Telluride 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 TELLURIDE FOUNDATION (THE FOUNDATION) IS COMMITTED TO PRESERVING AND ENRICHING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE RESIDENTS, VISITORS AND WORKFORCE OF THE TELLURIDE REGION. THE FOUNDATION DOES THIS BY PROVIDING LEADERSHIP IN PHILANTHROPY, STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY GROUPS, SERVING AS A RESPONSIBLE STEWARD FOR ENTRUSTED FUNDS, AND SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES THAT CELEBRATE COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $6.9 million
- Spending
- $5.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 14.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 87%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 85
- Highest pay
- $273,303, president & ceo
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
Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 15% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2529 of 29 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
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 (2)
- $4.7 million spent. GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS - COMMUNITY AND SPECIAL INITIATIVE GRANTS FUNDED BY UNRESTRICTED AND RESTRICTED GIFTS FROM GENEROUS DONORS, THE FOUNDATION HAS AWARDED OVER $90 MILLION SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 2000. ANNUALLY THE COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM AWARDS APPROXIMATELY $1.2 MILLION THROUGH A COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM TO ELIGIBLE 501(C)(3) NONPROFITS THAT SERVE THE PEOPLE OF SAN MIGUEL, OURAY, AND WESTERN MONTROSE COUNTIES. THE COMMUNITY GRANTS ARE DECIDED BY A VOLUNTEER BOARD MEMBER GRANTS COMMITTEE.
- $172,236 spent. EDUCATION AND CONSULTING - THE FOUNDATION CONDUCTS WORKSHOPS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR NONPROFITS TO INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY, CAPABILITIES, EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS. SINCE THE FOUNDATION'S INCEPTION, IT HAS PROVIDED OVER 600 HOURS OF FREE OR SUBSIDIZED WORKSHOPS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO REGIONAL NONPROFITS. THE FOUNDATION WORKS DIRECTLY WITH DONORS AND PROSPECTS TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS ON PHILANTHROPY AND PROGRAM ISSUES AND CONDUCT RESEARCH INTO RELEVANT EMERGING ISSUES.
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 December 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.
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.