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Port Gamble Sklallam Foundation

EIN 91-1145489 · Kingston, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PORT GAMBLE S'KLALLAM FOUNDATION IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PORT GAMBLE S'KLALLAM TRIBAL MEMBERS WHILE INCREASING THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE TRIBE'S RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE WITH PEOPLE WHO RESIDE IN THE PUGET SOUND AREA AND VISITORS FROM FAR AND WIDE.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
10 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
0
Volunteers
72
Highest pay
$224,317, cfo

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: 83 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 61% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% 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 15% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    3 of 10 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

    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

    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 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 (2)
  1. $1.3 million spent. HERONSWOOD GARDEN: THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE MAINTENANCE AND ENHANCEMENT OF HERONSWOOD GARDEN, A 15-ACRE BOTANICAL GARDEN THAT COLLECTS, PROPAGATES, PRESERVES AND SHOWCASES PLANT SPECIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD AS WELL AS INDIGENOUS PACIFIC NORTHWEST PLANTS AND ENDANGERED TAXA OF THE OLYMPIC PENINSULA. HERONSWOOD COLLABORATES WITH ACADEMIC ORGANIZATIONS AND PUBLIC GARDENS AND PROVIDES A WIDE VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERIENCES FOR COMMUNITY, VISITORS, AND TRIBAL AND GARDEN MEMBERS WHILE ALSO STRIVING TO ENHANCE THE PUBLIC'S AWARENESS OF THE ROLE AND CULTURE OF THE PORT GAMBLE S'KLALLAM TRIBE. HERONSWOOD'S DISPLAY GARDENS HAVE BEEN FEATURED INTERNATIONALLY AS AN EXAMPLE OF CREATIVE, ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE, AND BOTANICALLY IMPRESSIVE PLANTSMANSHIP AND GARDEN DESIGN. GARDEN DEVELOPMENT IS GUIDED BY THE VISION AND GUIDANCE OF AN INDEPENDENT STEERING COMMITTEE, A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR MULTIYEAR DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH, A SKILLED, TRAINED, AND EXPERIENCED MANAGEMENT STAFF, AND A GROUP OF DEDICATED COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS. IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION RECEIVED GENEROUS SUPPORT FOR HERONSWOOD FROM A WIDE VARIETY OF DONORS, INCLUDING THE PORT GAMBLE S'KLALLAM TRIBE, PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS, CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS, GARDEN MEMBERS AND INDIVIDUALS TO ADDRESS: (1) INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS, INCLUDING EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT EXPANDED AND NEW GARDEN DISPLAYS/INSTALLATIONS AND PROGRAMMING (CLASSES, TOURS, PUBLIC EVENTS) AND (2) IMPROVING ADA ACCESSIBILITY IN THE GARDEN, PARTICULARLY FOR PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY ISSUES AND/OR REQUIRING MOBILITY ASSISTANCE DEVICES.IN 2024, THE FOUNDATION MAINTAINED ITS CONSERVATIVE APPROACH FOR FISCAL MANAGEMENT AND EXPENDITURES, FOCUSING ON CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIR AND SUPPORTS FOR HERONSWOOD GARDEN WHILE STRATEGICALLY INVESTING IN PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT ALSO INCREASED CAPACITY FOR FUTURE REVENUE GENERATION. GRANTS FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SOURCES WERE SECURED FOR PROJECTS ANTICIPATED TO (1) EXPAND CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAMMING FOR THE PORT GAMBLE S'KLALLAM TRIBE, (2) GROW CAPACITY FOR PUBLIC EVENTS, AND (3) IMPROVE AND IINCREASE PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE GARDEN AND ITS PROGRAM SERVICES.
  2. $34,818 spent. IN 2024 THE FOUNDATION COMPLETED A FUNDING CAMPAIGN FOR A MULTI-PURPOSE GREENHOUSE TO PROVIDE WORKSPACE AND SERVE PROGRAMMING NEEDS AT HERONSWOOD GARDEN. THIS PROJECT WAS THE CULMINATION OF A MULTIYEAR EFFORT TO REPLACE A DECAYING STRUCTURE AND ENSURE A SAFE AND PROFESSIONAL-GRADE FACILITY FOR STAFF, PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, AND VISITORS. THE TWO-ROOM GREENHOUSE WILL SUPPORT PROPAGATION AND PLANT WORK, CLASSES, AND PROGRAMS SERVING BOTH THE PORT GAMBLE S'KLALLAM TRIBAL COMMUNITY AND GENERAL PUBLIC. THERE IS A GROWING INTEREST IN S'KLALLAM ENTHNOBOTANY AND CULTURAL CLASSES REFLECTING THE UNIQUE ART AND TRADITIONS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST COAST SALISH TRIBES AND THE NEW GREENHOUSE WILL PROVIDE SPACE FOR TRIBAL AND PUBLIC CONVENINGS. THE NEW FACILITY WILL ALSO ALLOW EXISTING TRIBAL PROGRAMS TO EXPAND THEIR PARTICIPATION IN YEAR-ROUND ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING AT HERONSWOOD, INCLUDING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND ELEMENTARY (K-3) OUTDOOR LEARNING CLASSES..

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 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 2024.

    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 September 2002.

    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.