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Austin Community Foundation

EIN 74-1934031 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE MOBILIZE IDEAS AND RESOURCES TO STRENGTHEN CENTRAL TEXAS.

Income
$79.3 million
Spending
$70.1 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
75.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 72%
Employees
34
Volunteers
521
Highest pay
$358,570, ceo

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 75.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 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. $61.2 million spent. GRANTMAKING. THE FOUNDATION MAKES GRANTS FROM THE VARIOUS ENDOWMENTS AND FUNDS THAT IT HOLDS. THE FOUNDATION HAS A COMPETITIVE GRANTS CYCLE THAT MAKES GRANTS ONLY IN THE CENTRAL TEXAS REGION TO SUPPORT PUBLIC CHARITIES AND GOVERNMENT EFFORTS IN THE FOLLOWING ISSUE AREAS: ARTS/CULTURE; EDUCATION/TRAINING; COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/SERVICE; ENVIRONMENT; HEALTH; HUMAN SERVICES; ANIMAL-RELATED SERVICES; AND RECREATION/LEISURE. ADDITIONALLY, THROUGH DESIGNATED, DONOR-ADVISED AND FIELD OF INTEREST FUNDS, THE FOUNDATION MAKES GRANTS TO PUBLIC CHARITIES AND GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES LOCALLY, STATE-WIDE, NATIONALLY AND OCCASIONALLY, INTERNATIONALLY.
  2. $1.2 million spent. SCHOLARSHIPS. THE FOUNDATION GRANTS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND VOCATION/TECHNICAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS. ALL SCHOLARSHIPS ARE PAID DIRECTLY TO THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION.
  3. $6.5 million spent. INITIATIVES AND OTHER COMMUNITY EFFORTS. THE FOUNDATION THROUGH A VARIETY OF EFFORTS WORKS WITH NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF COMMUNITY NEED AND THE IMPACT THAT PRIVATE PHILANTHROPY CAN MAKE. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES VEHICLES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE COMMUNITY THROUGH GRANT MAKING AND COMMUNITY BUILDING. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SERVES AS THE FISCAL SPONSOR FOR THE CHARITABLE PROJECTS.

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 September 1977.

    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.