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USA Swimming Foundation

EIN 72-1581977 · Colorado Springs, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ESTABLISHED IN 2004, THE USA SWIMMING FOUNDATION WORKS TO STRENGTHEN THE SPORT OF SWIMMING BY SAVING LIVES, BUILDING CHAMPIONS, AND IMPACTING COMMUNITIES WHETHER PROVIDING GRANT FUNDING TO MEMBERS OF OUR LESSON PROVIDER NETWORK, SUPPORTING THE DREAMS OF NATIONAL TEAM MEMBERS, OR GROWING THE SPORT IN TRADITIONALLY UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS, THE FOUNDATION IS PROUD TO SERVE AS THE PHILANTHROPIC ARM OF USA SWIMMING. SWIMMING IS THE ONLY SPORT THAT CAN SAVE A LIFE, AND OUR WORK IS CRITICAL TOWARDS MAKING THE SPORT AN EQUITABLE SPACE.

Income
$6.4 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
38.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 38%
Employees
0
Volunteers
150
Highest pay
$1.1 million, ceo (to 08/2024)

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 38.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 63% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 32 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 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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 (3)
  1. $1.1 million spent. Saving Lives - Learn-to-Swim Initiative: USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation believe that the best defense against drowning is empowering children and adults with the life-saving skill of swimming and education on how to be safer around the water. In 2021, that mission was expanded when U.S. Masters Swimming (USMS) moved its fundraising efforts for adult learn-to-swim programs from its USMS Swimming Saves Lives Foundation to the USA Swimming Foundation. Bringing all learn-to-swim fundraising efforts under one umbrella is creating greater generational impact by providing swim lessons to all ages. With the help of a nationwide network of qualified swim lesson providers and water safety advocates USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation educate families through a national awareness campaign, save lives by supporting free and reduced-cost programming, and utilize Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) data to impact areas of the country with the highest need.
  2. $1.7 million spent. Building Champions: the United States is one of few countries that do not provide government funding for its Olympic-level athletes. National Team swimmers maintain a rigorous and demanding training and travel schedule; therefore, most professional swimmers do not have time to maintain traditional employment. Travel, physical therapists, strength trainers, nutritionists, sports psychologists and other experts are essential for peak physical performance, mental wellness and positive team culture. The USA Swimming Foundation provides financial support to members of the USA Swimming National Team, and to members of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team to impact continued growth and development. One of the premiere programs fostered by the USA Swimming Foundation is the Donor Athlete Partnership Program. This mentorship program focuses on athlete support in and out of the pool. By investing in leadership development, networking, career exploration, investors in this program support athletes with transition services and planning for life after swimming.
  3. $429,624 spent. Impacting Communities - Expand Competitive Opportunities: the USA Swimming Foundation focuses on investing in three impactful programs to increase access and opportunities to our sport for underrepresented communities: Community Impact Grants, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Grants and Community Swim Teams. Through the Community Impact Grant program, USA Swimming aims to grow a diverse community of champion athletes by creating competitive opportunities within diverse communities. Grant dollars are utilized for learn-to-swim programming, scholarships, technology, equipment and administrative support. By investing in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), we aim to revitalize aquatic programming within these diverse communities by supporting new water safety education and competitive opportunities. Grant dollars are utilized for learn-to-swim programming, club travel expenses, technology and equipment and administrative support. Community Swim Teams partner with municipal and recreational departments throughout the U.S. to provide athletes with USA Swimming membership resources and competitions. These partnerships also offer municipal coaches access to education, professional development and introduce a new diverse population of families, athletes and coaches to USA Swimming. LINE 4D, PROGRAM SERVICE ------------------------ Alumni Legacy: The USA Swimming Foundation sustains a network of National Team alumni from the 1940's to present who are passionate about giving back to the sport that gave so much to them. Alumni events are held biannually to celebrate successes and share updates about the USA Swimming Foundation. This group of former athletes are incredible stewards of the sport and continue to give back in various ways.

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 June 2015.

    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.