Valero Energy Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO COLLABORATE WITH NONPROFIT PARTNERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES TO FOSTER IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE AND CREATE MEASURABLE IMPACT WHERE UNMET NEEDS EXIST IN COMMUNITIES. IN FURTHERANCE OF THIS MISSION, THE ORGANIZATION WILL CONTRIBUTE FUNDS GENERATED FROM FUNDRAISING THROUGH GOLF AND GOLF-RELATED ACTIVITIES TO ITS TAX-EXEMPT, NON-PROFIT PARTNERS.
- Income
- $12.3 million
- Spending
- $11.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 99%
- Reserves
- 5.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 2,403
- Highest pay
- $1.0 million, senior vice president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.4 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 58% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1599% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 4 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 September 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 (2)
- $10.8 million spent. The Valero Energy Foundation raises funds for the purposes of making charitable grants to nonprofit organizations that serve, children, adults and families, in the areas of food insecurity and basic needs, virtual education and digital support/laptops to improve access for underserved kids and children living in poverty, child abuse and mental health services, and improved health care services in underserved neighborhoods where Valero Energy has major operations. During the tax year ended September 30, 2025, 363 charities received grants from the Foundation.
- $31,458 spent. The SAFE Fund provides assistance to individuals who have a significant charitable need resulting from an unexpected natural disaster such as a hurricane, tornado or flood, or are experiencing a demonstrable financial hardship related to a home fire, serious illness, or death in the family. Grants are available to affected qualifying current and future employees of Valero Energy Corporation. This fiscal year, several grants were targeted for Hurricane and Tornado Relief. During the tax year ended September 30, 2025, 6 individuals received assistance from the SAFE Fund.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 July 1999.
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.
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.