The Brandon Foundation Incorporated

What it reported doing in 2024

The Brandon Foundation is a transformational youth development organization committed to unlocking the full potential of underserved children and teens in Fort Wayne. Grounded in the belief that every young person is created with purpose and promise, the Foundation equips students with the tools, support, and opportunities they need to rise above barriers and build meaningful, self-determined futures. Through a long-term, relationship-centered model, the Brandon Foundation walks alongside students from elementary school through high school graduation and beyond. Its holistic after-school and mentorship program provides academic support, leadership development, life skills training, and consistent, caring mentorship. Within a safe and empowering environment, students are challenged to grow in confidence, character, and vision-learning not only to succeed, but to lead. A defining element of the program is its commitment to educational advancement. Every graduating senior is supported with a scholarship, reinforcing the Foundation's belief in their potential and investing in their next chapter. This financial support, paired with years of mentorship and preparation, positions students to pursue higher education, vocational pathways, or career opportunities with confidence and clarity. The Brandon Foundation's impact is deeply generational. Many graduates return as staff and mentors, embodying what is possible and pouring back into the next generation. This powerful cycle of empowerment transforms not only individual lives, but families and the broader community. By combining unwavering support, high expectations, and intentional investment, the Brandon Foundation is not just shaping outcomes-it is cultivating leaders, strengthening futures, and building a legacy of generational change.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 28.8%; rating input score 29
• Program expense ratio: 65.2%; rating input score 65
• Fundraising efficiency: $14.9 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 50; 50th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 91.2%; rating input score 91; 53rd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 3 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 38
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 59.4%; rating input score 94; 94th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 4.68; rating input score 78; 78th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.01; rating input score 42; 42nd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 33.8%; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 6.5% per year; rating input score 100; 60th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 19.2% per year; rating input score 100; 87th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 23.6% per year; rating input score 100; 88th percentile among comparable filings