Sparrow Fund
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WE WALK CLOSELY WITH ADOPTIVE AND FOSTER FAMILIES TO SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT CARRY CHILDREN AND THEIR GROWNUPS FORWARD.
- Income
- $572,389
- Spending
- $445,843
- Spent on programs
- 63%
- Reserves
- 9.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 77%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $96,752, secretary
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
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 24% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 1% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1563% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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
Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (3)
- $153,565 spent. HOSTED A MARRIAGE RETREAT FOR 103 ADOPTIVE AND FOSTER COUPLES SO THEY COULD CONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER, WITH A COMMUNITY THAT SHARES SIMILAR STORIES, AND WITH GOD, WHO CALLED THEM INTO FAMILY.
- $31,486 spent. THROUGH OUR CHILD + FAMILY SERVES, WE OFFERED SPECIALIZED CLINICAL SERVICES FOR 44 FAMILIES TO HELP PARENTS AND CHILDREN HEAL TOGETHER THROUGH EXPERT, TRAUMA-RESPONSIVE, RELATIONSHIP-CENTERED CARE.
- $96,489 spent. THROUGH OUR FAMILY CARE PROGRAM, WE WALKED ALONGSIDE 43 FAMILIES GROWING BY ADOPTION, PROVIDING PERSONALIZED CARE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE ADOPTION PROCESS AND UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN TOGETHER AS A FAMILY FOR A FULL YEAR.
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 August 2011.
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.