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Olympia-Tumwater Foundation

EIN 91-0741161 · Tumwater, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceWeak21 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Honoring the Schmidt family legacy, our mission is to create generational memories, promote overall wellbeing, and provide inspiration for community members and visitors alike through education, preservation, and enhancement of the areas natural and historic environment.

Income
$485,056
Spending
$925,186
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 51%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$140,713, executive dir.

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

Good: 82 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 91% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Weak: 21 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 14 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (3)
  1. $315,838 spent. Opened in 1962 as a gift to the South Sound community, Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls combines spectacular scenery with historical significance situated along the banks of the last quarter mile of the Deschutes River. The Park receives over 250,000 visitors each year and is one of the largest privately owned parks in Washington State. Every fall, thousands of visitors and school students witness the majestic salmon working their way up the river during their annual migration.
  2. $182,394 spent. The Foundation also owns and operates the historic Schmidt House built in 1904 by Leopold Schmidt, founder of the Olympia Brewing Company. The home is made available to various nonprofit, cultural, educational and historic organizations in support of their mission. Also located in the House are the Foundation archives which serve as a repository for artifacts, documents, and objects preserving the memory and legacy of the Schmidt family and the Olympia Brewing Company as well as supporting and promoting the architectural and cultural heritage of the Tumwater Historic District.
  3. $135,417 spent. Since 1966, the Olympia Tumwater Foundation has been offering scholarships to graduating seniors from Thurston County high schools and has become a major scholarship source in the community. The program has aided more than 500 local students with over $2.0M applied toward their continuing education.

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 March 1953.

    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.