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Silver Lining Mentoring Inc

EIN 04-3575764 · Boston, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SILVER LINING MENTORING'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER YOUTH IMPACTED BY FOSTER CARE TO THRIVE THROUGH COMMITTED MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
25.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
28
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$257,200, chief executive officer

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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. $1.1 million spent. SILVER LINING MENTORING'S COMMUNITY BASED MENTORING PROGRAM MATCHES YOUTH IMPACTED BY FOSTER CARE IN GREATER BOSTON WITH TRAINED VOLUNTEER MENTORS IN ONE-TO-ONE RELATIONSHIPS. MENTORS COMMIT TO SPENDING TIME WITH THEIR MENTEES IN PERSON IN THE COMMUNITY EACH MONTH, OFFERING CONSISTENT SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND CONNECTION. WHILE MENTORS MAKE AN INITIAL ONE-YEAR COMMITMENT, THE AVERAGE MATCH LASTS FOUR YEARS, MORE THAN TWICE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. SUPPORTED BY SLM STAFF, THESE RELATIONSHIPS HELP YOUTH BUILD TRUST, CONFIDENCE, LIFE SKILLS, AND A STRONGER SENSE OF BELONGING. FOR MANY YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE, MENTORS ARE THE ONLY CONSISTENT ADULT IN THEIR LIVES WHO IS NOT PAID TO SPEND TIME WITH THEM.
  2. $696,838 spent. LEARN & EARN IS SILVER LINING MENTORING'S LIFE SKILLS AND WORKFORCE READINESS PROGRAM FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS IMPACTED BY FOSTER CARE. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN A STRUCTURED CURRICULUM WITH THEIR MENTORS AND SLM STAFF, FOCUSING ON FINANCIAL LITERACY, CAREER EXPLORATION, JOB READINESS, AND INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS. YOUTH EARN STIPENDS FOR COMPLETING PROGRAM COMPONENTS, HELPING THEM BUILD SAVINGS AND INVEST IN IMPORTANT NEEDS SUCH AS EDUCATION, HOUSING, TECHNOLOGY, AND PROFESSIONAL CLOTHING. THE PROGRAM STRENGTHENS MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS WHILE EQUIPPING YOUNG ADULTS WITH PRACTICAL SKILLS AND RESOURCES THAT SUPPORT A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD.
  3. $1.1 million spent. THE SILVER LINING INSTITUTE EXPANDS SILVER LINING MENTORING'S IMPACT BY PROVIDING TRAINING, CONSULTING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS NATIONWIDE. THE INSTITUTE ADVANCES BEST PRACTICES IN MENTORING FOR YOUTH IMPACTED BY FOSTER CARE. THE INSTITUTE ALSO SERVES AS THE ORGANIZATION'S INNOVATION ENGINE, DEVELOPING NEW APPROACHES TO INCREASE ACCESS TO MENTORING. IN 2025, THE INSTITUTE DESIGNED AND LAUNCHED SLM'S E-MENTORING PROGRAM, WHICH CONNECTS TRAINED VOLUNTEER MENTORS WITH YOUNG ADULTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED FOSTER CARE THROUGH A SECURE VIRTUAL PLATFORM, REMOVING GEOGRAPHIC BARRIERS AND EXPANDING MENTORING ACCESS NATIONWIDE.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.