Passes our checks

Friends of Abilities First Inc

EIN 27-5438649 · Springfield, MO

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

What it says it does

GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO TURN ABILITIES INTO OPPORTUNITIES WHERE OPPORTUNITIES ARE LIMITED

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
9 of 9 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
0 of 5
Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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

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

Programs described in its return (2)

$15,484 spent. FRIENDS OF ABILITIES FIRST, INC. PROVIDED SUPPORT AND SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TOTALING 11,796 TO ABILITIES FIRST FOR THE ART INSPIRED ACADEMY PROGRAM. THE ART INSPIRED ACADEMY AT ABILITIES FIRST ENABLES PARTICIPANTS OF ALL AGES TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES THROUGH INCLUSIVE ARTISTIC EXPERIENCES WHILE WORKING ON GOALS TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION, MOTOR SKILLS, SOCIAL SKILLS, SELF-CONTROL,AND CONFIDENCE. ART INSPIRED ACADEMY CLASSES ARE CONDUCTED IN VARIOUS PLACES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY AND ENCOMPASS A WIDE RANGE OF ARTS INCLUDING PAINTING, DRAWING, POTTERY, PHOTOGRAPHY, ACTING, MUSICAL THEATRE, AND MUSIC THERAPY.
$7,467 spent. IN-KIND CHRISTMAS GIFTS THROUGH THE CHRISTMAS ROOM INITIATIVE WERE PROVIDED BY FRIENDS OF ABILITIES FIRST TO MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS TOTALING 3,315. IN ADDITION, PARTIALLY FUNDED BY A GRANT FROM COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE OZARKS, TABLETS WERE PROVIDED TO 26 INDIVIDUALS TOTALING 4,152.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 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 November 6, 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 2024.
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 September 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 November 4, 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.