Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

The Dream Program Inc

EIN 26-0030908 · E Fairfield, VT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE DREAM PROGRAM BUILDS COMMUNITIES OF FAMILIES AND COLLEGE STUDENTS THAT EMPOWER CHILDREN FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEIGHBORHOODS TO RECOGNIZE THEIR OPTIONS, MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS, AND ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS.

Income
$4.0 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
4.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 67%
Employees
287
Volunteers
650
Highest pay
$96,006, ceo

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

Financial health

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 54% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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

    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 August 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. $3.1 million spent. THE DREAM PROGRAM PROVIDES YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO OVER 600 YOUTH WHO LIVE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITIES ACROSS VERMONT, MASSACHUSETTS, AND PENNSYLVANIA. THIS INCLUDES WEEKLY MENTORING FOR YOUTH AGES 5 TO 18, AFTERSCHOOL ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES INLUDING HOMEWORK HELP, AS WELL AS, SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING WHICH INCLUDES ON-SITE ACTIVITIES SUCH AS ARTS AND CRAFTS, GAMES, TUTORING, AND SMALL TRIPS TO LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL VENUES. THE DREAM PROGRAM ALSO RUNS CAMP DREAM, A RUSTIC OVERNIGHT CAMP EXPERIENCE LOCATED ON METCALF POND IN NORTHERN VERMONT WHERE YOUTH CAN PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES SUCH AS HIKING, SWIMMING, GARDENING, AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 November 6, 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 August 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 May 2002.

    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 November 4, 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.