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Embracing Futures Inc

EIN 34-6543299 · Akron, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF NEEDY AND UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN SUMMIT, STARK, PORTAGE, MEDINA AND WAYNE COUNTIES BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ORTHODONTIC AND OTHER DENTAL CARE AND OFFERING ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.

Income
$510,490
Spending
$396,585
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
75.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
5
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$78,261, executive di

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 84% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 75.4 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 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    6 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 (2)
  1. $327,397 spent. THE ORTHODONTIC CARE PROGRAM IS OUR CORE PROGRAM. THIS UNIQUE PROGRAM IS A REACTIVE PROCESS THAT PROVIDES ORTHODONTIC CARE FOR CHILDREN GROWING UP IN IMPOVERISHED HOUSEHOLDS WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM SEVERE ORTHODONTIC PROBLEMS AND HAVE BEEN TURNED DOWN BY MEDICAID OR OTHER GOVERNMENT FUNDED PROGRAMS. WORKING WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, WE FIRST IDENTIFY A CHILD, MEET WITH THE FAMILY TO VERIFY THE FINANCIAL NEED, PROVIDE TWO ORTHODONTIC EXAMS TO VALIDATE THE MEDICAL NEED, AND BRING OUR FINDINGS TO OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR A FINAL DECISION. WITH BOARD APPROVAL, WE FINANCE THE COSTS DIRECTLY WITH AN ORTHODONTIST UNTIL TREATMENT IS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED. THE PROCESS CONCLUDES THROUGH AN EXIT INTERVIEW WITH THE FAMILY. IN THE PAST TEN YEARS WE HAVE HELPED OVER 400 CHILDREN. WE RECOGNIZE A CHILD WHO IS SELF-CONSCIOUS ABOUT HIS OR HER TEETH MAY SHY AWAY FROM PARTICIPATING IN CLASS OR OTHER SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT WILL CERTAINLY BE HEALTHIER INDIVIDUALS. THEY MAY ALSO EXPERIENCE IMPROVED SELF ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE. THIS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR BECOMING MORE PRODUCTIVE INDIVIDUALS AS THEY MOVE FROM SCHOOL INTO THEIR ADULT LIFE. DONNA SKODA, SUMMIT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER, STATED THE FOLLOWING: IT'S CLEAR THAT POOR ORAL HEALTH, UNTREATED ORAL DISEASES AND SEVERE ORTHODONTIC PROBLEMS HAVE A CONSIDERABLE IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE, INCLUDING LOSS OF SELF-ESTEEM, POOR PERFORMANCE AT SCHOOL AND DECREASED ECONOMIC PRODUCTIVITY. YET ACCESS TO DENTAL SERVICES, INCLUDING ORTHODONTIC CARE, REMAINS THE GREATEST UNMET HEALTHCARE NEED IN SUMMIT COUNTY. MAINTAINING THE HEALTH OF YOUR TEETH AND MOUTH IS NOT MERELY A COSMETIC ACTIVITY, BUT RATHER A CRITICAL PART IN A COMPLETE HEALTHCARE PLAN AND A SMART INVESTMENT IN PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH...ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN. IN 2024, 46 CHILDREN WERE APPROVED FOR TREATMENT AND 91 TOTAL CHILDREN RECEIVED TREATMENT. THE ORTHODONTIC CARE PROGRAM IS OUR CORE PROGRAM. THIS UNIQUE PROGRAM IS A REACTIVE PROCESS THAT PROVIDES ORTHODONTIC CARE FOR CHILDREN GROWING UP IN IMPOVERISHED HOUSEHOLDS WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM SEVERE ORTHODONTIC PROBLEMS AND HAVE BEEN TURNED DOWN BY MEDICAID OR OTHER GOVERNMENT FUNDED PROGRAMS. WORKING WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, WE FIRST IDENTIFY A CHILD, MEET WITH THE FAMILY TO VERIFY THE FINANCIAL NEED, PROVIDE TWO ORTHODONTIC EXAMS TO VALIDATE THE MEDICAL NEED, AND BRING OUR FINDINGS TO OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR A FINAL DECISION. WITH BOARD APPROVAL, WE FINANCE THE COSTS DIRECTLY WITH AN ORTHODONTIST UNTIL TREATMENT IS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED. THE PROCESS CONCLUDES THROUGH AN EXIT INTERVIEW WITH THE FAMILY. IN THE PAST TEN YEARS WE HAVE HELPED OVER 400 CHILDREN. WE RECOGNIZE A CHILD WHO IS SELF-CONSCIOUS ABOUT HIS OR HER TEETH MAY SHY AWAY FROM PARTICIPATING IN CLASS OR OTHER SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT WILL CERTAINLY BE HEALTHIER INDIVIDUALS. THEY MAY ALSO EXPERIENCE IMPROVED SELF ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE. THIS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR BECOMING MORE PRODUCTIVE INDIVIDUALS AS THEY MOVE FROM SCHOOL INTO THEIR ADULT LIFE. DONNA SKODA, SUMMIT COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER, STATED THE FOLLOWING: IT'S CLEAR THAT POOR ORAL HEALTH, UNTREATED ORAL DISEASES AND SEVERE ORTHODONTIC PROBLEMS HAVE A CONSIDERABLE IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE, INCLUDING LOSS OF SELF-ESTEEM, POOR PERFORMANCE AT SCHOOL AND DECREASED ECONOMIC PRODUCTIVITY. YET ACCESS TO DENTAL SERVICES, INCLUDING ORTHODONTIC CARE, REMAINS THE GREATEST UNMET HEALTHCARE NEED IN SUMMIT COUNTY. MAINTAINING THE HEALTH OF YOUR TEETH AND MOUTH IS NOT MERELY A COSMETIC ACTIVITY, BUT RATHER A CRITICAL PART IN A COMPLETE HEALTHCARE PLAN AND A SMART INVESTMENT IN PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH...ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN. IN 2024, 46 CHILDREN WERE APPROVED FOR TREATMENT AND 91 TOTAL CHILDREN RECEIVED TREATMENT.
  2. THE DR. MILTON RUBIN ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM IS OUR SECONDARY PROGRAM. IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2000 AND NAMED IN DR. RUBIN'S HONOR TO COMMEMORATE HIS SINCERE DEDICATION TO PROVIDING GOOD DENTAL CARE TO CHILDREN. THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM, CREATED BY DR. RUBIN HIMSELF, WAS INTENDED TO ENHANCE EXISTING HEALTH CLASSES IN THE AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. HIS GOAL WAS TO HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP FAVORABLE ATTITUDES TOWARD PERSONAL ORAL HEALTH HABITS THROUGH AWARENESS, EDUCATION AND DEMONSTRATION. FOLLOWING MUCH SUCCESS, THE PROGRAM HAS GROWN AND TODAY INCLUDING SCHOOL DISTRICTS (PUBLIC, PRIVATE, PAROCHIAL) IN SUMMIT , PORTAGE, STARK AND MEDINA COUNTIES. THE PROGRAM IS FREE TO SCHOOLS AND IS A GREAT WAY TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP HEALTHY HABITS THAT WILL AFFECT THEM FOR A LIFETIME. IN 2024, WE PRESENTED TO 212 CLASSES, WHICH RESULTED IN 4,526 STUDENTS BEING TAUGHT THROUGH THE PROGRAM. THE DR. MILTON RUBIN ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM IS OUR SECONDARY PROGRAM. IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2000 AND NAMED IN DR. RUBIN'S HONOR TO COMMEMORATE HIS SINCERE DEDICATION TO PROVIDING GOOD DENTAL CARE TO CHILDREN. THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM, CREATED BY DR. RUBIN HIMSELF, WAS INTENDED TO ENHANCE EXISTING HEALTH CLASSES IN THE AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. HIS GOAL WAS TO HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP FAVORABLE ATTITUDES TOWARD PERSONAL ORAL HEALTH HABITS THROUGH AWARENESS, EDUCATION AND DEMONSTRATION. FOLLOWING MUCH SUCCESS, THE PROGRAM HAS GROWN AND TODAY INCLUDING SCHOOL DISTRICTS (PUBLIC, PRIVATE, PAROCHIAL) IN SUMMIT , PORTAGE, STARK AND MEDINA COUNTIES. THE PROGRAM IS FREE TO SCHOOLS AND IS A GREAT WAY TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE DEVELOP HEALTHY HABITS THAT WILL AFFECT THEM FOR A LIFETIME. IN 2024, WE PRESENTED TO 212 CLASSES, WHICH RESULTED IN 4,526 STUDENTS BEING TAUGHT THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1966.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.