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Denver Lions Foundation

EIN 84-6025314 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ASSIST THE NEEDY WITH EYEGLASSES, PERSONAL ASSISTANCE,HEARING ASSISTANCE, AND SIGHT SCREENING FOR LOW INCOME CHILDREN AND VARIOUS SCHOOLS.

Income
$182,959
Spending
$169,230
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 85%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 294% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 62 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (3)
  1. $25,540 spent. THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES EYEGLASSES EACH MONTH TO BETWEEN 15 AND 20 LOWER INCOME TO INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO PROVIDES EYE EXAMS TO NEEDY INDIVIDUALS THROUGH AN OPHTHAMOLOGIST AND THE DENVER RESCUE MISSION. THE FOUNDATION ALSO HELPS FUND EYE SIGHT EXAMS AT VARIOUS SCHOOLS ATTENDED BY CHILDREN FROM LOWER INCOME FAMILIES. OVER 2000 CHILDREN ARE TESTED IN THIS PROGRAM KNOWN AS KIDSIGHT.
  2. $5,769 spent. THE FOUNDATION HELPS PERSONS IN NEED OF HEARING TESTING, AND HEARING AIDS. LOW INCOME TO INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS ARE REFERRED TO A FOUNDATION COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE THE NEED AND IF APPROVED PAYMENT TO ASSIST IN SECURING HEARING AIDS.
  3. $90,039 spent. DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO LOWER INCOME TO INDIGENT INDIVIDUALS FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, DOCTOR BILLS, HELP WITH RENT, SCHOOL CLOTHING FOR CHILDREN, HELP WITH BUYING GROCERIES. INDIVIDUALS ARE REFERRED TO THE FOUNDATION BY A COMMITTEE THAT SCREENS THE NEEDS TO ASSURE THAT THE PERSON TO RECEIVE HELP IS IN FACT NEEDY. THE FOUNDATION IS THE "COURT OF LAST RESORT" FOR MANY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS, WHERE THEY CAN GET DIRECT ASSISTANCE WITHOUT GOING THROUGH A LOT OF "BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE". ALSO ASSISTANCE TO A CHILD CARE CENTER FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES AND A RESIDENTIAL FACILITY FOR TROUBLED YOUTH THAT ARE IN NEED OF OUT OF HOME LIVING FACILTIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 June 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 January 1954.

    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 October 21, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Denver Foundation (Denver, CO), EIN 84-6048381. 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.