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Strive Foundation

EIN 33-0411257 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STRIVE FOUNDATION'S PRIMARY MISSION IS TO PROVIDE EXEMPLARY ACADEMIC AND GUIDANCE TO CHILDREN, YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE WATTS COMMUNITY OF LOS ANGELES. THE STRIVE FOUNDATION PROVIDES EDUCATION, SUPPORT AND DEVELOPMENT IN READING, WRITING AND ENGLISH LITERACY; MATH AND COGNITIVE SKILLS; COMPUTER AND INFORMATION LITERACY; CULINARY AND ARTS; PROTEGE RESOURCES; DEVELOPMENT OF THE MORAL, CREATIVE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
20.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$115,342, president

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.5 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 49% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 124% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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 (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 17 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 (1)
  1. $1.4 million spent. THE STRIVE FOUNDATION PROVIDES FOR AN ACADEMY-LEARNING ENVIRONMENT; AND, FROM A CHARACTER-IS-PARAMOUNT PERSPECTIVE, THE STRIVE FOUNDATION HELPS CHILDREN ACHIEVE READING, WRITING, ENGLISH-LANGUAGE FLUENCY AND MATH SKILLS PROFICIENCY IN THEIR GRADE LEVEL. STRIVE'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A SANCTUARY OF INSTRUCTOR, GUIDANCE & RESOURCES THAT BETTER EQUIP CHILDREN TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THE PROBLEMS THEY FACE IN THEIR CHALLENGING COMMUNITY OF WATTS AND BEYOND. STRIVE SERVES APPROXIMATELY 157 STUDENTS DAILY WITH AN ADDITIONAL 126 STUDENTS ON SCHOLARSHIP RANGING FROM 1ST GRADE THROUGH COLLEGE. WE ALSO HAVE 17 STUDENTS IN OUR YOUTH CHOIR PROGRAM AND 50 STUDENTS IN OUR GUITAR CLASS.

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 November 1996.

    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.