Fairways to Leadership Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 40% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in business through golf.
- Income
- $300,525
- Spending
- $214,900
- Spent on programs
- 40%
- Reserves
- 18.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 19
- Volunteers
- 60
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 18.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 55% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1540% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $77,341 spent. Golf Academy The organization provided weekly golf lessons from PGA and LPGA professional instructors. The lessons covered skills needed for the tee box, fairways and greens on the course. FairWays to Leadership served approximately 211 college aged students with a specific emphasis on students from underserved communities. This year, the program was able to expand to 8 states and Washington DC, doubling the number of locations from the previous year. 12 U.S. colleges now participate in the program.
- $7,728 spent. Leadership Academy The organization provided leadership training to students in the program through two avenues. The first resource is a 6 module online podcast training course including topics such as leadership at the clubhouse, practice area, tee box, fairway, green and at the 19th hole. The modules end with the opportunity for students to write reflections regarding their learning. The second resource provided is through FairWays to Leadership Executive Forum interviews with executives and workshops focusing on leadership topics. This year, FairWays provided the podcast series to approximately 211students and the Executive Forums to approximately 400 students.
- $830 spent. Alumni Development The organization invites alumni to attend the FairWays to Leadership Executive Forum interviews for continued education. In addition, alumni are able to receive paid internships or be hired as paid campus ambassadors for the program. This year, FairWays to Leadership hired six alumni through the internship program, holding the positions of Accounting Coordination Intern, Golf Operations Intern, Marketing Intern and Partnerships Coordinator Intern. Additionally, six alumni were hired as the Campus Ambassadors across several campuses.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.