Stars Family Services
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
STARS Family Services is organized to minister to the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in Christs name.
- Income
- $761,890
- Spending
- $882,034
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 2.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 67%
- Employees
- 52
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $127,613, secretary
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
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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 (3)
- $539,997 spent. Residential Program - Residential homes are for those individuals with developmental disabilities. This is a supportive living arrangement. Program Service/Objectives: SFS seeks to provide residents with the tools to develop life skills needed for independent or semi-independent living. The Life Skills which are focused on are; 1. Cooking (identifying cooking implements, basic cooking skills, using small and large appliances) 2. Cleaning (identifying and using cleaning appliances and products, keeping bedroom clean, keeping common areas clean) 3. Grocery Shopping (following a grocery list, appropriate store behavior, unload groceries at home and appropriately put away) 4. Interpersonal Relationships (Appropriately socializing with housemates, staff, and new acquaintances/visitors) 5. Personal Responsibilities (Time management, using public transportation, money management, being prepared for outings) 6. Personal Care (hygiene, safety, emergencies, knowledge of personal info) Clients Serviced: All residents of the SFS home. Days of Care Provided: 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, currently excluding a number of major holidays when residents spend time with family or friends. Program Service Measurements: 1. Each residents progress is assessed using the Resident Independence Assessment form. 2. Based on the above assessment, each resident is provided with an Individualized Life Skills Plan. The Individualized LSP provides residents with individualized goals and objectives to move them closer to independence in all areas of life skills development. Staff works individually with residents to ensure that all individualized goals are being addressed.
- $69,169 spent. Job Partner Program - Provide Job Partner Coaches at the College Church, Wheaton Resale Shops to come alongside those individuals with developmental disabilities. The Partner Coach will assess and design goals for each Partner. The goals are designed to move Job Partners closer to independence as they complete tasks in a resale shop environment. All Participants in the Partner Program will perform their tasks according to these values. Excellence: We will perform tasks to the best of our ability and use the gifts God has given us. Service: We will serve others as an expression of our love for Jesus, since Jesus came to serve. This includes serving customers, employees, volunteers and fellow Partners. Love: Everything we do will be done out of love and have the best interest of the other person. Progress: We desire to grow to reach our full potential and be all that God intends us to be. Respect: We will be respectful of the STARS Partner Coaches, customers, employees, volunteers, and other partners. We will follow the instructions of the Coaches and Location Managers and speak respectfully at all times.
- $40,862 spent. Programming - Art Studio, Move & Groove, and Day Services Art Studio - STARS participate in our art studio where they create original artwork. This artwork may be utilitzed for fundraising events, such as our art auction. Move & Grove - The coordinator of Move & Groove leads the STARS in excercise. This program does not have a revenue element currently. Day Program - Every weekday STARS gather for activities run by one of the staff. Occasionally a STAR that is not a resident participates for a fee.
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2009.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.
A much larger organization has a similar name: Tfi Family Services Inc (Emporia, KS), EIN 48-0806277. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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.