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Givewell Community Foundation Inc

EIN 59-3649871 · Lakeland, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF GIVEWELL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IS TO CHAMPION CHARITABLE GIVING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE AREAS WE SERVE, BOTH FOR NOW AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Income
$63.7 million
Spending
$66.0 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
102.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
7
Highest pay
$196,547, president/ce

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 102.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 66% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • 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

    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

    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 June 30, 2025, 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. $64.4 million spent. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN ALL AREAS OF POLK, HARDEE, AND HIGHLANDS COUNTIES. IT DOES THIS BY SERVING THREE CONSTITUENCIES: 1) DONORS: FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE COMMUNITY AND HAVE A DESIRE TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES QUALIFIED COUNSEL, GUIDANCE AND STEWARDSHIP IN HELPING THEM MEET THEIR CHARITABLE GOALS; 2) LOCAL NON-PROFIT CHARITIES: THE FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTES MONIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH DONOR DESIRES. IN ADDITION, IT PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND OFFERS ASSISTANCE IN MANAGING INDIVIDUAL ENDOWMENT FUNDS; 3) THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE: THE FOUNDATION AND ITS BOARD SERVE AS A CATALYST WITH POLK, HARDEE,AND HIGHLANDS COUNTIES IN ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THROUGH GRANT MAKING BY DONORS, THE FOUNDATION REACHES OUT TO A BROAD SPECTRUM INCLUDING THE ARTS, YOUTH, EDUCATION, HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND MORE. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN ALL AREAS OF POLK, HARDEE, AND HIGHLANDS COUNTIES. IT DOES THIS BY SERVING THREE CONSTITUENCIES: 1) DONORS: FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE COMMUNITY AND HAVE A DESIRE TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES QUALIFIED COUNSEL, GUIDANCE AND STEWARDSHIP IN HELPING THEM MEET THEIR CHARITABLE GOALS; 2) LOCAL NON-PROFIT CHARITIES: THE FOUNDATION DISTRIBUTES MONIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH DONOR DESIRES. IN ADDITION, IT PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND OFFERS ASSISTANCE IN MANAGING INDIVIDUAL ENDOWMENT FUNDS; 3) THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE: THE FOUNDATION AND ITS BOARD SERVE AS A CATALYST WITH POLK, HARDEE,AND HIGHLANDS COUNTIES IN ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THROUGH GRANT MAKING BY DONORS, THE FOUNDATION REACHES OUT TO A BROAD SPECTRUM INCLUDING THE ARTS, YOUTH, EDUCATION, HEALTH, SOCIAL SERVICES AND MORE.
  2. WE HELP DONORS AND CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY.
  3. WE HELP DONORS AND CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 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 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.