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Zoe Empowers

EIN 45-4671349 · Raleigh, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Zoe Empowers is a global network of local organizations throughout Africa and India providing a replicable and scalable framework whereby youth led or resourced families are provided the training, resources, and community support to become safe and healthy, skilled for longterm success, reintegrated into their communities, and able to live meaningful lives while knowing they are loved.

Income
$8.5 million
Spending
$9.5 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
11
Volunteers
800
Highest pay
$122,500, ceo

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: 69 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 64% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 (1)
  1. $8.7 million spent. Zoe Empowers operates a similar three-year empowerment program in each of the program countries listed below. In each country, youth led families in extreme poverty are gathered into peer groups comprised of approximately 25 families of approximately 85 total orphaned and vulnerable children and youth (OVCY). While their community stands behind them, indigenous Zoe staff from the local Zoe NGO coordinate the training and resources these young people need to become safe and healthy, skilled for long term success, and able to lead meaningful lives wrapped in layers of community. After three years, youth graduate sustainably self-sufficient across multiple areas of life with robust community support. Groups carry-on meeting post-graduation for mutual support, and independent research suggests graduates continue to progress in their success. In each country, the local and national governments may provide free resources to the Zoe program such as agriculture and vocational training, land for farming, and free meeting space. The number of OVCY served in each Zoe Empowers program country in 2025 and in total are listed below: Kenya served 17,483 OVCY, with approximately 65,999 empowered since 2007. Rwanda served 16,402 OVCY, with approximately 62,101 empowered since 2007. Zimbabwe served 9,138 OVCY, with approximately 32,562 empowered since 2009. Malawi served 8,484 OVCY, with approximately 26,133 empowered since 2013. Liberia served 4,781 OVCY, with approximately 15,511 empowered since 2014. Chennai, India served 5,608 OVCY, with approximately 13,612 empowered since 2014. Vizag India served 6,106 OVCY, with approximately 8,638 empowered since 2019. Tanzania served 5,867 OVCY, with approximately 9,695 empowered since 2019. Mozambique served 3,974 OVCY, with approximately 4,721 empowered since 2022. South Sudan served 2,022 OVCY starting in 2023. Uganda served 2,085 OVCY starting in 2024. Zambia served 1,176 OVCY starting in 2024. Eswatini served 782 OVCY starting in 2025. At the point in time of November 1, 2025, 83,908 OVCY were active in the Zoe empowers program with 246,640 having been empowered since 2007.

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 December 2013.

    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.