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Watson Links Mentors Foundation

EIN 92-3366897 · Overland Park, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair61 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO FACILITATE AND ENABLE INCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS AND AGES, ESPECIALLY YOUTH, TO PLAY GOLF WITH EXPERIENCED MENTORS AND THEREBY DEVELOP AN AFFINITY FOR PLAYING THE GAME OF GOLF AND EXPERIENCE ALL OF ITS ATTRIBUTES.

Income
$675,179
Spending
$489,352
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$132,538, executive director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 60% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% 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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    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 (2)
  1. $378,121 spent. IDENTIFYING AND CULTIVATING GROUPS OF PLAYER MENTEES YOUTH AGES 10-18, WITH ALL SKILL LEVELS AND BACKGROUNDS. IDENTIFYING EXPERIENCED PLAYERS INTERESTED IN MENTORING LESS EXPERIENCED PLAYERS AND FOSTERING AN INTEREST IN PLAYING GOLF. ARRANGING TEE TIMES FOR MENTORS AND PLAYERS TO MEET AT THE GOLF COURSE AND PLAY GOLF. PAYING FOR GREENS FEES AND APP DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE TO COORDINATE PLAYING TIMES BETWEEN MENTEES AND MENTORS.
  2. $50,000 spent. PROVIDING GOLF MENTORING SUPPORT FOR FIRST TEE CHAPTERS, WHICH PROVIDE GOLF PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH TO BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE, BY INSPIRING MORE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND EVENTS, COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, AND COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS.

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 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 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 September 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.

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.