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Western Colorado Community Foundation Inc

EIN 84-1354894 · Grand Junction, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong95 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WESTERN COLORADO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AMPLIFIES THE GENEROSITY IN OUR COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING LEADERSHIP, CONNECTIONS, AND RESOURCES TO MEET THE EVER-EVOLVING NEEDS OF OUR WESTERN COLORADO HOME.

Income
$19.1 million
Spending
$12.5 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
18
Volunteers
110
Highest pay
$242,077, ceo/president

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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 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 (4)
  1. $10.7 million spent. WESTERN COLORADO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION EXISTS TO AMPLIFY THE GENEROSITY OF INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE REGION BY CONNECTING PEOPLE TO PURPOSE AND RESOURCES TO REAL COMMUNITY NEEDS. THROUGH LEADERSHIP, TRUSTED PARTNERSHIPS, AND STRATEGIC GRANTMAKING, WE HELP ADDRESS BOTH IMMEDIATE CHALLENGES AND LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITIES, ENSURING WESTERN COLORADO COMMUNITIES CAN ADAPT AND THRIVE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
  2. $34,754 spent. HUNGER RELIEF - THE WESTERN COLORADO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SUPPORTS A STRONGER, MORE COORDINATED RESPONSE TO HUNGER ACROSS OUR REGION. IN 2025, WE CONVENED THE MESA COUNTY HUNGER ALLIANCE TO STRENGTHEN COLLABORATION AMONG ORGANIZATIONS WORKING ON FOOD ACCESS. GENEROUS DONOR SUPPORT AND FLEXIBLE FUNDING ALLOWED US TO DISTRIBUTE FUNDS TO AID HUNGER RELIEF EFFORTS, INCLUDING EMERGENCY GRANTS TO HELP FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE SNAP BENEFIT FREEZE. THESE COMBINED EFFORTS ARE HELPING COMMUNITIES RESPOND TO IMMEDIATE NEEDS WHILE BUILDING LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS.
  3. $251,929 spent. YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING - RISING ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, SUBSTANCE USE, AND THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE CONTINUE TO CHALLENGE OUR COMMUNITIES. IN 2025, THE YOUTHSTRONG INITIATIVE FOCUSED ON BUILDING RESILIENCE AND SUPPORTING WELL-BEING THROUGH HEALTHY TECHNOLOGY USE AND LIFE SKILLS. THE HEADS UP PARENTING CAMPAIGN INTRODUCED TWO NEW CHARACTERS AND EXPANDED OUTREACH THROUGH BUS STOP FLYERS, RADIO SPOTS, AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES. EXPANDING INTO GARFIELD COUNTY, THE CAMPAIGN DREW ATTENTION FROM STATEWIDE FOUNDATIONS AND THE COLORADO ATTORNEY GENERAL.
  4. $81,948 spent. ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION, AND RECREATION - OUR ENVIRONMENT INITIATIVE, CORE, ADVANCES CONSERVATION, OUTDOOR RECREATION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP. IN 2025, WE CONNECTED DONORS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH SITE VISITS, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND AN ANNUAL GIVING CIRCLE TO FUND PROJECTS THAT PROTECT LANDSCAPES, EXPAND OUTDOOR ACCESS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES, AND PROMOTE CLEAN AIR, WATER, AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY.

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

  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 November 1996.

    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.