I Have a Dream Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The I Have A Dream Foundation (IHDF) is a national nonprofit that expands educational opportunity for children in under-resourced communities through a long-term, cohort-based model that supports Dream Scholars from first grade through first job. Working through a national network of Affiliates and Chapters, IHDF provides individualized academic support, social-emotional learning, family engagement, college and career readiness programming, and guaranteed scholarship assistance for postsecondary pathways. In 2024, the Foundation supported 2,332 Dream Scholars nationwide and remained connected to a community of more than 20,000 Dream Scholar alumni. Through more than 45 years of experience, IHDF has developed an evidence-informed model that helps students enroll in, persist through, and complete postsecondary education while building the skills, confidence, relationships, and opportunities needed for lifelong success and upward economic mobility. IHDF continues to strengthen its model b
- Income
- $4.4 million
- Spending
- $4.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 1.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 86%
- Employees
- 45
- Volunteers
- 277
- Highest pay
- $264,580, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 28% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2527 of 28 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 August 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 (4)
- $3.2 million spent. The I Have A Dream Foundation supports a national network of Affiliates and Chapters serving 2,332 Dream Scholars through a long-term, cohort-based model designed to ensure students graduate from high school prepared to enroll in and complete postsecondary pathways and enter productive careers. IHDF provides training, technical assistance, and programmatic resources to local affiliates and chapters, including best practice development, site visits, and ongoing coaching to strengthen program quality and student outcomes.In 2024, IHDF continued to invest in national infrastructure and program expansion, including professional development convenings, leadership training, and partnership development to increase access to academic, social-emotional, and career readiness resources. IHDF also operates Dream University Prep (Dream UP), a summer immersion program hosted on college campuses that exposes middle and high school students to postsecondary environments and expectations.These efforts are designed to improve long-term student outcomes, including college enrollment, persistence, and completion, while strengthening the capacity and consistency of programming across the IHDF network.
- The "I Have A Dream" Foundation (IHDF) strengthens and continuously improves its evidence-informed, long-term program model to improve outcomes for Dream Scholars across its national network of Affiliates and Chapters. Through ongoing evaluation, performance measurement, and strategic planning, IHDF identifies opportunities to enhance program quality, strengthen affiliate capacity, and ensure that Dream Scholars receive consistent, high-quality support from elementary school through postsecondary completion. In 2024, IHDF continued to strengthen its national network by launching a new Chapter in Atlanta, expanding Dream Scholar cohorts within existing Affiliates and Chapters, and enhancing program quality through Children's Savings Account initiatives, expanded postsecondary supports, and data-informed continuous improvement efforts. IHDF's long-term cohort model combines individualized academic support, social-emotional learning, family engagement, mentoring, college and career readiness, leadership development, and guaranteed tuition assistance to help Dream Scholars succeed in school, complete a postsecondary pathway, and pursue long-term economic mobility. These efforts are designed to improve high school graduation, postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion while strengthening the capacity of Affiliates and Chapters to deliver consistent, evidence-informed programming.By continuously strengthening its model and equipping Affiliates and Chapters with evidence-based tools and resources, IHDF helps ensure that its growing national network delivers high-quality programming and measurable outcomes for Dream Scholars, families, and communities.
- In 2024, the Foundation continued to strengthen its centralized data and performance management system to better track student outcomes, measure program effectiveness, and inform strategic decision-making across its national network. The Foundation monitors key performance indicators, including academic progress, high school graduation, postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion, to assess program impact, drive continuous improvement, and promote accountability at both the national and Affiliate/Chapter levels.
- The "I Have A Dream" Foundation strengthens awareness, engagement, and support of its national network of Affiliates and Chapters to expand educational opportunities for children in under-resourced communities. IHDF manages national communications platforms, including its website, digital channels, and media relations, to elevate the voices and experiences of Dream Scholars, share program impact, and increase public understanding of IHDF's long-term, cohort-based model.In 2024, IHDF expanded its national visibility and strategic partnerships by supporting Affiliates and Chapters in engaging local stakeholders, strengthening relationships with schools, funders, volunteers, and civic leaders, and increasing awareness of opportunities to support Dream Scholars.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 November 6, 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 August 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 August 1995.
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 November 4, 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.