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Visions Global Empowerment

EIN 26-3386678 · Irvine, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

VISIONS STRIVES TO ENABLE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP AND TECHNOLOGY. VISIONS IS ESPECIALLY FOCUSED ON ENABLING SOCIAL CHANGE IN COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY POVERTY, CONFLICT AND DISABILITY THROUGH EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY. WE ENVISION A WORLD WHERE ALL PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION, ARE EMPOWERED TO REALIZE THEIR UNIQUE ASPIRATIONS, AND ARE EQUIPPED TO MAKE POSITIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR WORLD. CURRENTLY, VISIONS OPERATES IN 5 COUNTRIES - ETHIOPIA, INDIA, SRI LANKA, NICARAGUA AND THE U.S.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
1
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$84,324, co-founder

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 11 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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. $815,423 spent. ESCUELA VERA ANGELITA (NICARAGUA)A PRIVATE, NONPROFIT BOARDING SCHOOL FOR YOUTH FROM UNDERSERVED & VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES. THIS MODERN SCHOOL CAMPUS LIES ON A 437-ACRE PROPERTY IN THE COMMUNITY OF SAN RAMON, MATAGALPA, NICARAGUA. INTENDED TO ULTIMATELY SERVE YOUTH FROM GRADES 5-12, THE SCHOOL IS CURRENTLY FOR GRADE 10 STUDENTS ONLY. THE CAMPUS IS LOCATED IN A SECURE SECTION OF THE ALMOST ENTIRELY SELF-SUFFICIENT VERA ANGELITA ESTATE, WHICH IS ALSO HOME TO A FULL-FLEDGED FARM, COFFEE PLANTATION, BOTANICAL GARDENS, ONSITE HOUSING FOR STAFF & GUESTS, PLANT NURSERY, AND NATURE RESERVE."
  2. $64,147 spent. 2. INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORTVISIONS NURTURES PARTNERSHIPS WITH DOZENS OF LOCAL CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE THE CHANGE-MAKERS IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES - THE LOCALLY-ROOTED, INNOVATIVE PROBLEM SOLVERS AND PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS SERVING THE MOST VULNERABLE AND DISADVANTAGED IN THEIR AREA. IN 2021, VISIONS PROVIDED SUPPORT BOTH FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF NEW INFRASTRUCTURE OR ACTIVITIES OF SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING VITAL NONPROFIT EDUCATION AND HEALTH SERVICES TO THOSE IN GREATEST NEED IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES.
  3. 3. DEAF EDUCATION & EMPOWERMENT (ETHIOPIA)VISIONS PROVIDES A HOLISTIC SET OF SUPPORT SERVICES (INCLUDING EDUCATION, HEALTH, LIVELIHOODS DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY ADVOCACY, INTERPRETATION, LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT, ETC.) TO YOUTH LIVING WITH HEARING LOSS IN ETHIOPIA THROUGH OUR VISIONS CENTER FOR THE DEAF AND VISIONS ACADEMY SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF, BOTH OF WHICH ARE BASED IN HAWASSA, SIDAMA REGION, ETHOPIA.

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 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 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 June 2009.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Global Empowerment Mission Inc (Doral, FL), EIN 45-3782061. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.