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Schenectady Foundation Inc

EIN 61-1600398 · Schenectady, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SCHENECTADY FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE IMPROVEMENT IN THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF PEOPLE, ORGANIZATIONS AND NEIGHBORHOODS IN SCHENECTADY COUNTY THROUGH THE INVESTMENT OF PHILANTHROPIC RESOURCES. THE SCHENECTADY FOUNDATION, INC. PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT TO THE FOUNDATION TO ACHIEVE THIS MISSION.

Income
$959,037
Spending
$885,553
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
2.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
8
Volunteers
145
Highest pay
$183,176, executive director

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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 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 (2)
  1. $168,328 spent. GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS MADE:THE SCHENECTADY FOUNDATION, INC. PROVIDES ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATING SUPPORT TO THE GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS OF THE SCHENECTADY FOUNDATION, INCLUDING THE CREATION OF GRANT APPLICATIONS AND PROCESSES, PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO GRANT APPLICATIONS AND GRANTEES, REVIEWING AND EVALUATING APPLICATIONS, ENSURING DUE DILIGENCE AND FOLLOW-UP THROUGH GRANT REPORTING, TRACKING AND MANAGING GRANT CONDITIONS AND PAYMENTS.
  2. $526,227 spent. STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:SCHENECTADY FOUNDATION, INC. CARRIES OUT THE FOUNDATION'S PROGRAMS AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES.IN 2024, STRATEGIC INITIATIVES INCLUDED:1. FOOD SECURITY:A. SCHENECTADY COUNTY FOOD COUNCIL - THE FOOD COUNCIL CONTINUED TO WORK IN THREE KEY AREAS TO IMPROVE THE LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM: A.) ACCESS & EQUITY; B.) ADVOCACY & EMPOWERMENT; C.) AGRICULTURE & FOOD SYSTEMS. THE COUNCIL CONDUCTED MANY COMMUNITY MEETINGS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW RESIDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY, AND TO PRESENT LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ABOUT A VARIETY OF FOOD AND NUTRITION TOPICS.B. WEEKEND BACKPACK PROGRAM - THE PROGRAM PROVIDES WEEKEND MEALS TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SCHENECTADY COUNTY. DURING 2024 THERE WERE 200 STUDENTS SERVED.2. NEIGHBORHOODS:A. THRIVING NEIGHBORHOODS CHALLENGE PROJECTS, A PROGRAM SUPPORTING CITY OF SCHENECTADY RESIDENTS TO MAKE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENTS, CONTINUED IN 2024. PROJECTS SUCH AS PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND CULTURAL/ EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WERE ADVANCED BY THE COOPERATIVE WORK OF 85 VOLUNTEERS WITH THE RESULTING IMPROVEMENTS BENEFITING ALL CITY RESIDENTS (65,000).3. COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SYSTEMS CHANGE:A. THE ONE SCHENECTADY SYSTEMS CHANGE STRATEGY BEGAN IMPLEMENTATION IN 2024 WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMUNITY CHANGE COUNCIL COMPRISED OF RESIDENTS, AND GRASSROOTS AND GRASSTOPS LEADERS. THE CHANGE COUNCIL FOCUSED ITS EFFORTS ON HOUSING ISSUES WITHIN THE CITY, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN APP TO PROVIDE RENTERS WITH GREATER TRANSPARENCY AS TO CODE VIOLATIONS AND CONDITIONS AT RENTAL PROPERTIES. ONE SCHENECTADY SERVES THE ENTIRE COUNTY OF 150,000 PEOPLE BY CHANGING THE SYSTEMS THAT HAVE KEPT CURRENT SOCIETAL INEQUITIES IN PLACE.

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 October 2010.

    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.