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F R I E N D S

EIN 02-0680591 · Dothan, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood88 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. IS A LOCAL ORGANIZATION FOR FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND ADVOCATES WHO LOVE AN INDIVIDUAL WITH DOWN SYNDROME. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. STRIVES TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME, CONNECT WITH OTHER FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND ADVOCATES, AND EDUCATE OURSELVES AND OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT DOWN SYNDROME. THE VISION OF F.R.I.E.N.D.S. IS TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME WITHIN THEIR FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, AND WORKPLACE AND TO EDUCATE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES ABOUT DOWN SYNDROME. OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR SUPPORT AND EDUCATION FOR FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND CARE-GIVERS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME. WE HOPE TO HELP PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, AND PROMOTING A POSITIVE UNDERSTANDING OF DOWN SYNDROME IN THE WIREGRASS AREA.

Income
$79,941
Spending
$67,585
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
17.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
1

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (diseases, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes -1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% 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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (diseases, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $67,210 spent. SEE LINE "OTHER" BELOW.
  2. PROVIDED ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND TO FAMILIES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME. AND PROVIDED EDUCATION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN ORDER TO RAISE AWARENESS.
  3. PROVIDED ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND TO FAMILIES OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME. AND PROVIDED EDUCATION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN ORDER TO RAISE AWARENESS.

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

  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 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 June 2009.

    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.