Hope Loves Company Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Hope Loves Company is the only nonprofit in the U.S. dedicated to providing both emotional and educational support to children and young adults who have or had a loved one battling ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig's Disease.
- Income
- $261,999
- Spending
- $361,314
- Spent on programs
- 57%
- Reserves
- 5.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 75
- Highest pay
- $33,625, executive dir.
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
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 12% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 38% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 50% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1557% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 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 94% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 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, 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)
- $207,430 spent. Hope Loves Company (HLC) provides a three-day, overnight retreat for children and young adults, ages 6-21, who have or had a loved one battling ALS, as well as their families. It is an opportunity to have fun, to be challenged through team building exercises, and to meet peers who share in their experiences. Additionally, grants to assist program participants and their families who express the need for assistance during the holiday season are provided and care packages are sent to youths who have been affected by ALS.HLC has met and supported many children around the nation who are or have been caregivers to their loved ones. The children and young adults who we serve have expressed their feelings of fear, sadness, and stress as they witness parents and grandparents facing the challenges of ALS. In addition, there is ongoing anticipatory grief and eventually, enormous grief when they lose a loved one to ALS. Having HLC as a resource does not cure ALS, but it helps to reduce the isolation many face.HCL's founder, Jodi O'Donnell-Ames, has raised three children who all lost a parent to ALS before the age of 11. Her children faced sadness, frustration, anxiety and grief because of their parental losses. HLC was formed because of that experience and is a resource for all children who are coping with the challenges presented by ALS. As long as ALS exists, children need HLC.
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
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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2010.
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 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 October 2012.
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.