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Samara - the Center for Individualand Family Growth

EIN 20-8559454 · Harrisburg, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceFair60 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

INTENSIVE PARENTING TRAINING AND CHILDRENS PROGRAMS

Income
$333,194
Spending
$405,775
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
-6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 64%
Employees
23
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$52,062, co-exec dire

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

Weak: 35 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 57% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 60 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $194,600 spent. INTENSIVE PARENTING PROGRAM - A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO INTERUPT INTERGENERATIONAL CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT USING A GROUP PROCESS INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO NURTURE, SUPPORT AND EDUCATE PARENTS AND CHILDREN WHILE RESPECTING THEIR FREEDOM AND DIGNITY. THE PROGRAM IS ENGAGED BY THE COUNTY CHILD WELFARE AGENCY TO PREVENT CHILDREN'S PLACEMENT IN FOSTER CARE AND TO HELP CHILDREN RETURN HOME TO THEIR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS WHEN POSSIBLE.
  2. $143,407 spent. PREVENTION PROGRAM - AN IN HOME VISITATION PROGRAM WITH A GOAL OF PREVENTING FAMILIES FROM ENTERING THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM AND PREVENTING CHILDREN FROM BEING PLACED IN FOSTER CARE
  3. $7,647 spent. A VISITATION PROGRAM BETWEEN CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE AND THEIR PARENTS, DESIGNED TO PROMOTE REUNIFICATION BETWEEN CHILDREN AND PARENTS WHEN POSSIBLE AND VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS WHEN PARENTS ARE UNABLE TO CREATE A SAFE AND STABLE HOME FOR THEIR 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

  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 2024.

    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 January 2008.

    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.