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Fox Valley Hands of Hope

EIN 36-3111451 · Geneva, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We provide compassionate guidance and support for the grieving. Fox Valley Hands of Hope is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing expert support for children, families, and adults who are experiencing grief, loss, or life-threatening illness.

Income
$680,785
Spending
$879,296
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
50.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
9
Volunteers
155
Highest pay
$97,712, executive dir.

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

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 50.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 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 (1)
  1. $714,862 spent. FOX VALLEY HANDS OF HOPE (FVHH) PROVIDES COMPASSIONATE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT FOR THE GRIEVING. WE ARE A NONPROFIT, 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROVIDING EXPERT SUPPORT FOR YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND ADULTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING GRIEF DUE TO A DEATH LOSS.ORIGINALLY FOUNDED IN 1981 TO HELP INDIVIDUALS IN HOSPICE CARE, TODAY WE DEDICATE OUR ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A DEATH LOSS. BY CHOOSING SUPPORT, OUR PARTICIPANTS ARE CHOOSING WELLNESS, CHOOSING TO THRIVE AS BEST THEY CAN GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES.IN 2024, OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND 155 DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS SERVED CLIENT PARTICIPANTS THROUGH PROGRAMS, COUNSELING, SUPPORT GROUPS AND SEMINARS. SERVICES INCLUDED:20 SUPPORTIVE PROGRAMS30 SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPSWE SERVED:650 CLIENT PARTICIPANTS600 YOUTH AND CHILDREN 994 EDUCATIONAL PARTICIPANTS452 LENDING CLOSET CLIENTSFVHHS EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO SUPPORT YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND ADULTS, REGARDLESS OF AGE, INCOME LEVEL, RACE, GENDER IDENTITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, OR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. OUR PROGRAMS ARE COMMUNITY-FUNDED, ALLOWING US TO DELIVER THE BEST GUIDANCE AT NO COST WE BELIEVE THAT EVERY PERSON SHOULD BE GIVEN HOPE WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTION.

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 March 1981.

    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.