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Childrens Hopechest Inc

EIN 33-0430285 · Palmer Lake, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Inspired by Christ's love, Children's HopeChest releases the potential existing within vulnerable communities, starting with the children.

Income
$7.6 million
Spending
$6.8 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
16
Volunteers
1,000
Highest pay
$189,547, president and ceo

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

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 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

    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 September 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 (3)
  1. $3.9 million spent. Children's HopeChest develops highly relational, community-to-community partnerships between Christian communities in North America and communities of orphaned and vulnerable children in 5 countries. We believe the most transformational, holistic, sustainable, and long-term change occurs when one community partners with another. Children's HopeChest engages churches, businesses, and other Christian communities in long-term partnerships that help orphans, vulnerable children and their communities survive, thrive and succeed within their home cultures by:* Empowering local leaders to share the Gospel, reduce poverty, and create self-sufficiency for every child, their homestead, and the greater community.* Equipping partnering communities to directly engage in healthy, international development practices.* Addressing the complex causes of poverty, including material, spiritual, emotional, social, economic, and educational needs.* Tending to the child's holistic needs for survival, community, education, and employment.* Transforming the lives of children through a focus on sustainability, independence, and long-term self-sufficiency,* Transforming the lives of the partnering community members through exposure, education, relationship, and service.
  2. $832,777 spent. Development projects involve the setup of such infrastructure as water systems, community centers (CarePoints), latrines, showers, schools, and libraries. They also fund sustainability - promoting programs that include artisanship, agriculture, animal husbandry, micro-finance, small business establishment, and vocational and entrepreneurial business leadership. These projects help HopeChest reach the broadest audience surrounding orphaned and vulnerable children within highly impoverished and vulnerable communities.
  3. $509,397 spent. HopeChest Vision Trips and Partner Visits facilitate up-close and hands-on service and relationship building for partners desiring the personal touch and experience of connecting to their partnered CarePoint or Project. These relationship-building visits are key to building trust and involvement in the long-term relationship with these communities.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 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 September 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 March 1995.

    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.