Passes our checks

Pallet Foundation

EIN 54-1798031 · Alexandria, VA

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

What it says it does

The Pallet Foundation supports research, education/training and safety in the wood packaging industry while promoting the industry to end-users.

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 88.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15
Income fell 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
67% 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

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
23 of 23 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.
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 December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)

$197,376 spent. The Pallet Design System (PDS) is an engineering, design and marketing tool, you can dwesign the optimum pallet by scientifically determining the safe load carrying capacity, performance and material quality needed. PDS takes end-user requirements into consideration as it uses fundamantal engineering principles to calculate and examine ech possible solution.
$42,500 spent. The Foundation continues to fund research with Virginia Tech University to explore the modeling of the quality of wood pallets & circulation in the US
$40,238 spent. Natures Packaging is a campaign designed to promote the benefits of wood packaging. It will supply research and analytical support to gather environmental facts and figures on issues such as life cycle analysis, forest sustainability, certification and wood recycling programs.
$31,176 spent. The Pallet & Containier Lab located at Virginia Tech University continues to provide testing research on various types of pallets and wood species. In addition, Simulation testing was used to test the longevity of the Pallet, which goes into the equation to calculate the environmental impact.
$10,000 spent. The Foundation has hired a consultant to provide strategic advice and a historical perspective on all aspects of ISPM 15. He writes summary briefs, participates in meetings and conferences and represents the Pallet industry a various meetings and conferences.

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

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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1998.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.