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Friends of Ithemba

EIN 20-0925522 · Ninety Six, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceGood72 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF FRIENDS OF ITHEMBA IS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND PROVIDE GRANT FUNDING FOR THE CARE AND EDUCATION OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN SOUTH AFRICA AND TO PROVIDE GRANT FUNDING FOR THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS, ESPECIALLY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION OF THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION.

Income
$45,540
Spending
$33,452
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
16.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0

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

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

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: 72 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (diseases, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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. FRIENDS OF ITHEMBA MADE GRANTS THAT SUPPORT THE FOSTER CARE AND EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN PLACED IN THE CARE OF FOCUS ON ITHEMBA BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT. FOCUS ON ITHEMBA IS A REGISTERED PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANIAZATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA.
  2. FRIENDS OF ITHEMBA MADE GRANTS THAT SUPPORTED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FAVILITIES AND PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAMS ESTABLISHED BY FOCUS ON ITHEMBA. FOCUS ON ITHEMBA IS A REGISTERED PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANIZATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA.
  3. $32,702 spent. FRIENDS OF ITHEMBA MADE GRANTS THAT SUPPORTED FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE FOR THE WATERFALL SCHOOLS SERVING SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN. THE SCHOOLS WERE ESTABLISHED BY FOCUS ON ITHEMBA, A REGISTERED PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANIZATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA.

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 2005.

    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.