Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

We Encourage

EIN 45-5038501 · Altadena, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceWeak27 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The purpose of We Encourage, Inc. is to provide assistance that allows a recipient to establish a foothold in their development and to make progress away from dependence to independence, from struggling to self-sustainability.

Income
$263,938
Spending
$285,690
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0

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: 58 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 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 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 27 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 4 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $157,141 spent. Additional program services:1) Provide monthly support/assistance to Nelson & Esther Kiamu $28,183.2) Provide support to Bitrus and Sanatu Sarma for Fistula Ministry/Widows/Personal $22,400.3) Provide support to several individuals $21,065.4) Provide support to current/retired missionaries $19,450.5) Provide support to Nigerians/Africans in USA $15,803.6)Provide ministry support and Thanksgiving Offering to Pasadena Covenant Church $10,5007) Provide support to Calvary Ministries for a health clinic in Jos, Nigeria $8,900.8) Provide medical support to Philip Baba Solomon Sesay and Sally Sesay $8,0009) Providing tuition support to Fuller Seminary student $6,02510) Provide support for Sabuli's orphanage in Mossai Sanguma (The Lobiko Initiative $4,600.11) Provide support for pastor rent $3,000.12)Provide support to Evangelical Covenant Church of Kenya for flood victims $2,50013) Provide funding to Earl and Alverna Messick Ministries for hymnals for the Navajos $2,200.14)Provide support to Evangelical Covenant Church of Kenya for transportation to Uganda church plant to teach South Sudanese $1,500.15) Provide support to ECWA Theological Seminary for staff support/operations/scholarships/farm needs $1,30016) Provide support to Young Life Greater Pasadena $715.17) Provide support to Club 21, Learning and Resource Center, Inc $500.18) Provide support to Elizabeth House $500.
  2. $71,350 spent. Donations to Rescue the Suffering in Sierra Leone to provide support for school building and food distribution.
  3. $52,040 spent. Donations to Christ Missionary Outreach: 1)In support of the missionary work of Bitrus and Monica Audu as they minister to people living in rural northern Nigeria. They provide education and establish churches in this area.2)In support of Abba Bello Misal in providing educational support. 3)In support of Bello Misal in providing educational support for students. 4)In support of land acquisitions to be utilized by Christ Missionary Outreach.5)In support of a Christ Missionary Outreach solar project6)In support of providing Covid-19 relief to the community7)In support of general ministry (religious/educational) to communities in rural NE Nigeria.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2012.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.