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Architectural Foundation of Oregon

EIN 93-0822389 · Portland, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ARCHITECTURE FOUNDATION OF OREGON EDUCATES AND INSPIRES OREGONIANS OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS TO ENGAGE IN THE DESIGN OF OUR BUILT ENVIRONMENT.

Income
$459,681
Spending
$541,012
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
18.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
5
Volunteers
282

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

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    26 of 26 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

    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

    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, 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 (4)
  1. $165,652 spent. ARCHITECTS IN SCHOOL: OVER 150 DESIGN PROFESSIONALS PARTNER WITH TEACHERS IN OVER 150 OREGON CLASSROOMS TO PROVIDE SIX-WEEK RESIDENCIES FOR OVER 5,000 THIRD THROUGH FIFTH GRADERS. ARCHITECT/TEACHER TEAMS DEVELOP CUSTOMIZED CURRICULUM FROM AFO'S GUIDE CONNECTING THE STUDY OF ARCHITECTURE WITH LEARNING GOALS IN MATH, SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES, ART, AND OTHER SUBJECT AREAS. EXHIBITS OF THE STUDENT WORK WERE ORGANIZED IN THE FIVE METRO AREAS SERVED. RELATIONSHIPS WITH DESIGN PROFESSIONALS AND TEACHERS WERE EXPANDED IN SERVICE AREAS ACROSS THE STATE.
  2. $25,000 spent. VAN EVERA BAILEY FELLOWSHIP:ONE FELLOWSHIPS WAS AWARDED TO A MID-CAREER PROFESSIONAL. THE FELLOW CONDUCTED RESEARCH TO PRODUCE A COMPREHENSIVE HOW-TO GUIDE TO ADVANCE TRAIN REPURPOSING AS A SCALABLE MODEL FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT THE REGION.
  3. $47,167 spent. HATFIELD ARCHITECTURAL AWARD: SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO TWO ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS ATTENDING UNIVERSITY OF OREGON COMMITTED TO COMMUNITY SERVICE.WILLIAM HART SCHOLARSHIP: SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO A BIPOC ARCHITECTURE STUDENT ENTERING THEIR LAST YEAR AT UNIVERSITY OF OREGON.TSAGAGLALAL (SHE WHO WATCHES) SCHOLARSHIP: SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO THREE ART STUDENTS AND ONE ARCHITECTURE STUDENT ATTENDING PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY.PCC ARCHITECTURE + INTERIOR DESIGN SCHOLARSHIP: SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO A FIRST-GENERATION STUDENT STUDYING INTERIOR DESIGN AT PORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
  4. $63,366 spent. OTHER GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS

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 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 2024.

    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 1983.

    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.