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Cast Hope

EIN 26-4042588 · Chico, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CAST HOPE IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION LOOKING TO PROVIDE KIDS WITH THE GIFT OF THE OUTDOORS. AS AN ORGANIZATION IT IS OUR DESIRE TO BRING KIDS AND MENTORS TOGETHER OUTSIDE THROUGH THE SPORT OF FLY FISHING. IN THIS DAY AND ERA IT SEEMS THAT OUR LIVES ARE CONSTANTLY BOMBARDED WITH SCREENS, WHETHER TVS, COMPUTERS, IPADS, IPODS, OR GAMING SYSTEMS. HERE AT CAST HOPE WE WANT TO BREAK THAT PATTERN BY IMMERSING PEOPLE INTO THE ENVIRONMENT. THROUGH GUIDED FLY FISHING TRIPS, FISHING CLINICS, FLY TYING EVENTS, CAMP OUTS, ROAD TRIPS, AND CONSERVATION OUTINGS WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE A HEALTHY HOBBY THAT KIDS AND MENTORS CAN DO TOGETHER. WE BELIEVE IF YOU PROVIDE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR KIDS WHERE THEY GROW DEEPER IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MENTOR, LEARN HOW TO EFFECTIVELY FLY FISH, RECEIVE FREE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT, FIND OUT THAT THE OUTDOORS HAS MUCH MORE TO OFFER THAN THEIR LATEST GADGET, AND LEARN ABOUT HOW TO CONSERVE AND SUSTAIN OUR NATURAL RESOURCES, THEN THEY WILL NATURALLY WA

Income
$472,704
Spending
$439,480
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
6
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$83,750, officer

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: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 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. $288,306 spent. POSITIVELY IMPACTED 877 YOUTHS AND THEIR MENTORS IN THE CALIFORNIA, WESTERN NEVADA, MONTANA AND IDAHO COMMUNITIES THROUGH FREE FLY FISHING EXPERIENCES. THROUGH OUR PROGRAM,CLIENTS BUILD MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS, FLY FISHING SKILLS, OUTDOOR KNOWLEDGE, SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES, AND PERSONAL VALUES. CAST HOPE'S GIFT OF FLY FISHING EMPOWERS EACH MENTORING PAIR TO GROW CLOSER AS THEY MAKE FLY FISHING A HEALTHY HOBBY THEY CAN DO TOGETHER.

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 February 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.

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