VALLEY, UTAH, AND PROVIDES DAILY LITERACY SUPPORT FOR APPROXIMATELY 75-100 CHILDREN THROUGH AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING. THE CENTER ALSO EXPANDED SERVICES TO FAMILIES BY OFFERING DAILY ESL CLASSES FOR PARENTS AND EARLY-LITERACY ACTIVITIES FOR PRE-K CHILDREN. IN ITS FIRST YEAR, THE FOUNDATION SPONSORED THE KINDER KITS INITIATIVE, DISTRIBUTING APPROXIMATELY 5,000 TAKE-HOME LITERACY KITS TO EVERY KINDERGARTNER IN THE DISTRICT, WITH ADDITIONAL KITS FOR 1ST THROUGH 3RD GRADERS CURRENTLY IN DEVELOPMENT FOR 2025. THE CENTER (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) ALSO HOSTS QUARTERLY LITERACY NIGHTS, WHICH PROVIDE FAMILIES WITH BOOKS, LITERACY KITS, AND ADDITIONAL LITERACY SUPPORT.
  4. $38,000 spent. TONY'S TURKEYS - EVERY HOLIDAY SEASON WE FEED 2,000-2,500 FAMILIES IN THE SALT LAKE CITY/WEST VALLEY AREA FOR THANKSGIVING. WE PROVIDE ALL OF THE FIXINGS FOR A TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING MEAL.
  5. $13,983 spent. BIRDIES FOR BOOKS PROVIDES BOOKS AND READING RESOURCES IN THE HANDS OF CHILDREN THAT NEED EXTRA ASSISTANCE. OVER 50,000 BOOKS HAVE BEEN DONATED TO DATE, THIS YEAR'S AMOUNT WAS IN THE 9,000-10,000 BOOK RANGE.
  6. $91,643 spent. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SUPPORTS OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND FOUNDATIONS THAT ARE WORKING TOWARD SIMILAR GOALS AND TAKING CARE OF THE CHILDREN WE AIM TO SUPPORT AND HELP. THIS IS WHERE THE REMAINING CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AND PROGRAMMING GO.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 2024.

    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 June 2015.

    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.