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Jefferson Community Foundation

EIN 84-1682682 · Port Townsend, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

JCF CONNECTS PEOPLE, IDEAS, AND RESOURCES TO BUILD A FUTURE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
24.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
7
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$128,140, 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 77% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 24.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 26% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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. $2.1 million spent. JEFFERSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INSPIRES DONORS TO INVEST IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AND TO ACHIEVE THEIR CHARITABLE GOALS FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION THROUGH GRANT MAKING, ENLIGHTENED CIVIC LEADERSHIP AND STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS. JCF ALSO SERVES AS A REGULAR CONVENOR OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SO THEY CAN COLLABORATE EFFECTIVELY AND BUILD STRONGER AND MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEMS. JCF HOSTS KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGES, NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES AND CAPACITY BUILDING TRAININGS FOR DONORS AND NONPROFITS. JCF PROVIDES UPDATES TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF LOCAL NEEDS. BY BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO WORK ON COMMON CAUSES THEY CARE ABOUT, THE COMMUNITY IS STRONGER AND MORE RESILIENT. JEFFERSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION STRENGTHENS OUR COMMUNITY AND HELPS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL (DESCRIPTION CONTINUED ON SCH O) THROUGH GENEROSITY, DIVERSITY, AND TOGETHERNESS.

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 2024.

    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 August 2006.

    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.