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Ellington Fund

EIN 52-1152273 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SPONSOR, MAINTAIN, AND FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDING CURRICULUM PROGRAMS, STUDENT SUPPORT FUNCTIONS, ART AND ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES AND COURSES, PRODUCTIONS, EXHIBITS, CONCERTS, WORKSHOPS AND EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS; AND TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE TO GRADUATES OF THE DUKE ELLINGTON SCHOOL IN PURSUIT OF COLLEGE OR PROFESSIONAL CAREERS.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
-8.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 68%
Employees
0
Volunteers
80
Highest pay
$324,979, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 35 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 26 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

    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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 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 (2)
  1. $1.6 million spent. ARTS AND ACADEMICS - INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS AND SUPPLIES FOR SCHOOL PROGRAMS IN DANCE, THEATER, VOCAL MUSIC, INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC, VISUAL ARTS, LITERARY, MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS, MUSEUM STUDIES AND TECHNICAL DESIGN AND PRODUCTION.
  2. $46,000 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS - AWARDED TO SENIORS WHO WILL MATRICULATE TO POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. STUDENTS SUBMIT A WRITTEN STATEMENT OF ACHIEVEMENTS, GOALS AND THE REASONS FOR APPLYING. THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE CHOOSES THE RECIPIENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 2024.

    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 July 1979.

    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.