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Play for Hope

EIN 27-1933668 · Raleigh, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To serve, empower & advocate for at-risk youth through sustainable, quality sports ministry, which facilitates community, education and ultimately spiritual growth.

Income
$315,718
Spending
$311,304
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
3.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
2
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$36,000, president

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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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, 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 (22)
  1. $206,024 spent. Rwanda Grants: Seven hundred fifty at-risk athletes train at nine different training locations, where they practice at least twice a week, are given opportunities to play matches, enter discipling relationships, and receive life skill education.
  2. $57,974 spent. Academy Grants: Fifteen at-risk boys were provided boarding, clothing, education, soccer training, match participation, discipleship, and given life and vocational skills to be successful upon graduation from the academy. Programs include community service out-reach performed by athletes to improve their community.
  3. $16,849 spent. Education - Provided school supplies to 264 athletes and educational support including school fees and/or tuition for 165 athletes (including athletes in academy and catch-up programs) to remain in school.
  4. $12,437 spent. Farming: Provided training, seeds and resources to 104 families to learn how to grow sustainable organic vegetables in their own gardens.
  5. $5,784 spent. Graduate: Provided 16 graduates mentorship and opportunities to create community. Provided 2 graduates college scholarships.
  6. $5,266 spent. Catch-up: Provided soccer training & educational support with schools for 90 children to be reintegrated back into school & their families.
  7. $3,586 spent. Female: Transportation to soccer matches, provided period products to 100 girls and sent 6 females to a vocational training school for sewing.
  8. $3,384 spent. Co-Op: Supported 13 mothers and their small businesses and formed savings groups to alleviate pove
  9. Expenses: $12437.00 including grants of: $8085.00 Revenue: $0.00
  10. Farming: Provided training, seeds and resources to 104 families to learn
  11. how to grow sustainable organic vegetables in their own gardens.
  12. Expenses: $5784.00 including grants of: $3760.00 Revenue: $0.00
  13. Graduate: Provided 16 graduates mentorship and opportunities to create
  14. community. Provided 2 graduates college scholarships.
  15. Expenses: $5266.00 including grants of: $3423.00 Revenue: $0.00
  16. Catch-up: Provided soccer training & educational support with schools for
  17. 90 children to be reintegrated back into school & their families.
  18. Expenses: $3586.00 including grants of: $2331.00 Revenue: $0.00
  19. Female: Transportation to soccer matches, provided period products to 100
  20. girls and sent 6 females to a vocational training school for sewing.
  21. Expenses: $3384.00 including grants of: $2200.00 Revenue: $0.00
  22. Co-Op: Supported 13 mothers and their small businesses and formed savings

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 October 13, 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 November 2010.

    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 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.