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Cardwell Family Foundation

EIN 92-0785987 · El Paso, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair66 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PURSUANT TO THE CARDWELL FAMILY FOUNDATION CERTIFICATE OF FORMATION,IT IS FORMED FOR THE PURPOSE OF (A) OPERATING EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC, LITERARY, OR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 501(C)(3) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE "CODE"); (B) OPERATING AS A SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION UNDER CODE SECTION 509(A)(3) IN CONNECTION WITH EL PASO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ("EPCF"), AN ORGANIZATION EXEMPT UNDER CODE SECTION 501(C)(3) AND NOT A PRIVATE FOUNDATION BY REASON OF ITS STATUS AS AN ORGANIZATION DESCRIBED IN CODE SECTION 509(A)(1); (C) MAKING GRANTS OR OTHER PAYMENTS TO EITHER EPCF, OR TO THAT CLASS OF PUBLICLY SUPPORTED ORGANIZATIONS FOR WHOSE BENEFIT EPCF EXISTS OR WITH WHOM IT SHARES A COMMON PURPOSE OR FUNCTION; AND (D) CONDUCTING OR OPERATING SUCH OTHER CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS WHICH THE CORPORATION DETERMINES WILL FURTHER OR FACILITATE THE CHARITABLE PURPOSES OF THE CORPORATION.

Income
$274,660
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
25.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 73%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$466,338, 2nd vice pres

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

Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 456% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 85% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 7 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

    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, 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 (1)
  1. $1.5 million spent. SUPPORTED VARIOUS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH DIRECT GRANT SUPPORT TO THE EL PASO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.

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 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 October 13, 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 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 November 2024.

    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 October 21, 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.