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Cornerstone of Hope Inc

EIN 34-1945499 · Independence, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

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

What it says it does

CORNERSTONE OF HOPE, INC. IS A NONPROFIT, COMPREHENSIVE BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT CENTER PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL BEREAVEMENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO CHILDREN, TEENS, AND ADULTS EXPERIENCING A LOSS. ITS SERVICES, LED BY LICENSED CLINICIANS, OFFER GRIEVING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROCESS GRIEF AND RECOVER FROM THE EFFECTS OF TRAUMA IN A SAFE AND COMPASSIONATE ENVIRONMENT AND EMERGE FROM PAIN WITH A RENEWED SENSE OF PURPOSE AND HOPE FOR THEIR FUTURE.

Income
$4.9 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
10.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
51
Volunteers
207
Highest pay
$173,042, founder/ceo

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 10.1 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 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 18 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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. $3.7 million spent. CORNERSTONE OF HOPE'S COMPREHENSIVE ARRAY OF BEREAVEMENT SERVICES INCLUDES:INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING (11,500 SESSIONS ANNUALLY) - CLINICIANS PROVIDE CHILDREN, TEENS, AND ADULTS INDIVIDUALIZED CLINICAL SUPPORT AND INTERVENTIONS WHICH HELP THEM EXPRESS GRIEF REACTIONS, NORMALIZE THEIR GRIEF, COPE WITH LOSS, AND EMERGE FROM THEIR PAIN WITH A RENEWED SENSE OF PURPOSE. TRAUMA-FOCUSED THERAPY - SPECIALIZED BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMATIC LOSS. OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF IS TRAINED IN SEVERAL MODALITIES TO ADDRESS TRAUMA.ART THERAPY - AN INTERVENTION USED IN INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING SESSIONS TO HELP CHILDREN, TEENS, AND ADULTS EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS OF GRIEF THROUGH ART-RELATED ACTIVITIES AND PROCESSES. SUPPORT GROUPS (500 PARTICIPANTS ANNUALLY) - PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED FACILITATORS LEAD SUPPORT GROUPS USING A SPECIALIZED CURRICULUM GEARED TO THE TYPE OF LOSS EXPERIENCED, DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF GRIEVERS. IN-SCHOOL SERVICES (100S OF STUDENTS SERVED ANNUALLY) - BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN IN A SCHOOL SETTING THROUGH SUPPORT GROUPS AND EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR ADMINISTRATION, COUNSELORS, AND FAMILIES.EDUCATION AND TRAINING (700+ PROFESSIONAL PARTICIPANTS ANNUALLY) - PROFESSIONAL TRAINING WHEREBY CORNERSTONE OF HOPE OFFERS NUMEROUS COURSES, APPROVED TO MEET PROFESSIONAL CONTINUING EDUCATION UNIT REQUIREMENTS (CEUS), FOR COUNSELORS, HEALTHCARE WORKERS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS CONCERNING BEREAVEMENT TOPICS.MEMORIAL EVENTS (1,000+ PARTICIPANTS ANNUALLY) - CORNERSTONE HOSTS ANNUAL MEMORIAL EVENTS SO THAT GRIEVERS MAY HONOR THE MEMORY OF THEIR LOVED ONES IN A SPECIAL WAY.SUMMER YOUTH CAMPS (175+ CAMPERS ANNUALLY) - UNIQUE SUMMER GRIEF CAMPS FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE ARE HELD ANNUALLY WHERE BEREAVEMENT COUNSELING IS PAIRED WITH TRADITIONAL CAMP ACTIVITIES. GRIEVE WITH HOPE RETREATS - INTENTIONAL GRIEF SUPPORT WEEKEND FOR ADULTS WHO WANT TO INCORPORATE THEIR CHRISTIAN FAITH INTO THEIR SPECIFIC GRIEF JOURNEY. THIS WEEKEND FORMAT ALLOWS FOR INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKERS, LIVE PRAISE AND WORSHIP MUSIC, SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS SEPARATED BY TYPE OF LOSS, SILENT PRAYER, EXPRESSIVE ART INTERVENTIONS, AND FELLOWSHIP. PARTICIPANTS GAIN A RENEWED SENSE OF HOPE AND PURPOSE EVEN ADMIDST THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF GRIEF.

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 February 2004.

    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.