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Foundation for Self Leadership

EIN 20-1318139 · Oak Park, IL

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

SEE STATEMENTTHE FOUNDATION FOR SELF LEADERSHIP'S PURPOSE IS TO FOSTER GREATER EMOTIONAL, RELATIONAL AND SOCIETAL HEALING AND WELLBEING - LEADING TO A MORE PEACEFUL WORLD - THROUGH THE PRACTICE OF SELF LEADERSHIP AS IDENTIFIED BY IFS. THE FOUNDATION FUNDS INDEPENDENT, SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OF THE EFFICACY OF IFS AS A TREATMENT FOR PTSD, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND OTHER CONDITIONS. THE FOUNDATION INCUBATES INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS OF THE SELF LEADERSHIP MODEL IN REAL-WORLD CONTEXTS (E.G., EDUCATION, HEALTH, EMERGING AND EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP). THROUGH VARIOUS COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS, THE FOUNDATION HOSTS DIALOGUES ON CULTIVATING HOPE, COMPASSION AND RESILIENCE. THE FOUNDATION'S OPERATION AND PROGRAMS ARE ENTIRELY FUNDED BY CHARITABLE GIVING FROM MEMBERS OF THE EXTENDED IFS COMMUNITY.

Income
$428,012
Spending
$304,976
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
12.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
3
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$99,000, executive director

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 95% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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. $86,391 spent. 2025 STIPEND AND RESEARCH FUNDS FOR FELLOW IN RICHARD SCHWARTZ RESEARCH PROGRAM.
  2. $41,138 spent. PROVIDED ($13,200) TUITION SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT TOWARD LEVEL 1 IFS TRAINING IN AMMAN, JORDAN, TO A COHORT OF ALL-PALESTINIAN PSYCHOTHERAPISTS, COUNSELORS AND COACHES. THIS WAS DONE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE FOUNDATION'S EFFORT TO EXPAND ACCESSIBILITY TO HEALING AND HELP CULTIVATE HOPE AND RESILIENCE, ESPECIALLY IN AREAS OF CRISIS.
  3. $100,970 spent. ADVOCATED FOR THE SELF-LEADERSHIP PARADIGM, DEDICATING EXTENSIVE HUMAN RESOURCES AND RELATIVELY MODEST FISCAL RESOURCES, BY EXPANDING THE RELATIVELY NEW OPEN-ACCESS ONLINE MAGAZINE, PARTSANDSELF.ORG, LAUNCHING A NEW PODCAST, FACING THE MOMENT, AND ENGAGING IN DEEPENING CONNECTIONS WITH A GROWING COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE.

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 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 December 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 February 2007.

    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.

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