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Kcs Forward Foundation

EIN 85-1971507 · Kettering, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

our purpose is charitable and educational

Income
$112,553
Spending
$92,807
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
19.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
20

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% 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 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 69 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • 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

    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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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 (4)
  1. $40,253 spent. Building & Equipment Grants directly served over 1000 students, 50+ staff members, and countless families with the completion of an outdoor classroom at Oakview and the installation of a concrete pad and picnic tables for the KMS Gathering Space. Hundreds of student athletes and thousands of community members have enjoyed an elevated experience at Trent Arena thanks to the updated scoreboard and video board project which has created industry standard learning experiences for 10+ interactive media students.
  2. $8,946 spent. Community Outreach Projects directly served 50+ students and 10+ staff members per month through Supper Club; 175 students directly through Hope Squad and the entire middle school and high school student populations indirectly through Hope Squad; due to the community "adoption" of the Community Cupboards, it's impossible to count the number of students, staff and families served this way (but we do know that the cupboards were restocked at least twice a month, so the items were being used).
  3. $8,028 spent. Alumni Engagement served over 20,000 alumni and friends through communications, 125 alumni through events, and 300+ students had workforce experiences (career speakers, job shadows, lunch-and-learn visits) thanks to alumni partners.
  4. $19,071 spent. This year, we began partnering with a student-led community fundraiser, Spirit Chain, which is a competition between Kettering students and students from a neighboring community, Centerville. The KCS Forward Foundation accepted contributions on behalf of the student Spirit Chain competition. Funds were then redirected to the student chosen charities.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2022.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.