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Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Foundation

EIN 88-4376416 · Westminster, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong92 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CARROLL COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO FOSTERING LEADERSHIP, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND EXCELLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS, MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES, WE EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL, CULTIVATE THEIR TALENTS, AND TO LEAD AND INNOVATE IN CARROLL COUNTY.

Income
$227,209
Spending
$149,143
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
7.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 64%
Employees
2
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$146,093, president

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

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 34% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $60,715 spent. WE HOST AN ANNUAL OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARDS EVENT THAT RECOGNIZES APPROXIMATELY 500 PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AT AN EVENT WHERE ALMOST 1,000 PEOPLE ATTEND. THS PLANNING OF THIS EVENT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 4 MONTHS. THE CHAMBER FOUNDATION AWARDS THREE SCHOLARSHIPS ANNUALLY TO TEACHERS PURSUING A MASTERS DEGREE IN EDUCATION OR ATTENDING TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT ENHANCE THEIR TEACHING AND BENEFIT THEIR STUDENTS.
  2. $9,385 spent. PUBLIC SAFETY AWARDS: THIS ANNUAL EVENT RECOGNIZES LOCAL POLICE, FIRE, AND FIRST RESPONDERS WITH OVER 250 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE. THE PLANNING FOR THIS EVENT IS VERY INVOLVED AND BEGINS 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE EVENT ITSELF. IT IS FILMED BY LOCAL MEDIA AND PLAYED NUMEROUS TIMES ON LOCAL CABLE, AS WELL AS BEING POSTED ON THE FOUNDATION WEBSITE.
  3. $79,043 spent. WE SUPPORT AN ANNUAL CARROLL COUNTY WOMEN'S CONFERENCE WHICH IS A LARGE EVENT TO PROMOTE ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO LOCAL WOMEN. APPROXIMATELY 300 WOMEN ATTEND THIS ANNUAL EVENT TO HEAR NUMEROUS SPEAKERS IN BREAKOUT GROUPS. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED TO WOMEN PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION AT LOCAL COLLEGES, INCLUDING CARROLL COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND MCDANIEL COLLEGE. THE COMMITTEE ALSO AWARDS AN ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR A PARTICIPANT IN CARROLL COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LEADERSHIP CARROLL.

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

  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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 2023.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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