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Mammoth Lakes Foundation

EIN 77-0245395 · Mammoth Lakes, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 21% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT IN THE EASTERN SIERRA, INCLUDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PERMANENT CAMPUS IN THE MAMMOTH LAKES AREA THAT WILL PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR ACADEMIC STUDIES, APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS, AND STUDENT HOUSING.

Income
$480,820
Spending
$437,915
Spent on programs
21%
Reserves
95.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 78%
Employees
3
Volunteers
28

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

Good: 82 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 95.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    21% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 82 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 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 (4)
  1. $92,276 spent. THE FOUNDATION AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE FALL AND SPRING SEMSETERS. HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS HAVE RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS SINCE THE PROGRAM WAS STARTED.THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND THE COLLEGE AS TO FUTURE LAND USE AND FACILITIES. THE NEXT PROJECT THE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO SEE DEVELOPED IS A CULTURAL CENTER, EXPANDED THEATER, AND NEW ARTS PROGRAMS. PLANNING AND VISIONING IS WHY WE HAVE A COLLEGE IN MAMMOTH LAKES. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO CONTINUE THIS PROCESS WHICH OFTEN TAKES YEARS BEFORE THE NEXT PROJECT CAN BECOME A REALITY.
  2. The Mammoth Lakes Foundation awarded 69 scholarships for the 2020-21 academic year to local students attending Cerro Coso Community College, Mammoth Lakes campus. Over 678 students have received scholarships since the programs inception. Today, the Foundation provides full-tuition scholarships and a book stipend each semester to local students of all ages enrolled at Cerro Coso. Students enrolled in a licensed vocational nursing program requiring travel also receive gas cards to help offset that expense. The Mammoth Lakes Foundation also provides academic support, mentoring, peer support, and other opportunities to its students including partial housing scholarships for eligible students residing in the South Gateway Apartments adjacent to the campus. The Mammoth Lakes Foundation also administers academic scholarships awarded to local high school students by the Terry Plum family.
  3. CURRENTLY, THE SKI MUSEUM HAS LIMITED EXHIBITS AS MOST OF THE EXHIBIT SPACE HAS BEEN CONVERTED TO THEATER USE. TWO ROOMS DISPLAY OLD MAMMOTH LAKES PHOTOS AND ONE TELLS A STORY ABOUT HOW THE AREA WAS DEVELOPED.
  4. The Forest Island Project is an art and advocacy program supporting contemporary artists and creative cultural innovators who are working at the highest levels in their fields through the organization of an artists and critical thinkers fellowship/residency.The Mammoth Lakes Foundation also operates the small Mammoth Ski Museum. Two rooms display photos and memorabilia describing the history of the region and development of the local ski area. The Mammoth Lakes Foundation has extensive landholdings and is working to develop future land use projects for the benefit of the local community. The Foundation is currently pursuing the construction of a larger theatre in partnership with Cerro Coso Community College, the Town of Mammoth Lakes, and other donors.

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

  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 June 2025.

    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 November 1994.

    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.