Downing Street Foundation

The information for Downing Street Foundation is as of the organization's most recent filing in December '19. This organization is located in Denver, CO. It has been in existence for 32 years, following its founding in 1987.

Organization Classification

The IRS classifies organizations according to the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) system. The NTEE system helps the IRS assign a 3-character code to each organization to describe the organization's activities.

The Downing Street Foundation's NTEE code is T30. The "T" tells us that the organization is classified along with Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations. The "30" tells us that the organization is a Public Foundation. The NTEE describes Public Foundations as organizations that derive their funding or support primarily from the general public in carrying out their social, educational, religious or other charitable activities serving the common welfare. Although public foundations may provide direct charitable services to the public as other nonprofits do, their primary focus is on grantmaking.

Every organization is also governed by a specific section of the Internal Revenue Code. The most common type is a 501(c)(3) organization. However, there are actually 29 different types of organizations that are identified by the Internal Revenue Code. This organization happens to be a 501(c)(3) organization. The IRS describes these organizations as those engaged in Religious, Educational, Charitable, Scientific, Literary, Public Safety, Amateur Sports, or Prevention of Cruelty to Children or Animals work.

Perhaps the most accurate way to get a sense of what the organization hopes to achieve is by looking at its mission. The mission of the Downing Street Foundation is to maintain a ministry of place and a Christ-centered fellowship for people to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. The maintenance of a fellowship house and fostering kingdom work with the poor, young people, and leaders are the most significant purposes.

Program Areas

Program Area 1: The organization operates a fellowship house as a ministry to promote Christ-centered fellowship and to deepen people's relationship with Jesus Christ. The fellowship house serves as a place for Bible studies, presentations, and living out Christian beliefs and is a meeting and study place to foster Kingdom work with the poor, young people, and leaders throughout the United States.

Program Area 2: The organization provides support for 501(c)(3) organizations that further relationships with Jesus among broad constituencies.

Organization Staffing

Downing Street Foundation is run by Gayla Irwin, who is the Co-Exec Director. The organization has 5 employees, none of whom are paid more than $100k per year (according to the organization's most recent 990 tax filing). Supporting the paid staff are 65 volunteers.

Board Governance

The Downing Street Foundation is a well-governed non-profit organization. With 18 voting members and 14 independent members, it is able to have a wide range of perspectives and expertise on its board. The potential conflicts of interest that exist are managed through a conflict of interest policy that requires disclosure of any conflicts. Board and committee meetings are documented and a document retention policy is in place. The organization also substantiates and reviews leadership and officer salaries. Finally, the organization provides copies of the 990 to the board prior to filing. All of these measures ensure that the Downing Street Foundation is well-governed and accountable to its stakeholders.

Organization Growth

The Downing Street Foundation has experienced growth over the five-year period from 2015-2019. Contributions & Grants received has increased, Investment Income has increased, Other Revenue has increased, and Total Revenue has increased. Meanwhile, Grants Paid, Employee Salaries and Total Employees have all increased. Total Volunteers have stayed the same. This indicates that the organization has seen growth in revenue and staffing, while maintaining the same level of volunteer support.