Wet Mountain Valley Community Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
COMMUNITY GRANTS AND SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THE WET MOUNTAIN VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION STRENGTHENS TAX EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS AND PROVIDES DONORS WITH CHARITABLE GIVING OPTIONS.
- Income
- $1.0 million
- Spending
- $785,058
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- 13.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 72%
- Employees
- 0
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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
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 (16)
- $466,535 spent. THE WET MOUNTAIN VALLEY COMMUNITY SPIRIT CAMPAIGN RAISES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR CUSTER COUNTY TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH THE SOLICITATION OF INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS TO SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONS. A PERCENTAGE OF THE DONATIONS RECEIVED ARE MATCHED BY WMVCF, AND THE TOTAL DISBURSED DIRECTLY TO THE ORGANIZATIONS DESIGNATED BY THE DONORS. THESE GRANTS AND GIFTS SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY IN VARIOUS WAYS. PRIMARILY THROUGH THIS CAMPAIGN, WMVCF HAS DISTRIBUTED OVER $6 MILLION TO JUST OVER 100 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN CUSTER COUNTY SINCE THE FOUNDING OF THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT CAMPAIGN IN 1999. GRANTS AND GIFTS HAVE BEEN TO THE ARTS, EDUCATION, RECREATION, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, EMERGENCY SERVICES, HEALTH CARE, LAND CONSERVATION AND RELATED FIELDS OF SERVICE.
- $80,782 spent. THE HIGH MOUNTAIN HAY FEVER CHILDRENS HEALTH FUND IS MANAGED THROUGH A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WITH THE WMVCF. FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH A YEARLY GRANT PROCESS. A COMMITTEE OF HEALTH AWARE COMMUNITY MEMBERS IS APPOINTED TO ADMINISTER A GRANT CYCLE PROCESS FOR CHILDRENS PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND EDUCATIONAL HEALTH NEEDS FOR CHILDREN, AGES BIRTH TO 18 YEARS. CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE CHILDRENS HEALTH FUND IS BUOYED BY YEARLY GRANTS FROM THE HIGH MOUNTAIN HAY FEVER BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION AND OTHER PRIVATE DONATIONS.
- $69,394 spent. THE FOUNDATION MAKES MANY ONE-TIME GRANTS TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AS THE NEED ARISES. THE FOUNDATION ALSO OFFERS EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO THE VALLEYS NUMEROUS NON-PROFIT ENTITIES.
- $40,293 spent. THE WMVCF OVERSEES THE REBECCA SAMUELSON FUND FOR THE ARTS. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES FUNDING FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITES IN THE ARTS BASED ON A GRANT APPLICATION AND REVIEW PROCESS. THE GOAL OF THIS FUND IS TO PROVIDE AN ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS IN CUSTER COUNTY.
- $32,579 spent. THE SUCCESSION AND SUSTAINABILITY FUND (SAS) WAS ESTABLISHED TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM PLANNING AND SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS FOR THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND OUR CUSTER COUNTY NONPROFIT COMMUNITY. SUCH EFFORTS MAY INCLUDE BOARD EDUCATION, CONSULTATIONS, STRATEGIC PLANNING, AND DEVELOPMENT.
- $15,353 spent. AS PART OF THE FOUNDATIONS 25TH ANNIVERSARY, THE FOUNDATION LAUNCHED THE $25K FOR 25TH YEAR YOUTH IN PHILANTHROPY INITIATIVE, WITH THE GOAL OF RECRUITING THE COMMUNITYS YOUNG ADULTS TO ENGAGE WITH THE LOCAL NON-PROFIT SECTOR AND TO HELP AWARD $25,000 IN COMMUNITY GRANTS.
- $14,741 spent. THE FOUNDATION OVERSEES GRANT FUNDS RECEIVED BY THE CUSTER COUNTY KIDS COUNCIL (CCKC). THROUGH A COLLABORATIVE OF OVER 20 LOCAL AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS, THE GOAL OF CCKC IS TO PROVIDE A LOCAL COMPREHENSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM SO ALL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO QUALITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT ENSURE EVERY CHILD IN CUSTER COUNTY IS HEALTHY, VALUED, THRIVING, AND READY TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND THROUGHOUT LIFE.
- $13,437 spent. THE WMVCF SPONSORS THE EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION COMMITTEE. THE EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION FUND IS A DESIGNATED FUND WITHIN THE WMVCF AND WAS FOUNDED TO HELP ADDRESS PRESSING EDUCATIONAL NEEDS FOR OUR COMMUNITY YOUTH THAT FALL OUTSIDE THE RESOURCES PROVIDED BY THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. THE RESULT IS A THREE-WAY PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMITTEE, THE WMVCF, AND THE C-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT OF CUSTER COUNTY. THE COMMITTEES ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE: NEW MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM IN GRADES 1-9; SUPPORT FOR DIGITAL CURRICULUM; TEACHER TRAINING; SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS PROGRAMS; SUPPLIES INCLUDING TEXTBOOKS, CALCULATORS, CHROMEBOOKS, AND PROJECTORS; VOLUNTEER COORDINATION; AND THE ADOPT-A-CLASS PROGRAM.
- $13,268 spent. THE WMVCF ADMINISTERS THE VALLEY STRONG FUND. THE DESIGNATED PURPOSE OF THE VALLEY STRONG FUND IS TO FOSTER AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY BUILDING BY SUPPORTING EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, PROGRAMS AND EVENTS WHICH CELEBRATE AND ADVANCE COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS. THE ANNUAL VALLEY STRONG DINNER, THE CAR SHOW AND THE CHRISTMAS PARADE ARE ALL EXAMPLES OF EVENTS SPONSORED BY THE FUND. THE FUND MAY ALSO PROVIDE SERVICES OR SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: PROVIDING EDUCATION IN THE FORM OF PUBLIC MEETINGS, EVENTS, READING GROUPS, ARTICLES, SOCIAL MEDIA AND WORKSHOPS, WITH A FOCUS ON COMMUNITY BUILDING AND GROWTH; AND ENCOURAGING LOCAL, COMMUNITY-BASED YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING VIA GRANTS OR EDUCATION.
- $8,302 spent. THE BLUFF AND SUMMIT PARKS, AT THE WEST END OF MAIN STREET IN WESTCLIFFE, PROVIDE SWEEPING VIEWS OF THE WET MOUNTAIN VALLEY AND THE SANGRE DE CRISTO MOUNTAINS. THE BLUFF AND SUMMIT PARKS ARE OWNED BY THE TOWN OF WESTCLIFFE AND COLORADO OPEN LANDS HOLDS THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT. AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE, MADE UP OF MEMBERS OF LOCAL NONPROFITS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, OVERSEES PROPOSED PROJECTS FOR THE PARKS.
- $5,924 spent. THE WET MOUNTAIN VALLEY YOUTH WELLNESS FUND IS A NEW INITIATIVE OF THE FOUNDATION, CREATED TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT PROMOTE THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SOCIAL WELLNESS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN CUSTER COUNTY. ROOTED IN THE BELIEF THAT A THRIVING COMMUNITY BEGINS WITH HEALTHY CHILDREN AND TEENS, THIS FUND SEEKS TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH BY INVESTING IN ACTIVITIES THAT BUILD RESILIENCE, CONFIDENCE, AND CONNECTION, FROM AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS TO MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND OUTDOOR RECREATION.
- $5,602 spent. THE WMVCF MAINTAINS A SPACE FOR OTHER NON-PROFITS TO USE.
- $1,402 spent. SEATED AT THE BASE OF THE MAGNIFICENT SANGRE DE CRISTO RANGE AND SURROUNDED BY THE LUSH HAY MEADOWS OF THE WET MOUNTAIN VALLEY, THE ULA CEMETERY PROVIDES A DRAMATIC YET TRANQUIL SETTING FOR A FINAL RESTING PLACE. THE ULA CEMETERY PERPETUAL FUND WILL ENSURE THE CEMETERY MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP NEEDS ARE MET WELL INTO THE FUTURE.
- $156 spent. THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND IS OUR MOST STRATEGIC GIVING OPPORTUNITY. CREATED BY LOCAL CITIZENS WHO POSSESS GREAT CARE AND CONCERN FOR THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY, THE FUND FULLY ALIGNS WITH OUR VISION OF A THRIVING, RESILIENT, SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY. THE FUND AIMS TO IDENTIFY AND FACILITATE THE NEXT BIG THING THAT WOULD MOVE THE VALLEY TO A NEW LEVEL OF SUSTAINABILITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL. THE COMMITTEE THAT DIRECTS THIS FUND WILL RESEARCH AND CHOOSE HIGH-LEVERAGE INITIATIVES THAT ADDRESS COMMUNITY PRIORITIES AND OFFER TRANSFORMATIONAL IMPACT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
- $97 spent. THE COMMUNITY GRANTMAKING FUND EMPOWERS DONORS TO STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH SHARED, HIGH-IMPACT GRANTMAKING. INSTEAD OF ESTABLISHING AN INDIVIDUAL DONOR-ADVISED FUND, DONORS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A COLLABORATIVE POOL THAT SUPPORTS LOCAL NONPROFITS ACROSS A RANGE OF NEEDS, FROM ANIMAL WELFARE AND EDUCATION TO ARTS, HEALTH, AND LAND PRESERVATION.
- $43 spent. THE LANDING WELL FUND WAS LAUNCHED IN FEBRUARY 2025 TO CONNECT SENIORS IN THE WET MOUNTAIN VALLEY WITH LOCAL WELLNESS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS. THE WEBSITE WWW.LANDINGWELLWMV.ORG FEATURES SUMMARIES AND CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PROVIDERS ACROSS ESSENTIAL AREAS OF DAILY LIFE HOME AND PERSONAL CARE, TRANSPORTATION, NUTRITION, HEALTHCARE, LIFESTYLE AND WELLNESS, AND NAVIGATING TRANSITIONS.
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? 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 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 March 2000.
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.
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