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Cosmos Club Foundation

EIN 52-6071375 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ADVANCEMENT OF THE ARTS, SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES THROUGH AWARDS AND GRANTS TO STIMULATE SCHOLARSHIP, CONDUCT OF SYMPOSIA AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC GOOD.

Income
$430,590
Spending
$72,794
Spent on programs
17%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 74%
Employees
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 63% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 83% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 455% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    17% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    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.

  • 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. $12,055 spent. THE COSMOS CLUB FOUNDATIONS GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDES PRIZES TO POST DOCTORAL SCHOLARS AT LOCAL WASHINGTON DC-AREA UNIVERSITIES TO FURTHER THEIR RESEARCH. THE FOUNDATION GAVE TWO COSMOS CLUB AWARDS WORTH $5,000 EACH. THE COSMOS CLUB AWARD IS PRESENTED ANNUALLY TO SELECTED INDIVIDUAL(S) OF NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL STANDING IN A FIELD OF SCIENCE, LITERATURE, THE FINE ARTS, OTHER LEARNED PROFESSIONS OR PUBLIC SERVICE. THE JOHN P. MCGOVERN AWARD IS AWARDED TO SELECTED INDIVIDUALS WHOSE ENDEAVORS HAVE CLEARLY DISTINGUISHED THEM AS LEADERS IN THEIR SPHERES OF ACTIVITY. EACH RECIPIENT IS OFFERED AN HONORARIUM AND IS PRESENTED WITH A MEDAL COMMEMORATING HIS OR HER SELECTION. RECIPIENTS SPEAK ABOUT THEIR WORK AT A CEREMONY HELD AT THE COSMOS CLUB AND TO WHICH NON-MEMBERS ARE INVITED.THE LECTURES ARE OPEN TO NON-MEMBERS, AND A PLAQUE IS PLACED IN THE COSMOS CLUBHOUSE MEMORIALIZING EACH AWARD RECIPIENT.

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 May 1967.

    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.