Hope
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
HOPE, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization) offers comprehensive services that support low-income single parents pursuing a college degree. HOPE's mission is to serve single parents working to obtain an associate or bachelor's degree by providing housing assistance, childcare support, social services, and financial empowerment.
- Income
- $669,038
- Spending
- $760,385
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 0.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 92%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 36
- Highest pay
- $114,699, president/ceo
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
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 41% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 6 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
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 (1)
- $606,124 spent. Year to date, H.O.P.E., Inc. has assisted 163 single parents and over 300 children by the end of 2025, while also achieving a significant milestone of over 100 total college graduates served through our program. | Current Participants - In 2025, we served 47 single parents and 76 children, with an average family size of two children. Approximately 60% of participants were first-generation college students. Of those enrolled, 37% were pursuing associate degrees and 63% were pursuing bachelor's degrees. Participants experienced measurable financial progress during the program year, including: * Average income increase of $1,593 (5%) * Average savings increase of $266 (214%) * Average credit score increase of 29 points (5%) * 21% of participants owned their own homes. | Graduates - Our graduate survey achieved an 84% response rate. Outcomes demonstrate strong long-term success: * 100% of graduates are employed in their chosen career field and earning above a living wage * 53% are first-generation college graduates, breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty * 84% reported a significant increase in annual income, averaging an increase of $44,885 * 17% earn between $40,000-$50,000 annually, while 67% earn above $50,000 Financial stability continues to improve post-graduation: * 92% of graduates now have savings accounts, compared to 36% at program entry * Average savings balances increased to $5,601, representing a 932% increase * Average credit scores improved from 592 to 651, reflecting a 29-point increase. These outcomes demonstrate H.O.P.E., Inc.'s ability to not only support academic achievement but also drive long-term economic mobility, financial stability, and generational impact for single-parent families.
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2010.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.