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Sandia Foundation

EIN 85-6009907 · Albuquerque, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GENERATE INCOME FROM REAL ESTATE AND SECURITIES INVESTMENTS AND DISTRIBUTE FUNDS TO THE FOUNDATION'S BENEFICIARIES. THE DISTRIBUTIONS ARE TO DICKINSON COLLEGE, THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO, AND ALBUQUERQUE CHARITIES PER THE WILL OF HUGH B. WOODWARD.

Income
$8.3 million
Spending
$5.7 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 62%
Employees
3
Highest pay
$347,154, president &

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. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 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 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 (2)
  1. $4.5 million spent. DISTRIBUTIONS TO BE PAID TO THE FOLLOWING BEFICIARIES: DICKINSON COLLEGE - 1,890,000 REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO - 1,890,000 OTHER BENEFICIARIES - 424,500
  2. LIST OF SPECIFIC DONATIONS MADE TO OTHER BENEFICIARIES DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025: ABQ GOD'S HOUSE CHURCH COMMUNITY PROGRAM 2,500 AFRICAN AMERICAN CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FUND 500 ALBUQUERQUE ACADEMY 1,250 ALBUQUERQUE CONCERT BAND 500 ALBUQUERQUE OASIS 25,000 ANDERSON ABRUZZO INTERNATIONAL BALLOON MUSEUM FOUNDATION 7,500 ANIMAL HUMANE NEW MEXICO 2,250 ANNUAL CATHOLIC APPEAL 500 APS EDUCATION FOUNDATION 14,750 ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF ALBUQUERQUE 25,000 BARRETT FOUNDATION, INC 25,000 BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL NEW MEXICO 10,000 BIRTHRIGHT OF ALBUQUERQUE 500 CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN 1,000 CATHOLIC CHARITIES 15,000 CNM FOUNDATION 2,500 COACH MIKE PAPA BROWN MSA SCHOLARSHIP FUND 5,000 CUIDANDO LOS NINOS 10,000 ENLACE COMUNITARIO 25,000 EXPLORA SCIENCE CENTER & CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF ALBUQUERQUE 16,000 HERO'S PATH PALLIATIVE CARE ABQ 2,500 HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 1,000 HORIZONS ALBUQUERQUE 10,000 IMAGINE NEW MEXICO 5,000 JOY JUNCTION 1,250 JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NEW MEXICO 10,000 KESHET DANCE COMPANY 10,000 LIBROS FOR KIDS, INC 7,500 LIFEQUEST USA INC. 7,500 MANDY'S FARM 10,000 MANZANO DAY SCHOOL 2,500 NATIONAL ATOMIC MUSEUM FOUNDATION 7,500 NATIONAL DANCE INSTITUTE OF NEW MEXICO 15,000 NATIONAL HISPANIC CULTURAL CENTER FOUNDATION 10,000 NEW DAY YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES 10,000 NEW MEXICO KIDS MATTER 10,000 NOTAH BEGAY FOUNDATION 2,500 OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY CHURCH 500 PEGASUS LEGAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN 10,000 PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS 10,000 PRESBYTERIAN EAR INSTITUTE 15,000 ROADRUNNER FOOD BANK 12,500 SARANAM 26,500 SILVER HORIZONS NEW MEXICO 10,000 ST. JOSEPH'S MISSION SCHOOL 500 THE GRIEF CENTER; CHILDREN'S GRIEF CENTER OF NEW MEXICO 25,000 UNM FOUNDATION 2,500 TOTAL 424,500

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 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 June 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 October 1957.

    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.