Lafayette Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION IS THE PRESERVATION AND EDUCATION OF AVIATION HISTORY.
- Income
- $12,984
- Spending
- $11,132
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 23 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 10
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
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, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 29 out of 100.
Independent board
18 of 253 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
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
- $9,220 spent. THE LAFAYETTE FOUNDATION SEES OVER 7000 VISITORS PER YEAR COME THROUGH OUR MUSEUM WHERE WE GIVE GUIDED TOURS OF OUR COLLECTION AND DISPLAYS. OUR VISITORS ARE ALSO ABLE TO VIEW OUR AIRCRAFT COLLECTION AND SEE FLYING DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE AIRCRAFT. IT IS A ONE OF A KIND EXPERIENCE WHERE THE PUBLIC CAN SEE THE ORIGINAL UNIFORMS, MEMORABILIA, AND AIRCRAFT OF SOME THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS PILOTS, FROM WORLD WAR I, THE GOLDEN AGE OF AVIATION, AND WORLD WAR II.
- EVERY 3RD WEEKEND IN MAY, THE MUSEUM HOLDS A SPRING FLY-IN, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WITH 3-5,000 VISITORS IN ATTENDANCE. IT OFFERS LIVING HISTORY DEMONSTRATIONS, FREE MUSEUM TOURS, QUARTERLY GUEST SPEAKERS, AND FREE FLYING DEMONSTRATIONS OF WORLD WAR I AND WORLD WAR II AIRCRAFT.
- GROUP TOURS ARE OFFERED TIMES PER YEAR. THEY INCLUDE LUNCH, MUSEUM TOUR, AND A FLYING DEOMONSTRATION.
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
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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 2024.
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 1985.
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 October 21, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Lafayette Charter Foundation Inc (Lafayette, LA), EIN 46-1200082. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.