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Our Towns Civic Foundation Inc

EIN 85-0569508 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair51 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THE FOUNDATION IS TO MAKE THE SUCCESS OF A RENEWABLE ERA MORE PROBABLE. TOWARD THIS END WE WILL REPORT ON AND SHARE THE STORIES OF LOCAL INNOVATORS; DISTILL AND SHARE THE LESSONS OF THEIR SUCCESSES (OR FAILURES); PROMOTE CONNECTIONS AMONG LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY, IN VIRTUAL AND REAL-WORLD VENUES; ENCOURAGE NEW JOURNALISTIC MODELS (AND TECHNOLOGIES) TO COVER LOCAL STORIES AND THEIR IMPLICATION; AND IN OTHER WAYS TO HELP NOW-DISCONNECTED INNOVATORS AND REFORMERS REALIZE THAT THEY ARE PART OF SOMETHING LARGER.

Income
$36,118
Spending
$28,617
Spent on programs
43%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$5,000, chair

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

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

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: 51 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $12,275 spent. - CONTINUED REPORTING ON CIVIL-RENEWAL EFFORTS AROUND THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING THROUGH UPDATES ON THE OUR TOWNS CIVIC FOUNDATION WEBSITE, AND ITS REGULAR NEWSLETTER- KEYNOTE SPEAKING ROLES, AND PANEL-MODERATING ROLES, AT NUMEROUS PUBLIC AND UNIVERSITY EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY. THESE RANGED FROM SOUTH DAKOTA, WITH A STATE-GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED STATEWIDE SERIES OF "CIVIC ENGAGEMENT" LECTURES; TO FLORIDA, WITH A KEYNOTE ROLE AT A MAJOR EVENT IN WHICH ACADEMICS, LOCAL OFFICIALS, INSURANCE-INDUSTRY OFFICIALS HAD A FIRST-EVER MEETING TO COMBINE PLANS FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE; TO CALIFORNIA, WHICH MAIN-STAGE PRESENTATIONS ON USING DIGITAL TOOLS FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT; TO BOSTON, NEW YORK, AND WASHINGTON DC, AT FORUMS AND LARGE-SCALE MEETINGS.- STRATEGIC-ADVISING SERVICES, ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS, TO MAJOR US FOUNDATIONS AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS. THESE INCLUDE THE MACARTHUR AND KNIGHT FOUNDATIONS, AND THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES.- SPEAKING AT EVENTS TIED TO THE HBO MOVIE OUR TOWNS.- CONNECTING INNOVATORS AROUND THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY IN THIS PAST YEAR THOSE INVOLVED IN: LOCAL LIBRARIES; LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGES; AND LOCAL OR STATEWIDE PUBLIC-ARTS PROJECTS.

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 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 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 June 2020.

    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.

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.