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First Star Inc

EIN 31-1719436 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF FOSTER YOUTH BY PARTNERING WITH CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES, UNIVERSITIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ENSURE FOSTER YOUTH HAVE THE SKILLS NEEDED TO SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION TO HIGHER EDUCATION AND ADULTHOOD

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
8.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
10
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$197,249, chief executive officer

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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

    5 of 5

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

  • 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 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 (4)
  1. $1.1 million spent. FOSTER YOUTH ACADEMIES: FIRST STAR PARTNERS WITH UNIVERSITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY TO MAKE A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN FOSTER YOUTH AND CHANGE THE COURSE OF THEIR LIVES, FROM ABUSE AND NEGLECT TO ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. EACH FOSTER YOUTH ACADEMY IS A FOUR-YEAR PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL FOSTER YOUTH THAT SHOWS THEM THEY BELONG ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS, AND HELPS THEM GET THERE. YOUTH LIVE ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS EACH SUMMER THROUGHOUT HIGH SCHOOL, AND RETURN 1-2 DAYS EACH MONTH DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. EACH ACADEMY KEEPS YOUTH ON TRACK FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS, EQUIPS THEM WITH LIFE SKILLS NEEDED FOR ADULTHOOD, TRAINS THEM TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES AND OTHERS, AND ENSURES THAT ALL YOUTH EXIT FOSTER CARE WITH LIFELONG ADULT SUPPORTERS.
  2. $140,882 spent. THE FIRST STAR ALUMNI PROGRAM EXTENDS SUPPORT TO FIRST STAR ALUMNI POST- GRADUATION AS THEY NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGES OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION AND BEYOND. PROVIDING BOTH RESOURCES AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
  3. $128,711 spent. THE FOSTER YOUTH PRE-COLLEGE COLLECITVE WORKS TO ENSURE STUDENTS IN FOSTER CARE HAVE ACCESS TO MEANINGFUL, ENGAGING, EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAMMING GROUNDED IN BEST PRACTICES AND LASER-FOCUSED ON ACHIEVING HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION AND POST-SECONDARY MATRICULATION RATES THAT MATCH OR EXCEED THOSE OF THEIR PEERS IN THE GENERAL POPULATION.
  4. SCHOLAR ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND MISCELLANEOUS CHILD ADVOCACY PROGRAMS IMPROVING THE LIVES OF FOSTER YOUTH.

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 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 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 2000.

    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.