The Degen Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROMOTE AND DEVELOP ACCESS TO AND DELIVERY OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN WESTERN ARKANSAS AND EASTERN OKLAHOMA, TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND AVAILABILITY OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES, TO FACILITATE AND PROMOTE HEALTHCARE EDUCATION, TO AID AND SUPPORT ESTABLISHED RELIGIOUS OR CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, AND TO SUPPORT AND FACILITATE AS A SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION THE EDUCATIONAL MISSION OF THE ARKANSAS COLLEGES OF HEALTHCARE EDUCATION AND THE UNITED WAY OF FORT SMITH AREA, INC.
- Income
- $965,767
- Spending
- $906,590
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 14
- Highest pay
- $26,450, executive director
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 97% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs.
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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 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.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 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 (1)
- $754,540 spent. THE ORGANIZATION WAS FORMED TO ADMINISTER GIFTS IN SUPPORT OF SPARKS HEALTH SYSTEM AND TO PROMOTE THE HEALTHCARE SERVICES OF SPARKS HEALTH SYSTEM AS A SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION. SPARKS HEALTH SYSTEM ASSETS WERE SOLD 11/30/2009 AND THE ORGANIZATION WILL ASSIST IN DISTRIBUTING, WHEN NEEDED, THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE IN SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE 501(C)3 ORGANIZATIONS IN WESTERN ARKANSAS AND EASTERN OKLAHOMA. ON APRIL 18, 2014 THE BOARD OF SPARKS PASSED A RESOLUTION TO CONTRIBUTE UP TO $50,000,000 AS A RESTRICTED CONTRIBUTION IN SUPPORT OF DEVELOPING AN INSTITUTION OF HEALTH EDUCATION. THE ARKANSAS COLLEGES OF HEALTH EDUCATION (ACHE) WAS ORGANIZED AND THE BALANCE OF THE SPARKS FUNDS WERE TRANSFERRED TO ACHE IN SEPTEMBER 2017. IN JUNE 2019, THE DEGEN BOARD VOTED TO BECOME A SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION TO ACHE WHILE CONTINUING TO FUND LOCAL AND RELIGIOUS HEALTHCARE RELATED TO 501(C)3 ORGANIZATIONS AND HEALTHCARE RELATED STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS. DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024, THE UNITED WAY OF FORT SMITH AREA, INC. WAS ADDED AS A SUPPORTED ORGANIZATION OF THE DEGEN FOUNDATION.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1983.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: The Foundation (Houston, TX), EIN 92-0742101. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.