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The Southwest Florida Foundation Incorporated

EIN 65-0266046 · Estero, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood87 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENCOURAGE THE MAKING OF GIFTS, BENEFACTIONS, AND OTHER DONATIONS, BY DEED, WILL, DIRECT GIFT OR OTHERWISE FOR THE ASSISTANCE, ADVANCEMENT AND TO STRENGTHEN THE DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH OF BONITA SPRINGS, FL AND ITS SURROUNDING AREA. THIS FOUNDATION SHALL PRIMARILY SUPPORT AND ASSIST SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INCORPORATED IN ITS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.

Income
$798,862
Spending
$134,712
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
95.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 91%
Employees
0
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$128,936, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 95.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% 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 503% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $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

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 September 30, 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. $64,956 spent. LEADERSHIP BONITA - A PROGRAM WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND TO INTRODUCE PARTICIPANTS TO HOW THE INTERCONNECTED ENGINE OF THE COMMUNITY RUNS.
  2. $12,779 spent. VETERANS BUSINESS COUNCIL - COUNCIL IS DEDICATED TO HELPING BUILD A VIBRANT AND PROSPEROUS BUSINESS COMMUNITY FOR ALL VETERANS AND VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESSES IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.
  3. $4,079 spent. HISPANIC BUSINESS COUNCIL - COUNCIL IS DEDICATED TO HELPING BUILD A VIBRANT AND PROSPEROUS BUSINESS COMMUNITY FOR ALL HISPANICS AND HISPANIC-OWNED BUSINESSES IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 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 September 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 October 1991.

    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.