Encourage Kids Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MAKING HOSPITALS A BETTER PLACE TO GET BETTER BY HELPING SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES COPE WITH THEIR PAIN, FEAR AND ISOLATION THROUGH ENTERTAINMENT, EDUCATION AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 15.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $248,613, president and ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
- $867 spent. MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM: ENCOURAGE KIDS FOUNDATION RECEIVED A GRANT FROM MOTHER CABRINI HEALTH FOUNDATION TO ADDRESS THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AMONG YOUTH THAT WERE EXACERBATED BY THE PANDEMIC. THE FOUNDATION ASSEMBLED A PANEL OF MEDICAL EXPERTS FROM ITS HOSPITAL NETWORK ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND DEVELOPED A PILOT PROGRAM TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO A SMALL NUMBER OF NYC-BASED HOSPITALS. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF THREE KITS AND ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE SUFFERED FROM ACUTE LEVELS OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION; THOSE WHO HAVE ATTEMPTED SELF-HARM; AND THOSE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL IDEATION.
- $227,361 spent. HOSPITAL HEPPENINGS: ENCOURAGE KIDS PARTNERED WITH ICONIC TOY BRAND, FAO SCHWARZ, TO CREATE A NEW, HIGH-QUALITY PLUSH BEAR. WE DELIVER THESE BEAUTIFUL CO-BRANDED TEDDY BEARS NATIONWIDE TO HELP PEDIATRIC PATIENTS NAVIGATE THE STRESS OF TREATMENT, ILLNESS, AND HOSPITALIZATION. THESE BEARS ARE ALSO A VITAL RESOURCE IN SUPPORTING KIDS DURING PAINFUL PROCEDURES, LONG HOURS OF WAITING, AND ANY TIME WHEN THEY NEED A REASSURING HUG WHILE AWAY FROM THE COMFORTS OF HOME. THE BEAR IS ALSO A POWERFUL TOOL IN FOSTERING COPING SKILLS, PREPARING FOR MEDICAL PROCEDURES, AND EDUCATING PEDIATRIC PATIENTS ABOUT DIAGNOSES.
- $824,762 spent. PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL SUPPORT: THIS UNIQUE HOSPITAL PROGRAM SUPPORTS THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMS SUCH AS MUSIC THERAPY, FACILITY DOGS AND PET THERAPY, SENSORY THERAPY, RECREATIONAL ROOMS, TECHNOLOGY AND LEARNING DEVICES, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES TO SUPPORT A MORE CHILD-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT, AND MANY OTHER INITIATIVES THAT ENHANCE THE LIVES OF HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.
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 February 2016.
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 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.