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Sports Authority Foundation

EIN 82-2157834 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceFair63 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SPORTS AUTHORITY FOUNDATION (SAF) SPONSORS AMATEUR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS WORKSHOPS, ACTIVITIES AND COMPETITIONS, INCLUDING ACTIVITIES FOR DISABLED AND SPECIAL NEEDS INDIVIDUALS. SAF ALSO SPONSOR'S SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENT ATHLETES AND AMATEUR COMPETITIVE ACTIVITIES. SAF PARTICIPATES IN MENTORING PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND COACHES AND ASSISTS IN COMBATING JUVENILE DELINQUENCY BY SPONSORING RECREATIONAL OUTLETS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
2
Volunteers
123
Highest pay
$245,417, ceo (thru 10/2024)

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

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 96% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 372% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% 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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $225,207 spent. BROTHERS IN ARMS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED BY THREE LEGENDARY HOUSTON QUARTERBACKS WHO WERE ALL RAISED BY SINGLE MOTHERS THAT STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION. THE BROTHERS IN ARMS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OFFERS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENT ATHLETES WHO ARE ALSO BEING RAISED IN A SINGLE PARENT ENVIRONMENT.
  2. $76,853 spent. HALL OF FAME - EACH HONOREE IS RECOGNIZED WITH A BRONZE PLAQUE ON THE WALK OF FAME IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON AND A COMMEMORATIVE PAINTING BY ARTIST OPIE OTTERSTAD. EACH HALL OF FAMER IS ALSO GIVEN A CUSTOM RING CREATED BY FRED CUELLAR & DIAMOND CUTTERS INTERNATIONAL AND A HALL OF FAME JACKET CREATED BY KNOT STANDARD. THE EVENT FEATURES RED-CARPET ARRIVALS, MEMORABILIA, AND CONVERSATIONS WITH THE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES.
  3. $71,246 spent. COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF - PLAYOFF FAN CENTRAL IS AN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE THAT GIVES THOUSANDS OF FANS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. THE THREE-DAY, FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT, TO BE HELD AT THE GEORGE R. BROWN CONVENTION CENTER, WILL INCLUDE GAMES, CLINICS, PEP RALLIES, BAND PERFORMANCES, SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES, AUTOGRAPH SIGNINGS, AND EXHIBITS CELEBRATING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND ITS HISTORY. PLAYOFF FAN CENTRAL CREATES MEMORIES THAT LAST A LIFETIME.
  4. $545,495 spent. OTHER GENERAL SUPPORT INCLUDING LOMBARDI AWARD, COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, NCAA MEN'S FINAL FOUR, HALL OF FAME, OLYMPIC DAY, COPA AMERICA HOUSTON, 2024 CLASICO DE MEXICO, AND ABILITIES IN MOTION.

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 November 6, 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 August 2017.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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