Passes our checks

Friendship Circle of Greater Fort Lauderdale

EIN 26-4240600 · Ft Lauderdale, FL

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

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE FAMILIES, YOUNG ADULTS, AND CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS A PLACE TO GROW AND CONNECT.

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
28 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 8.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
18 of 25
3 of 3 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.
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 December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$200,621 spent. FRIENDSHIP GRILL OFFERS EMPLOYMENT TRAINING AND EDUCATION TO ADULTS AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WHO WANT TO WORK IN THE FOOD SERVICE HOSPITALITY OR CUSTOMER SERVICE INDUSTRY.
$410,114 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES A LIFE SKILLS AND JOB TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THROUGH HANDS-ON VOCATIONAL TRAINING, FINANCIAL LITERACY, COMMUNICATION, INDEPENDENT LIVING INSTRUCTION, HEALTH AND SAFETY EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES, PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP THE PRACTICAL, SOCIAL, AND EMPLOYMENT SKILLS NEEDED TO INCREASE INDEPENDENCE, BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND PREPARE FOR MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION IN THE WORKFORCE AND COMMUNITY.
$189,178 spent. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, AND ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THROUGH STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES INCLUDING SOCIAL GROUPS, CULINARY ARTS, MUSIC, CHEERLEADING, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, PARTICIPANTS BUILD FRIENDSHIPS, DEVELOP SOCIAL SKILLS, INCREASE SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND FOSTER GREATER INCLUSION WHILE INTERACTING ALONGSIDE VOLUNTEERS IN A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT.

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

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 August 2010.
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.

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