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Maestro Cares Foundation

EIN 45-3706112 · Chicago, IL

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

MAESTRO CARES FOUNDATION IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN AND COMMUNITIES IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE UNITED STATES. WE DO SO BY PROVIDING HOUSING, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND THE ESSENTIAL RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THEIR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. THROUGH OUR EFFORTS, WE ARE STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES AND HELPING CHILDREN BECOME TOMORROW'S LEADERS.

Income
$10.1 million
Spending
$5.6 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
31.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
17
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$157,731, 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 94% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 31.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 44% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 69% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 35% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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. $2.7 million spent. EXPENSES FOR PROJECTS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING DURING 2024:SMALL STEPS NURTURING CENTER-HOUSTON, TEXAS; RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES-LURIE KITCHEN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; CASITA DE BELEN ORPHANAGE CENTER IN CALI, COLOMBIA, CASA EN COMUNIDAD MAESTRO CARES ALDEAS INFANTILES SOS ECUADOR (PLACEMENT FACILITY) IN QUITO, ECUADOR; CASA HOGAR ALERGIA EXPANSION IN COLOMBIA; AGRUPACION DE DAMAS HEBREAS HOSPITAL UNIVERSITARIO DEL VALLE IN CALI, COLOMBIA; ALDEOS INFANTILES SOS COMMUNITY CENTER - HONDURAS; FUNDACION RENACI-CENTRO E BIENSTAR DE NINOS CON CANCER - PARAGUAY; YMCA AQUATIC THERAPY AND WELLNESS CENTER IN PUERTO RICO.
  2. $411,436 spent. CHILD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM, SCHOLARSHIPS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
  3. $941,969 spent. OTHER EXPENSES RELATED TO THE GRANTS AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS.

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 November 6, 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 2012.

    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 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.