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Footpath Foundation

EIN 47-5560117 · Parma, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CONNECTING KIDS WITH NATURE TO DEVELOP PERSONAL GROWTH AND IMPROVE ACCESS TO THE NATURAL WORLD.

Income
$538,286
Spending
$430,099
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
20.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
15
Volunteers
81
Highest pay
$46,478, ceo

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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 (3)
  1. $95,097 spent. SCHOOL BASED PROGRAMS: FOOTPATH ENGAGES WITH LOCAL SCHOOL URBAN DISTRICTS WHERE MORE THAN 50% OF STUDENTS RECEIVE FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH. FOOTPATH PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL CURRICULUM RESOURCES AND ENRICHMENT FOR 5TH AND 6TH GRADE STUDENTS. THE ENRICHMENT INCLUDES PRINTED LESSONS, STUDENT WORKBOOKS, TEACHER GUIDES, HANDS-ON MATERIALS FOR THE TEACHER AND STUDENTS TO USE IN OUTDOOR LESSONS. ADDITIONALLY, 6TH GRADERS WILL GO ON A FALL OUTDOOR DISCOVERY DAY FIELD TRIP WITH FOOTPATH AND A CAMP EXPERIENCE, AND 5TH GRADERS WILL GO TO A DAY OF CAMP. FOR SLEEPOVER CAMP, FOOTPATH PROVIDES TRANSPORTATION AND ALL NECESSARY SUPPLIES INCLUDING DUFFLE BAG, SLEEPING BAG, TOILETRIES ETC.
  2. $48,905 spent. OUT OF SCHOOL / SUMMER PROGRAMS: YOUTH FROM UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITIES ARE PROVIDED OUTDOOR ADVENTURES OR SUMMER NATURE-BASED EXPERIENCES. THIS COULD INCLUDE FISHING EVENTS, EQUESTRIAN THERAPY EVENTS, SUMMER DAY CAMP, OUTDOOR HIKING EVENTS. FOOTPATH PROVIDES ANY NEEDED EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, AND MAY INCLUDE TRANSPORTATION.
  3. $14,190 spent. OUTDOOR CONNECTION KITS: KITS CONTAINING NATURE RELATED ACTIVITIES, CRAFTS AND GAMES ARE CRAFTED, ASSEMBLED AND DELIVERED TO CHILDREN IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. KITS SPECIALIZE IN SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING THROUGH NATURE.

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 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 December 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.