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Fernside Inc a Center for Grieving Children

EIN 31-1179234 · Cincinnati, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$765,142
Spending
$769,193
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
-55.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
405
Highest pay
$680,298, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 535% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    2 of 5 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 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)
  1. $769,193 spent. BEGINNING IN 1986, FERNSIDE, INC.: A CENTER FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN ("FERNSIDE") OFFERS SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY TO GRIEVING FAMILIES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A DEATH. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY PEER SUPPORT FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN, TEENS AND ADULTS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO WORKS TO INCREASE COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF GRIEF ISSUES THROUGH COMMUNITY OUTREACH. ALL SERVICES OFFERED BY FERNSIDE ARE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE. SERVICES INCLUDE: FAMILY PROGRAM FERNSIDE OFFERS GROUPS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS AGES 3-18, WHO ARE GRIEVING THE DEATH OF A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND. PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ALSO MEET IN THEIR OWN SUPPORT GROUP. DURING THE TAX YEAR, 758 INDIVIDUALS BENEFITED FROM THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED BY FERNSIDE. SPECIAL COLLABORATIONS FERNSIDE PROVIDES GRIEF SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN COLLABORATIONS WITH SCHOOLS AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. DURING THE TAX YEAR, 43 INDIVIDUALS BENEFITED FROM THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED BY FERNSIDE. SCHOOL PROGRAM FERNSIDE COLLABORATES WITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE ON-SITE GRIEF SUPPORT FOR GRIEVING STUDENTS. DURING THE TAX YEAR, 430 INDIVIDUALS BENEFITED FROM THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED BY FERNSIDE. CAMP PROGRAM FERNSIDE'S CAMP PROGRAM INCLUDES AN OVERNIGHT SUMMER CAMP FOR CHILDREN AGES 7-12, A WEEKEND RETREAT FOR TEENS AGES 13-18 AND A WEEKEND RETREAT FOR ADULTS. DURING THE TAX YEAR, 106 INDIVIDUALS BENEFITED FROM THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED BY FERNSIDE. PHONE CONSULTATIONS FERNSIDE STAFF CONSULTS WITH HELPING PROFESSIONALS, PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE GRIEF-RELATED QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS. DURING THE TAX YEAR, 789 INDIVIDUALS BENEFITED FROM THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED BY FERNSIDE. CRISIS RESPONSE FERNSIDE PROVIDES IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM SUPPORT TO SCHOOLS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS FOLLOWING A DEATH. DURING THE TAX YEAR, 387 INDIVIDUALS BENEFITED FROM THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED BY FERNSIDE. COMMUNITY OUTREACH & EDUCATION FERNSIDE PROVIDES PRESENTATIONS ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS RELATED TO GRIEF IN ADDITION TO SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT OUR HISTORY AND SERVICES. DURING THE TAX YEAR, 1,500 INDIVIDUALS BENEFITED FROM THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED BY FERNSIDE. LITERATURE & MATERIALS FERNSIDE HAS DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED LITERATURE AND MATERIALS FOR GRIEVING PEOPLE AND HELPING PROFESSIONALS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 November 6, 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 June 2025.

    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 October 1986.

    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 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.