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Dream Volunteers

EIN 27-2998208 · Mountain View, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EMPOWERING THE YOUTH TO BE LEADERS AND CHANGE AGENTS AROUND THE WORLD THROUGH ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS, SERVICE-LEARNING, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES. WE EQUIP YOUNG PEOPLE TO TRANSFORM THEIR COMMUNITIES.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 64%
Employees
4
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$155,050, executive director

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

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 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 (2)
  1. $311,542 spent. YOUNG DREAMERS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM EXISTS TO CREATE LEADERS, AND EMPOWER YOUTH TO BECOME DIFFERENCE MAKERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES BOTH LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY. IT IS MADE UP CHIEFLY OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. IN CHAPTERS AROUND THE WORLD THAT ARE CONNECTED FORM A NETWORK, THEY ARE IDENTIFYING CHALLENGES OUR WORLD FACES AND ADDRESSING THESE CHALLENGES THROUGH STRATEGIC ACTIONS. OUR PROGRAM ENTAILS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, SERVICE-LEARNING, INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER TRIPS AND ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PROMISING YOUTH TO ATTEND QUALITY SECONDARY SCHOOLS. THESE ARE YOUTH WHO LIVE IN PLACES WHERE SCHOOL IS A PRIVILEGE NOT A RIGHT, AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE UNABLE TO PAY FOR THEM TO ATTEND SECONDARY SCHOOL.
  2. $1.1 million spent. SERVICE TRIPS ARE SHORT-TERM TRAVEL PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO ENGAGE IN VOLUNTEER WORK AND CULTURAL IMMERSION IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE WE HAVE YOUNG DREAMER STUDENT GROUPS. THESE TRIPS RANGE IN LENGTH FROM ONE TO THREE WEEKS, AND TYPICALLY TAKE PLACE DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. THE GOAL OF THESE SERVICE TRIPS IS TO OPEN THE EYES AND HEARTS OF THE VOLUNTEERS, AND TO EMPOWER THE LOCAL PEOPLE TO BECOME AGENTS OF CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. DREAM VOLUNTEERS CURRENTLY OPERATES THESE PROGRAMS IN COSTA RICA, GHANA, GUATEMALA, INDIA AND VIETNAM.

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 August 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.