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Girls on the Run Greater Houston

EIN 41-2142328 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Girls on the Run is a transformational physical activity based positive youth development program for girls in 3rd-8th grades. We teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The program culminates with the girls being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5k running event. The goal of the program is to unleash confidence through accomplishment while establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness. At Girls on the Run Greater Houston, teaching essential life skills is the cornerstone of our research-based programs. Trained volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development, including managing emotions, fostering friendships, and expressing empathy.

Income
$503,101
Spending
$596,383
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
5.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 62%
Employees
4
Volunteers
737
Highest pay
$112,350, ceo & ceo emeritus

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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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

    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, 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 (2)
  1. $400,268 spent. Girls on the Run Greater Houston held after-school programs serving 1,655 girls at 114 sites around the Greater Houston area (Harris, Ft. Bend, and Montgomery Counties) in 2025. The program combines an interactive curriculum and running to inspire self-respect and healthy lifestyles in pre-teen and early teen girls from 3rd-8th grades. 1,596 3rd-5th graders participated in "Girls on the Run" programs at 108 sites and 59 6th-8th graders participated in the "Heart & Sole" program at 6 sites. 61% of the girls pay an average of $46 for a program that cost $367 per girl. And the rest pay only $195. Girls on the Run Greater Houston has been awarded distinction by the International organization for its efforts to serve the greatest number of girls in difficult circumstances. GOTRGH provided over $150,000 in financial assistance through substantially reduced fees including many -0- fees to disadvantaged girls in 2025. With the help of our generous sponsors and donors, we are able to bring the Girls on the Run and Heart & Sole programs to schools (public, private, charter), as well as community centers, YMCAs, parks, and a clinic specializing in obesity. 737 volunteers including 475 unpaid coaches donated their time and effort to Girls on the Run in 2025. There is no shortage of girls who would like to participate in our program, only a shortage of coaches who are selflessly willing to volunteer their after-school time on behalf of young girls across the Greater Houston area. COME JOIN US!!
  2. $92,231 spent. Girls on the Run Greater Houston holds 5k runs at Rice University. The 5k runs are the culmination of the program and the goal is for the girls to complete a 5k in a positive, encouraging environment. We had over 3,900 runners in 2025 including over 1,800 parents and community runners in addition to the girls and coaches. It is a wonder to behold! All the girls completed their 5k runs with their coaches, siblings, and parents cheering them on. The true success of the program, however, is not told in the numbers, but in the words of the girls: "Girls on the Run made me realize that I am the boss of my brain." "I know that whatever I set my mind to do, I can do." "At Girls on the Run, I learned how to be comfortable in my own skin!" Girls on the Run honors its core values. We strive to: --Recognize our power and responsibility to be intentional in our decision-making. --Stand up for ourselves and others. --Embrace our differences and find strength in our connectedness. --Nurture our physical, emotional and spiritual health. --Express joy, optimism, and gratitude through our words, thoughts, and actions. --Lead with an open heart and assume positive intent. --LEARN. LIVE. DREAM. RUN!

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 October 2005.

    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.