Sweet Blackberry Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
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
THE MISSION AT SWEET BLACKBERRY IS TO BRING LITTLE KNOWN STORIES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT TO CHILDREN EVERYWHERE.
- Income
- $25,787
- Spending
- $12,160
- Reserves
- 19.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 82%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
- $4,798 spent. WORKING AS A GROUP, STUDENTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK HANDS-ON IN CREATING A SWEET BLACKBERRY FILM. BY FOLLOWING THE SWEET BLACKBERRY MODEL, MENTORS WILL GUIDE THE STUDENTS THROUGH THE PROCESS OF WRITING, ART DIRECTING, ILLUSTRATING, ANIMATING, AND CREATING A MARKETING STRATEGY FOR THE FILM THEY CREATE.STUDENTS IN THIS PROGRAM WILL ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME PUBLISHED AUTHORS AND CREATE FUN AND ENGAGING HISTORICAL BOOKS ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN. STUDENTS WILL RESEARCH HISTORICAL FIGURES, GO THROUGH THE PRE-WRITING, WRITING, PROOFREADING AND EDITING PROCESS OF WRITING A STORY, CREATE ILLUSTRATIONS, AND FINALLY SEE THEIR FINISHED PRODUCT IN A PAPERBACK FORMAT. AFTER THE BOOKS ARE PUBLISHED, STUDENTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ THEIR STORIES TO THE YOUNGER CHILDREN IN AN END OF PROGRAM CELEBRATION.
- SCHOOL VISITS - KARYN PARSONS, SWEET BLACKBERRY FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, WELL KNOWN FOR HER ROLE OF AS HILARY BANKS ON THE LONG-RUNNING TELEVISION SHOW, "THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR" WILL COME TO YOUR SCHOOL TO SHARE TRIUMPHANT STORIES OF INDIVIDUALS SURMOUNTING THE ODDS AND MAKING INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR SOCIETY.THESE AMERICAN STORIES ARE INSPIRATIONAL AND EMPOWERING, BUT RARELY TAUGHT IN OUR SCHOOLS DUE TO A LACK OF TIME AND RESOURCES. SWEET BLACKBERRY'S STORIES ILLUSTRATE FOR OUR CHILDREN THE CONCEPT THAT TREMENDOUS OBSTACLES ARE ACTUALLY OPPORTUNITIES FOR GREATNESS! CHILDREN OF ALL RACES AND ETHNICITIES FEEL A SENSE OF SHARED HISTORY WHEN THEY LEARN ABOUT THE REAL PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES AND WORK IMPACT THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES.SCHOOL VISITS ARE TAILORED TO EACH AUDIENCE. THEMES ADDRESSED INCLUDE SURMOUNTING THE ODDS, AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY, INVENTORS AND THEIR INVENTIONS, AS WELL AS STORY-TELLING, CREATIVE WRITING, AND FILM MAKING. SCHOOL VISITS INCLUDE: DVD VIEWING, INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION AND Q&A SESSION WITH KARYN PARSONS, HANDS ON PROJECT, AND THE TEACHER'S GUIDE.
- $653 spent. ANIMATED SHORTS - CREATE TRIUMPHANT STORIES OF INDIVIDUALS SURMOUNTING THE ODDS AND MAKING INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR SOCIETY.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2012 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2012.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.