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Friends of Kids With Cancer Inc

EIN 43-1614563 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FRIENDS OF KIDS WITH CANCER IS DEVOTED TO ENRICHING THE DAILY LIVES OF CHILDREN UNDERGOING TREATMENT FOR, AND SURVIVORS OF, CANCER AND BLOOD-RELATED DISEASES....(SEE SCHEDULE O)OUR MISSION IS TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR THESE SPECIAL KIDS PROVIDING THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH THE EDUCATIONAL, EMOTIONAL, AND RECREATIONAL SUPPORT NEEDED AS A RESULT OF THE LONG HOURS OF CHEMOTHERAPY, ILLNESS, AND ISOLATION.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$2.3 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
39.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
10
Volunteers
273
Highest pay
$121,922, executive 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 39.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    24 of 24 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, 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)
  1. $942,946 spent. RECREATIONAL SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER: THIS INCLUDES PARTIES, SPECIAL EVENTS, TOYS, SNACKS, GIFT CARDS, SPECIAL GIFTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT. SPECIAL EVENTS MAY INCLUDE EXPERIENCES TO HELP OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES CREATE MEMORIES. ENTERTAINMENT MAY INCLUDE MOVIES, GAMES, CRAFT SUPPLIES, COMPUTERS, IPADS, AND ELECTRONIC GAMES. SNACKS AND SOME MEALS ARE PROVIDED FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILIES DURING TREATMENT.
  2. $568,881 spent. EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER: ART THERAPY, PLAY THERAPY, MUSIC THERAPY, AND TALK THERAPY ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH A CERTIFIED THERAPIST TO PROVIDE A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION AND RELEASE OF EMOTIONS BY THE PATIENTS. PARENTS AND SIBLINGS OF PATIENTS ARE ALSO HELPED WITH AVAILABLE SUPPORT GROUPS. IN 2024, WE PROVIDED 1,691 HOURS OF ART THERAPY AND 564 HOURS OF MUSIC THERAPY SESSIONS FOR PATIENTS AND SIBLINGS.
  3. $197,064 spent. EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER: WE PROVIDE A COST-FREE EDUCATOR AND EDUCATIONAL TOYS AND GAMES ASSISTANCE TO OUR CHILDREN THROUGH INDIVIDUAL, SMALL GROUP AND HOME TUTORIAL SESSIONS. EDUCATIONAL TESTING IS ALSO PERFORMED TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTS OF THE TREATMENTS AND TO PROVIDE A BENEFIT TO ASSIST IN THE CHILD'S RETURN TO MAINSTREAM EDUCATION. IN 2024, WE PROVIDED 993 HOURS OF INDIVIDUAL TUTORING SESSIONS AND 93 SESSIONS OF EDUCATIONAL TESTING SESSIONS WITH PATIENTS. COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE PROVIDED TO QUALIFIED PEDIATRIC CANCER SURVIVORS. IN 2024, WE AWARDED 16 SCHOLARSHIPS TO COLLEGE-AGED STUDENTS WHO ARE CANCER SURVIVORS OR IN TREATMENT FOR CANCER.

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 May 1993.

    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.