The Commons Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE COMMONS FOUNDATION PROVIDES FUNDING AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO SIGNIFICANTLY EXPAND HOUSING OPTIONS FOR THOSE INTEGRAL TO THE TOWN'S VIBRANCYFOCUSING ON ATTAINABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP AND RENTAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW TO MODERATE-INCOME RESIDENTS, SENIORS,AND THE LOCAL WORKFORCE. WE ACCELERATE PROGRESS BY SUPPORTING HOMEOWNERS, FOUNDATION-LED INITIATIVES TO CREATE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WHILE PROVIDING ESSENTIAL EDUCATION ON THE FINANCIAL PATH TO LONG-TERM HOUSING AND ECONOMIC STABILITY.
- Income
- $1.5 million
- Spending
- $69,550
- Spent on programs
- 34%
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 97%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 10
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 95% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1534% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $7,618 spent. "TCF HOME PROGRAM: THIS IS OUR PRIMARY DEVELOPMENT ARM, FOCUSED ON INCREASING THE HOUSING STOCK AVAILABLE TO OUR PROGRAM BENEFICIARIES. WE IDENTIFY AND ACQUIRE STRATEGIC LAND OR EXISTING STRUCTURES-SUCH AS THE 209 LONG HIGHWAY PROJECT- TO CREATE NEW OR REFURBISH HOMES THAT "FIT" THE LOCAL LANDSCAPE AND SELL THEM AT BELOW MARKET RATES.
- $13,757 spent. "TCF LOAN PROGRAM: THE TCF LOAN PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS FOR QUALIFIED HOUSEHOLDS SEEKING TO BUILD, BUY OR RENOVATE HOMES. LOAN PURPOSES INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION, OR DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE.
- $2,035 spent. "TCF EDUCATION PROGRAM: WE PROVIDE A PUBLIC FINANCIAL LITERACY SERIES. THIS PROGRAM EQUIPS PROSPECTIVE BUYERS AND HOMEOWNERS WITH THE TOOLS TO MANAGE PERSONAL FINANCES AND NAVIGATE WORKING WITH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, ENSURING THEY ARE PREPARED FOR LONG-TERM HOMEOWNERSHIP. ATTENDEES AT OUR WORKSHOPS HAVE INCLUDED LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, EDUCATORS, RETIREES, LOCAL WORKERS, AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS. IN 2025, WE HELD THE FIRST OF FOUR PLANNED SESSIONS: CREDIT 101
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: The Community Foundation Inc (Richmond, VA), EIN 23-7009135. 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.
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.