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The Darien Foundation Inc

EIN 91-1949730 · Darien, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood84 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE DARIEN FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE GRANT FUNDING FOR TECHNOLOGY AND CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT CREATE OPPORTUNITY FOR DARIEN'S YOUTH, SUPPORT TOWN SAFETY AND SECURITY SERVICES, ENHANCE THE OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE IN DARIEN, AND OTHERWISE BENEFIT THE CITIZENS OF DARIEN, CONNECTICUT. THE GOAL IS TO OFFER A CENTRAL LOCATION FOR RESIDENTS AND CORPORATE DONORS WHO WISH TO SUPPORT WORTHY TOWN PROJECTS. THE FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING TECHNOLOGY AND CAPITAL INITIATIVES FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, EMERGENCY SERVICES, AND OTHER LOCAL OR TOWN ORGANIZATIONS. THE FOUNDATION'S BROAD AND DIVERSE BOARD OF DIRECTORS STRIVES TO APPLY A CONSISTENT METHODOLOGY IN REVIEWING GRANT REQUESTS AND HOLDING GRANT RECIPIENTS ACCOUNTABLE. THE MAJORITY OF THE FOUNDATION'S REVENUES COME FROM CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC.

Income
$681,735
Spending
$782,007
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
46.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
1
Volunteers
0

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

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 46.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $314,185 spent. THE DARIEN LIBRARY TEEN/TWEEN CENTER - ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT PLANS FUNDING FOR THE TWEEN & TEEN LIBRARY CENTER CAPITAL PROJECT
  2. $161,600 spent. MATHER HOMESTEAD FOUNDATION - FOR INSTALLATION OF A NEW HIGH-VELOCITY DUCTED AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
  3. $60,815 spent. THE DARIEN LIBRARY - FOR INSTALLATION OF MEETING ROOMS AND PODS.
  4. $95,714 spent. ALLOCATED SALARIES AND PAYROLL TAXES $40,193 AND ADVERTISING $6,468. REDUCTION FOR THE DIFFERENCE OF ACTUAL GRANT EXPENSES INCURRED VERSUS GRANT AMOUNT AWARDED.

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 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 June 2025.

    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 March 1999.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: The Foundation (Houston, TX), EIN 92-0742101. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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