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Sommfoundation

EIN 59-3770368 · Napa, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceWeak43 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 45% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THE SommFoundation IS TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO ENCOURAGE IMPROVED STANDARDS OF BEVERAGE KNOWLEDGE AND SERVICE IN HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS. THE SommFoundation WILL FUND THE EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN THE SERVICE OF WINE, SPIRITS, AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WHO ARE SEEKING TO REACH THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY AND KNOWLEDGE IN THE PROFESSION BY PURSUING THE EDUCATIONAL COURSEWORK NECESSARY TO ATTAIN THE STATUS OF MASTER SOMMELIER.

Income
$402,470
Spending
$440,458
Spent on programs
45%
Reserves
4.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 75%
Employees
2

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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    45% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 10 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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 (3)
  1. $163,364 spent. EVENTS - THE SOMMFOUNDATION HOSTS VARIOUS FUNDRAISING EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE PURPOSE OF THESE EVENTS ARE TO ENCOURAGE IMPROVED STANDARDS OF BEVERAGE KNOWLEDGE.BELOW IS THE LIST OF FUNDRAISER EVENTS: Rudd Foundation Patron Foundation SommGeo Gulbronsen Aspen Art Crush Boulder Burgundy Festival
  2. $28,436 spent. SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS - THE PURPOSE OF THE SOMMFOUNDATION IS TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO ENCOURAGE IMPROVED STANDARDS OF BEVERAGE KNOWLEDGE AND SERVICE IN HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS. THE SOMMFOUNDATION WILL FUND THE EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN THE SERVICE OF WINE, SPIRITS, AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WHO ARE SEEKING TO REACH THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY AND KNOWLEDGE IN THE PROFESSION BY PURSUING THE EDUCATIONAL COURSEWORK NECESSARY TO ATTAIN THE STATUS OF MASTER SOMMELIER.
  3. $6,099 spent. UNIVERSITY COURSE EXPENSE - IN KEEPING WITH THE PURPOSE TO IMPROVE THE STANDARDS OF BEVERAGE KNOWLEDGE THE SOMMFOUNDATION CONDUCTS COURSES FOR GRADUATING SENIORS AT FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITIES. THESE COURSES ARE UNDERWRITTEN BY THE SOMMFOUNDATION. INSTRUCTORS CONSIST OF SOMMELIERS WHO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME. EXPENSES INCURRED BY THE SOMMFOUNDATION INCLUDE TEXT BOOKS FOR THE STUDENTS, WINE FOR THE CLASSES, AND TRAVEL, HOTEL, AND MEALS FOR THE VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTORS.

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 December 2003.

    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.