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Hope for Uganda Inc

EIN 41-1732849 · Minnetonka, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceFair61 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Hope For Uganda is to bring hope to the people of Northern Uganda through faith formation, quality education, improved health and food sustainability programs.

Income
$765,823
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
3.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
3
Volunteers
3
Highest pay
$35,137, development director

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 42% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $944,966 spent. "Sacred Heart Minor Seminary (SHS) in Gulu, Uganda, is a secondary school preparing young men for the priesthood. There were 220 students living and studying on campus in 2024. The campus was built in the 1930's so the buildings are in great need to repair and renovation. HFU provides scholarship assistance to ensure that no student is turned away for financial reasons. In addition, HFU provides grants for necessary building maintenance as funds are available. In 2024 repairs were made to the A level building ceilings and lockers, as well as renovating a building on the property for Archbishop Emertis Odama. Archbishop Flynn Secondary School (AFSS) in Pader, Uganda, is a co-educational secondary school with 740 students in 2024, approximately half girls and half boys. HFU provides scholarship assistance to ensure no student is turned away for financial reasons. The school was founded in 2009 and HFU has gradually been building out the campus buildings as funds are available. In 2024 construction was approved for a medical clinic which will serve both the students and the people of the local village. It was determined that AFSS would benefit from a comprehensive master plan for all buildings on campus. This was funded. Lastly, a Seven Sisters program tested in 2023 and had overwhelming participation so funding was provided to accommodate this program going forward. HFU sent funds to help the Archdiocese of Gulu purchase 7 motorcycles/Mass kits/chasubles for the newly ordained priests to allow them to perform their priestly ministry. The priest's house and church building for Pader parish were renovated and a vehicle for the local priest was provided to ensure his ability to perform his duties to the parish. In addition uniforms and a keyboard were gifted to the nursing school at St Mary's LACOR hospital. The Archbishop Flynn Rural Education and Development Center (the Farm) provides training and employment for local villagers, and food for the students of AFSS. HFU provides financial support to the farm for operating and planting expenses. In 2024, HFU provided funding to maintain the staff and for the harvest expenses. HFU supports the David Fagerlee Medical Centre, located in Adilang village. The clinic provides life saving medical care where there was no access within a days walk for many.

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 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 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 October 1998.

    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.