Colten Foster Memorial Fund
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Colten Foster Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit that was formed after the death of our 19 year old son to suicide on June 18th 2018. His death blindsided his family and friends. He never showed signs of mental illness. The foundation was formed because we do not want anyone else to suffer from this devastating loss, nor do we want others struggling with mental illness or suicidal ideation to suffer in silence. Our mission is to bring awareness about mental illness and suicide prevention as well as promoting mental wellness and resiliency to youth in our community.
- Income
- $43,615
- Spending
- $27,691
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 59.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 93%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 31
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (mental health, under $250k).
Independent board
5 of 251 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (1)
- $27,691 spent. Since the foundations inception in 2018 We have provided 19,700 in scholarships to Basehor-Linwood high school seniors to attend trade, tech or vocational school as this was the path Colten had chosen. He was training to be an electrician. We will be providing three 1,500 scholarships for seniors, two 500 for juniors this year. This year we will also be offering a 500 scholarship to a sophomore who will be doing trade school next year. We provide financial assistance annually to assist two teens in attending Young Life summer camp, this expense is 800 per teen. We supported a mental health garden and dog park build in honor of a life lost too soon to mental health and a single mom who worked as the animal control officer in the Basehor Linwood Community. We support their annual Sporting Clay Tournament fundraiser and this year supported the math club. We have donated a selection of books about understanding emotions and mental health to the 4 elementary schools in the USD 458 school district. The foundation provides educational training opportunities for school district staff, youth leaders and mentors in the communIty to empower them with knowledge and resources to be prepared to handle the ever increasing mental health challenges and needs of youth in our community. This past year we sent 11 people including school district staff & youth leaders to Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training ASIST, a two day workshop for caregivers who want to feel more comfortable, confident and competent in helping to prevent the immediate risk of suicide. We are extending the training opportunities to include first responders in our community. The foundation partnered with Basehor Parents in Action to bring the Speak Up Foundation to BLHS to provide education about mental illness, suicide awareness and mental health to staff and students. We attend local events to provide resources and educational material about suicide prevention and mental health. We continue to seek opportunities to provide education and support about mental health and fight to end the stigma against mental illness.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2025 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2025.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 December 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 September 2025.
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 November 4, 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.