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Passes our checks

Ward Oaks Foundation Inc

EIN 52-2252149 · Chestertown, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceWeak41 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ALSO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT BY PROMOTING THE USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES, TO INVEST IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES, TO ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE THE COST EFFECTIVE FINANCING AND OPERATING OF RENEWABLE ENERGY FACILITIES IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE COST OF BUILDING AND OPERATING SUCH FACILITIES AND TO REDUCE THE COST OF THE ENERGY PRODUCED BY SUCH FACILITIES. TO ACQUIRE, DEVELOP, INVEST IN, OWN AND OPERATE RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN ORDER TO DEMONSTRATE THEIR EFFICIENCY, PROMOTE THEIR USE, AND REDUCE RELIANCE UPON FOREIGN ENERGY SOURCES. TO PARTICIPATE IN PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ACCOMPLISH ANY OF THE FOREGOING, AS WELL AS OTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSES, TO INCLUDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS, ELDERLY, AND PERSONS OF LOW INCOME.

Income
$364,692
Spending
$546,458
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
88.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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 80% of charities in its peer group (housing, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 88.9 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 50% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 214% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs.

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

Governance

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (housing, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    2 of 3 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $480,921 spent. PROVIDING CLEAN AND RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES TO COMMUNITIES THROUGH OWNERSHIP IN VARIOUS PARTNERSHIPS THAT ALIGN WITH THIS MISSION.CONTRIBUTING TO ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE EXEMPT PURPOSE ALIGNS WITH THAT OF THE FOUNDATION'S MISSIONS.

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 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 August 2000.

    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.