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Aspen Community Foundation

EIN 84-0829226 · Basalt, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ASPEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BUILDS PHILANTHROPY AND SUPPORTS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS BY CONNECTING DONORS TO COMMUNITY NEEDS, BUILDING PERMANENT CHARITABLE FUNDS, AND BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO SOLVE COMMUNITY PROBLEMS.

Income
$20.9 million
Spending
$22.6 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
29.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
9
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$269,529, executive director

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: 89 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 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 (1)
  1. $21.6 million spent. IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED GRANTMAKING IN THREE AREAS; 1. THE FOUNDATION'S UNRESTRICTED GRANTMAKING FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES BY NONPROFITS IN THE FOUNDATION'S SERVICE AREA, FUNDED BY AN ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DRIVE. 2. DONOR ADVISED FUND GRANTMAKING IS SUPPORTED FROM OVER 100 DONOR ADVISED FUND, MEETING THE PHILANTHROPIC GOALS OF THE FOUNDATION'S DONORS. 3. DESIGNATED AND SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS PROVIDE GRANTS FOR SPECIFIED PURPOSES IDENTIFIED BY THE FUND'S DESIGN AND ADMINISTERED BY THE FOUNDATION. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION STOOD UP ITS COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE OUR REGION'S OPPORTUNITIES AREA ACCESSIBLE TO ALL BY CONNECTING LEADERS AND CATALYZING PROGRESS. THIS INCLUDED THE INAUGURAL NONPROFIT CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE, WHICH PROVIDED AN IMMERSIVE, 5-DAY ACADEMY FOCUSING ON STRENGTHENING LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS BY BUILDING CAPACITY AND HELPING TO ENSURE THEIR SUSTAINABILITY.

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 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 September 1982.

    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.

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.