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Friends of Karen Inc

EIN 14-1612290 · North Salem, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROVIDES EMOTIONAL, FINANCIAL AND ADVOCACY SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES AND THEIR FAMILIES, IN ORDER TO HELP KEEP THEM STABLE, FUNCTIONING, AND ABLE TO COPE.

Income
$4.6 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
13.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
35
Volunteers
239
Highest pay
$203,739, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 March 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 (1)
  1. $3.3 million spent. FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAM : IN 2024 FRIENDS OF KAREN PROVIDED PSYCHOSOCIAL, FINANCIAL AND ADVOCACY SUPPORT FOR 1,163 CHILDREN WITH CANCER AND OTHER LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES,THEIR SIBLINGS (438 ILL CHILDREN AND 725 SIBLINGS),AND THEIR PARENTS IN 482 FAMILIES, INCLUDING BEREAVED FAMILIES WHOSE CHILD SUCCUMBED TO THEIR ILLNESS. CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE MOST OFTEN REFERRED TO FRIENDS OF KAREN BY SOCIAL WORKERS AT 17 MAJOR HOSPITALS IN NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY AND CONNECTICUT WHERE CHILDREN ARE TREATED IN THE PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY OR TRANSPLANT UNITS. FRIENDS OF KAREN EMBRACES THE NEEDS OF THE WHOLE FAMILY WHICH IS AFFECTED DEEPLY BY THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE CHILD'S DEVASTATING ILLNESS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THE ORGANIZATION'S COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES, INCLUDING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SIBLINGS (ONE-ON-ONE AND GROUP ZOOM SESSIONS FOR ABOUT 181 CHILDREN IN 2024). ALL FRIENDS OF KAREN SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT NO COST TO FAMILIES AND ARE DELIVERED BY LICENSED, SKILLED AND EXPERIENCED SOCIAL WORKERS, CHILD LIFE SPECIALISTS AND CREATIVE ARTS THERAPISTS. FRIENDS OF KAREN'S PROGRAM EXEMPLIFIES THE CURRENT STANDARDS OF PSYCHOSOCIAL CARE FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER AND OTHER LIFE-THREATENING ILLNESSES AND THEIR FAMILIES. IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND COVERING ILLNESS-RELATED AND BASIC LIVING EXPENSES FOR A FAMILY WHEN THERE IS A LOSS OF INCOME AS A RESULT OF THE CHILD'S ILLNESS, FRIENDS OF KAREN'S GIFT PROGRAMS OFFERS BIRTHDAY AND HOLIDAY GIFTS TO ILL CHILDREN AND THEIR SIBLINGS, AS WELL AS SCHOOL SUPPLIES. IN 2024 FRIENDS OF KAREN FULFILLED THE HOLIDAY WISHES OF 780 CHILDREN, AND DISTRIBUTED BACK-TO-SCHOOL BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO 701 CHILDREN, AS WELL AS BIRTHDAY GIFTS TO EVERY ILL CHILD AND THEIR SIBLINGS. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED FUNDS FOR THANKSGIVING AND HOLIDAY MEALS, AND SUPERMARKET GIFT CARDS AND EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR FOOD YEAR-ROUND TO THE NEEDIEST FAMILIES. THROUGH A SPECIAL FUND, FRIENDS OF KAREN ALSO PROVIDED GIFT CARDS TO PURCHASE CLOTHING AND SHOES FOR ILL CHILDREN, THEIR SIBLINGS AND SOMETIMES THE PARENTS WHOSE RESOURCES ARE STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT DUE TO LOSS OF JOBS OR EMPLOYMENT INTERRUPTIONS AS A RESULT OF THEIR CHILD'S ILLNESS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 March 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 September 1983.

    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.