Community Foundation of the Florida Keys
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO CONNECT PEOPLE, RESOURCES AND NEEDS THROUGH PHILANTHROPY.
- Income
- $6.6 million
- Spending
- $4.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 93%
- Reserves
- 23.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 66%
- Employees
- 3
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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 23.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1593% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $3.6 million spent. GENERAL PHILANTHROPY THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO MAKE THE FLORIDA KEYS A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE NOW AND IN THE FUTURE BY FOSTERING PHILANTHROPY AND ACTIVELY CONNECTING COMMUNITY NEEDS TO RESOURCES. IN 2024, TOGETHER WITH OUR DONORS AND FUNDHOLDERS, THE FOUNDATION AWARDED 553 GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING 2.95 MILLION TO SUPPORT A WIDE RANGE OF CAUSES, INCLUDING ARTS AND CULTURE, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, HOUSING, MUSIC, RECREATION, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, ANIMAL WELFARE, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND TEACHER RECOGNITION. OUR ANNUAL GRANTS PROGRAM EXPANDED TO 784,000 IN 2024, REPRESENTING A 57% INCREASE OVER 2023-DRIVEN LARGELY BY THE GENEROSITY OF OUR DONOR-ADVISED FUNDHOLDERS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO PRIORITIZED LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY BY FOCUSING ON THE GROWTH OF PERMANENT LEGACY FUNDS. BY YEAR-END, WE HAD SECURED OVER 45 MILLION IN FUTURE PLANNED GIVING COMMITMENTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FLORIDA KEYS. IN ADDITION TO DONOR-DIRECTED PHILANTHROPY, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS BY HELPING THEM ESTABLISH PERMANENT ENDOWMENT AND OPERATIONAL RESERVE FUNDS. IN 2024, 27 NEW FUNDS WERE OPENED, INCLUDING 2 NEW PERMANENT ENDOWMENTS CREATED TO BENEFIT THE FLORIDA KEYS IN PERPETUITY. GENERAL PHILANTHROPY THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO MAKE THE FLORIDA KEYS A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE NOW AND IN THE FUTURE BY FOSTERING PHILANTHROPY AND ACTIVELY CONNECTING COMMUNITY NEEDS TO RESOURCES. IN 2024, TOGETHER WITH OUR DONORS AND FUNDHOLDERS, THE FOUNDATION AWARDED 553 GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS TOTALING 2.95 MILLION TO SUPPORT A WIDE RANGE OF CAUSES, INCLUDING ARTS AND CULTURE, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, HOUSING, MUSIC, RECREATION, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, ANIMAL WELFARE, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND TEACHER RECOGNITION. OUR ANNUAL GRANTS PROGRAM EXPANDED TO 784,000 IN 2024, REPRESENTING A 57% INCREASE OVER 2023-DRIVEN LARGELY BY THE GENEROSITY OF OUR DONOR-ADVISED FUNDHOLDERS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO PRIORITIZED LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY BY FOCUSING ON THE GROWTH OF PERMANENT LEGACY FUNDS. BY YEAR-END, WE HAD SECURED OVER 45 MILLION IN FUTURE PLANNED GIVING COMMITMENTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FLORIDA KEYS. IN ADDITION TO DONOR-DIRECTED PHILANTHROPY, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS BY HELPING THEM ESTABLISH PERMANENT ENDOWMENT AND OPERATIONAL RESERVE FUNDS. IN 2024, 27 NEW FUNDS WERE OPENED, INCLUDING 2 NEW PERMANENT ENDOWMENTS CREATED TO BENEFIT THE FLORIDA KEYS IN PERPETUITY.
- $81,671 spent. CENTER FOR NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE A CORE PILLAR OF THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS STRENGTHENING THE NONPROFIT SECTOR TO ENSURE A VIBRANT AND EFFECTIVE ECOSYSTEM OF SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE KEYS. THROUGH OUR CENTER FOR NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE, WE PROVIDE ESSENTIAL TOOLS, TRAINING, AND SUPPORT TO HELP ORGANIZATIONS LEAD WITH PURPOSE AND IMPACT. KEY PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUR LEADERSHIP SUCCESS ACADEMY, WHICH EQUIPS NONPROFIT LEADERS AND BOARD MEMBERS WITH FOUNDATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE SKILLS. IN 2024, 33 NONPROFIT LEADERS COMPLETED THE TWO-DAY PROGRAM, HELD IN MARCH AT THE FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY AND DISCOVERY CENTER IN ISLAMORADA. WE ALSO HOSTED THE THIRD ANNUAL FLORIDA KEYS NONPROFIT DAY, A COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS FUNDERS' ALLIANCE. THIS FREE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT BROUGHT TOGETHER OVER 141 NONPROFIT PROFESSIONALS AT THE MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATER IN SEPTEMBER FOR SKILL-BUILDING WORKSHOPS AND NETWORKING. TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE NONPROFIT WORKFORCE, THE FOUNDATION HELD ITS 24TH ANNUAL UNSUNG HEROES CELEBRATION IN FEBRUARY, RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS OF 91 VOLUNTEERS FROM ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE KEYS. ________________________________________ CENTER FOR NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE A CORE PILLAR OF THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS STRENGTHENING THE NONPROFIT SECTOR TO ENSURE A VIBRANT AND EFFECTIVE ECOSYSTEM OF SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE KEYS. THROUGH OUR CENTER FOR NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE, WE PROVIDE ESSENTIAL TOOLS, TRAINING, AND SUPPORT TO HELP ORGANIZATIONS LEAD WITH PURPOSE AND IMPACT. KEY PROGRAMS INCLUDE OUR LEADERSHIP SUCCESS ACADEMY, WHICH EQUIPS NONPROFIT LEADERS AND BOARD MEMBERS WITH FOUNDATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE SKILLS. IN 2024, 33 NONPROFIT LEADERS COMPLETED THE TWO-DAY PROGRAM, HELD IN MARCH AT THE FLORIDA KEYS HISTORY AND DISCOVERY CENTER IN ISLAMORADA. WE ALSO HOSTED THE THIRD ANNUAL FLORIDA KEYS NONPROFIT DAY, A COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVE OF THE FLORIDA KEYS FUNDERS' ALLIANCE. THIS FREE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT BROUGHT TOGETHER OVER 141 NONPROFIT PROFESSIONALS AT THE MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATER IN SEPTEMBER FOR SKILL-BUILDING WORKSHOPS AND NETWORKING. TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE NONPROFIT WORKFORCE, THE FOUNDATION HELD ITS 24TH ANNUAL UNSUNG HEROES CELEBRATION IN FEBRUARY, RECOGNIZING THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS OF 91 VOLUNTEERS FROM ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE KEYS. ________________________________________
- UNMET COMMUNITY NEEDS THE FOUNDATION REMAINS COMMITTED TO IDENTIFYING AND ADDRESSING THE EVOLVING AND OFTEN UNMET NEEDS OF THE FLORIDA KEYS. WE WORK IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ENSURE THAT ALL AREAS OF THE KEYS ARE EQUITABLY SERVED. IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO SUPPORT ITS REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCILS IN THE UPPER, MIDDLE, AND LOWER KEYS, PROVIDING LOCAL INSIGHT AND GUIDANCE TO SHAPE GRANT MAKING AND OUTREACH EFFORTS. A ONE-TO-ONE MATCHING INITIATIVE REMAINED IN PLACE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, DOUBLING THE IMPACT OF DONATIONS MADE TO EACH OF THE THREE REGIONAL FUTURE FUNDS. THESE FUNDS COLLECTIVELY INVESTED 44,100 IN LOCAL GRANT MAKING IN 2024. REFLECTING OUR ONGOING COMMITMENT TO COUNTY-WIDE LEADERSHIP, THE BOARD APPOINTED ITS FIRST CHAIR BASED OUTSIDE OF KEY WEST-RESIDING IN KEY LARGO- AND HIRED A NEW CEO BASED IN ISLAMORADA. AT THE SAME TIME, WE CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN OUR OFFICES AND STAFF IN KEY WEST, ENSURING A STRONG PRESENCE AND ACCESSIBILITY IN THE LOWER KEYS AND KEY WEST. THESE STRATEGIC MOVES REINFORCE THE FOUNDATION'S DEDICATION TO SERVING THE ENTIRE MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY AND MEETING NEEDS THROUGHOUT THE KEYS AS THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO GROW. UNMET COMMUNITY NEEDS THE FOUNDATION REMAINS COMMITTED TO IDENTIFYING AND ADDRESSING THE EVOLVING AND OFTEN UNMET NEEDS OF THE FLORIDA KEYS. WE WORK IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ENSURE THAT ALL AREAS OF THE KEYS ARE EQUITABLY SERVED. IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION CONTINUED TO SUPPORT ITS REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCILS IN THE UPPER, MIDDLE, AND LOWER KEYS, PROVIDING LOCAL INSIGHT AND GUIDANCE TO SHAPE GRANT MAKING AND OUTREACH EFFORTS. A ONE-TO-ONE MATCHING INITIATIVE REMAINED IN PLACE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, DOUBLING THE IMPACT OF DONATIONS MADE TO EACH OF THE THREE REGIONAL FUTURE FUNDS. THESE FUNDS COLLECTIVELY INVESTED 44,100 IN LOCAL GRANT MAKING IN 2024. REFLECTING OUR ONGOING COMMITMENT TO COUNTY-WIDE LEADERSHIP, THE BOARD APPOINTED ITS FIRST CHAIR BASED OUTSIDE OF KEY WEST-RESIDING IN KEY LARGO- AND HIRED A NEW CEO BASED IN ISLAMORADA. AT THE SAME TIME, WE CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN OUR OFFICES AND STAFF IN KEY WEST, ENSURING A STRONG PRESENCE AND ACCESSIBILITY IN THE LOWER KEYS AND KEY WEST. THESE STRATEGIC MOVES REINFORCE THE FOUNDATION'S DEDICATION TO SERVING THE ENTIRE MONROE COUNTY COMMUNITY AND MEETING NEEDS THROUGHOUT THE KEYS AS THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUES TO GROW.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1997.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 2026.
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