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Fostering Hope

EIN 38-3944078 · Carl Junction, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOSTERING HOPE EXISTS TO SERVE AND SUPPORT THE LOCAL FOSTER CARE COMMUNITY. THIS INCLUDES CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, FOSTER FAMILIES, AND FOSTER CARE AGENCY WORKERS.

Income
$205,995
Spending
$161,866
Spent on programs
55%
Reserves
18.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
3
Volunteers
300

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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.4 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 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    55% 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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $32,863 spent. CHRISTMAS OF HOPE: THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES GIFTS TO CHILDREN IN LOCAL FOSTER HOMES AS WELL AS TO SOME REFERRED FAMILIES CURRENTLY WORKING WITH CHILDREN'S DIVISION TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN IN THE HOME. APPROXIMATELY 55 -65 WAS SPENT ON EACH CHILD AND GIFTS WERE PROVIDED OFF OF THEIR WISH LIST. A PARTY IS HOSTED FOR FAMILIES TO PICK UP THE GIFTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN.
  2. $8,965 spent. CARING CLOSET: FOSTERING HOPE HAS TWO CARING CLOSET LOCATIONS (ONE IN CARL JUNCTION AND ONE IN SHELDON) WHERE FOSTER FAMILIES AND CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE CAN GET CLOTHING, SHOES, TOILETRIES, TOYS, AND OTHER NEEDED ITEMS. ALL ITEMS ARE GIVEN AWAY FREE OF CHARGE AND MOST OF THE ITEMS GIVEN AWAY ARE DONATED BY THE COMMUNITY.
  3. $7,572 spent. THE HOPE FUND: THE HOPE FUND IS A PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES FOR LARGER AND MORE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE. THIS IS A REFERRAL BASED PROGRAM AND NEEDS MUST BE REFERRED BY A SUPERVISOR AT A LOCAL FOSTER CARE AGENCY. SOME OF THE NEEDS THAT ARE OFTEN PROVIDED OR FUNDED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE BEDS, DRESSERS, CAR SEATS, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY FEES, GAS MONEY FOR VISITS WITH FAMILY, AND AT TIMES ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSEHOLD REPAIRS.
  4. $39,408 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE THE MAILING OF BIRTHDAY CARDS AND BOOKS TO CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE; SENDING BIRTHDAY GIFTS TO CHILDREN IN RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, ENCOURAGEMENT CARDS MAILED TO FOSTER FAMILIES AND TEENS IN CARE, AGENCY WORKER AND FOSTER PARENT APPRECIATION EVENTS, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH.
  5. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE THE MAILING OF BIRTHDAY CARDS AND BOOKS TO CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE; SENDING BIRTHDAY GIFTS TO CHILDREN IN RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, ENCOURAGEMENT CARDS MAILED TO FOSTER FAMILIES AND TEENS IN CARE, AGENCY WORKER AND FOSTER PARENT APPRECIATION EVENTS, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

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 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 2025.

    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 2015.

    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.