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Chelco Foundation a Florida Corporation Not-For-Profit

EIN 82-1794757 · Defuniak Spgs, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF CHOCTAWHATCHEE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (CHELCO) TO SERVE AS A PHHILANTHROPIC AGENCY TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AS WELL AS ACROSS THE NATION AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. DONATIONS MADE TO THE FOUNDATION ARE MADE VOLUNTARILY BY EMPLOYEES AND OTHERS WHO WISH TO SUPPORT CHELCO'S COMMUNITY OUTREACH, WHICH INCLUDES ITEMS LIKE SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS FOR CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS.

Income
$95,633
Spending
$117,931
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 85%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$851,634, comp is not paid by the foundation

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 92% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $94,500 spent. MURIAL DREBING PROGRAM - BENEFITING VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS. THE CHELCO FOUNDATION DONATES FUNDS TO THE UNITED WAY, AND THE UNITED WAY USES THEIR SELECTION CRITERIA TO DETERMINE THE RECIPIENTS.
  2. $16,409 spent. INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO BENEFIT LOCAL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, EMERALD COAST AUTISM CENTER, AND MATRIX COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PROGRAM, REFLECTING THE FOUNDATION'S COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.
  3. $1,500 spent. PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO SUPPORT CHELCO EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES, INCLUDING COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER ASSISTANCE AS NEEDED.

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 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 March 2018.

    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.