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Salem Leadership Foundation

EIN 93-1215089 · Salem, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE ENGAGE PEOPLE-OF-FAITH AND PEOPLE-OF-GOODWILL TO TRANSFORM SALEM-KEIZER NEIGHBORHOOD BY NEIGHBORHOOD. OUR PARTNERSHIPS INCREASE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF KIDS, FAMILIES, SCHOOLS AND NEIGHBORHOODS, ESPECIALLY THOSE MOST IN NEED. OUR VISION IS THAT SALEM-KEIZER WILL BECOME THE HEALTHIEST COMMUNITY IN OREGON, TRULY A CITY OF SHALOM (PEACE AND WELL-BEING).

Income
$691,141
Spending
$776,009
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
14
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$100,235, executive director

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

Financial health

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 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

    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 September 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 (1)
  1. $518,619 spent. THE CHURCHES AS NEIGHBORHOOD (CAN) CENTERS PROGRAM IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF CHURCHES TO SERVE THEIR SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS. BUILDINGS, CLASSROOMS AND GYMS THAT ONCE SAT DARK AND UNUSED, ARE NOW VIBRANT PROVIDERS OF AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, GED AND ENGLISH CLASSES, DRUG-AND-ALCOHOL RECOVERY, FOOD AND CLOTHING BANKS, JOB TRAINING, COMMUNITY GARDENS, AND HOMELESS OUTREACH. THERE ARE NOW 26 SITES THAT SLF HAS CONTRACTED WITH AND ANOTHER 30-35 WHO HAVE BEEN INSPIRED TO SERVE ON THEIR OWN, BASED ON THE PROGRAMMATIC TEMPLATE. MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE ARE SERVED EACH YEAR.THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP TEAMS (CPTS) ARE GROUPS OF STAKEHOLDERS THAT MEET MONTHLY TO ASSESS NEEDS AND PLAN PROGRAMS WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS. CPTS ARE ORGANIZED AROUND THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE HIGH-SCHOOL FEEDER DISTRICT, AND SLF CURRENTLY STEWARDS THREE CPTS: NORTH NEIGHBORHOODS, SOUTH SALEM CONNECT, AND CAPES (MCKAY AREA). EACH CPT CONNECTS WITH 15-25 PARTNERS AND HELPS RAISE RESOURCES AND VOLUNTEERS FOR 6-10 PROGRAMS EACH YEAR, NOT TO MENTION SEASONAL AND CULTURAL EVENTS THAT BUILD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSETS AND EFFICACY. EACH CPT IMPACTS 1,000+ YOUTH AND FAMILIES PER YEAR AND LEVERAGES RESOURCES AND VOLUNTEER TIME WORTH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.SALEM FOR REFUGEES IS A NETWORK OF PEOPLE, PARTNERS AND ORGANIZATIONS ESTABLISHED TO SERVE 'OUR NEW NEIGHBORS' WHO ARE ARRIVING FROM 13 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES DUE TO FAMINE, WAR, PERSECUTION AND DISASTER. DOZENS OF FAMILIES ARE RESETTLED AND SUPPORTED EACH YEAR WITH HOUSING, JOBS, SCHOOL PLACEMENTS AND SOCIAL SERVICES.CHURCH AT THE PARK SEEKS: 1.TO RESTORE DIGNITY AND RELIEVE HUNGER THROUGH SHARED MEALS.2.TO INTENTIONALLY LISTEN TO THE STORIES OF THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, WHILE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO AFFIRM ASSETS AND MOTIVATION.3.TO ASK THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS ABOUT CURRENT GOALS AND PRAY FOR EVERY NEED WE CAN.4.TO MEET CRITICAL NEEDS OF SHELTER AND CLOTHING THROUGH RELATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS.5.TO INCREASE OUR ADVOCACY, AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING, AND LOVE FOR THE HOMELESS IN SALEM.6.TO INVITE ALL WHO JOIN US TO SERVANTHOOD AND LEADERSHIP.7.TO SAY NO TO VIOLENCE, AND YES TO MAKING PEACE AS A COMMUNITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 January 1997.

    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.