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Heartbound Ministries Inc

EIN 37-1474501 · Atlanta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HEARTBOUND MINISTRIES BREAKS GENERATIONAL CYCLES OF CRIME AND INCARCERATION BY PROVIDING PURPOSEFUL PROGRAMMING TO THE PRISON COMMUNITY SO THAT INCARCERATED PEOPLE RETURN TO THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES AS TRANSFORMED INDIVIDUALS.

Income
$889,997
Spending
$549,944
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
24.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
3
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$40,000, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 24.1 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 38% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 57% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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 (4)
  1. $161,510 spent. PRISON OUTREACH PROGRAM/CHAPLAINCY: SUPPORTS AND PARTNERS WITH PRISON CHAPLAINS TO PROVIDE SPIRITUAL SUPPORT, COGNITIVE CLASSES, LITERACY SERVICES, LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, PARENTING TRAINING, AND OTHER REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS FOR JUSTICE-INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS. WE SERVE APPROXIMATELY 55,000 ADULT AND JUVENILE OFFENDERS IN ADULT AND JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHEAST.
  2. $83,195 spent. COLLEGE SEMINARY PROGRAM: HEARTBOUND ESTABLISHED AND FUNDS THE FIRST AND ONLY WOMEN'S PRISON SEMINARY IN GEORGIA. THE NATHAN AND SANDRA DEAL EXTENSION OF TRUETT MCCONNELL UNIVERSITY IS HOUSED AT WHITWORTH FACILITY IN HARTWELL, GA.
  3. $65,801 spent. PROJECT ART (ART TO REHABILITATE AND TEACH): THROUGH WEEKLY ART LESSONS, PROJECT ART CONNECTS INCARCERATED LEARNERS WITH DEDICATED INSTRUCTORS AND MENTORS WHO PROVIDE GUIDANCE, ADDRESS UNDERLYING ISSUES RELATED TO INCARCERATION, AND SUPPORT SUCCESSFUL REINTEGRATION. PROJECT ART FOSTERS MENTORSHIP AND REHABILITATION THROUGH POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS, SUPPORTS SKILL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH CONTINUUM OF LEARNING AND PROMOTES PERONAL GROWTH AND CAREER READINESS THROUGH CREATIVE EXPRESSION.
  4. $176,427 spent. ALL OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:COUNSELING CENTER: WEEKLY PROFESSIONAL TRAUMA COUNSELING SERVICES ARE PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE TO FEMALE TRANSITIONAL CENTER RESIDENTS. MALACHI DADS/RETURNING HEARTS WHICH INCLUDES A WEEKLY PARENTING TRAINING PROGRAM AND CULMINATES IN AN ANNUAL RETURNING HEARTS CELEBRATION TO UNITE CHILDREN WITH THEIR INCARCERATED PARENT ON THE PRISON GROUNDS FOR A DAY OF FUN.LITTLE READERS - A PERSONALIZED RECORDED READING PROGRAM ALLOWING CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS TO SEE AND HEAR THEIR PARENT READING A BOOK ON DVD.CHRISTMAS/INDIGENT BAGS WITH HYGIENE AND OTHER PRODUCTS FOR INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS IN GEORGIA.CHILDREN'S VISITATION CENTER LOCATED AT THE METRO WOMEM'S TRANSITIONAL CENTER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 2025.

    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 2003.

    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.

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