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Foster Success Inc

EIN 45-5056874 · Indianapolis, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FOSTER SUCCESS' MISSION IS TO ENSURE THAT FOSTER CARE YOUTH ARE EDUCATED, HOUSED, FINANCIALLY STABLE, EMPLOYED AND CONNECTED TO A SUPPORT SYSTEM BY AGE 25. FOSTER SUCCESS IS A 501(C)(3) CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO BUILD THE CAPACITY OF FUNDERS, STATE AND LOCAL POLICY MAKERS, CASE MANAGERS, INDEPENDENT LIVING SPECIALISTS AND YOUTH-SERVING PROVIDERS TO EFFECTIVELY SUPPORT YOUTH TRANSITIONING FROM FOSTER CARE.

Income
$5.1 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 68%
Employees
34
Volunteers
173
Highest pay
$150,979, ceo/president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $2.1 million spent. EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS. EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS LOOKS DIFFERENT FOR EACH PERSON. THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS, PARTICIPANTS CAN ACCESS SUPPORT TO NAVIGATE THEIR JOURNEY FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE AND THROUGH THE VARIOUS CHALLENGES THAT COME ALONG WITH EACH STEP.
  2. $513,218 spent. HEALTH & WELL-BEING. WE KNOW THAT THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF A YOUNG PERSON IS NOT SIMPLY DEPENDENT ON THE CHOICES THEY MAKE. THERE ARE COMPLEX CONDITIONS, LIKE WHERE THEY LIVE, WORK, LEARN, AND PLAY, THAT AFFECT THEM, TOO. WE STRIVE TO MAKE SURE EVERY YOUNG PERSON CAN MEET THEIR MOST BASIC NEEDS. WE PROVIDE 1:1 REFERRALS AND REAL CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES INCLUDING: DOCUMENTATION, HOUSING, FINANCIAL SUPPORT, FOOD, HYGIENE ITEMS, TRANSPORTATION, MEDICAL & HEALTH NEEDS, AND SELF-ADVOCACY.
  3. $433,332 spent. YOUTH ENGAGEMENT. THE YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS BRING TOGETHER YOUNG PEOPLE TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER AND TACKLE THE ISSUES THAT MATTER TO THEM. WHETHER OR NOT A YOUNG PERSON IS INVOLVED IN SOME OF OUR OTHER PROGRAMS, WE STILL WANT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN IN FOSTER CARE TO ENGAGE WITH THEIR PEERS WHO HAVE SHARED EXPERIENCES.
  4. $714,602 spent. FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT. FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT IS THE KEY TO FINANCIAL LITERACY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS GAIN SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO SAVE MONEY, SPEND WISELY, AND BUILD CREDIT AND ASSETS. THEY ALSO CAN RECEIVE FUNDS TO MATCH THEIR OWN SAVINGS TO ASSIST THEM IN PURCHASING VEHICLES, PAYING FOR HOUSING, OR COVERING OTHER SIGNIFICANT EXPENSES.WORKFORCE READINESS. WORKFORCE READINESS MEANS ENSURING THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE CLEAR AND SUPPORTIVE PATHS TO GOOD AND PROMISING JOBS. UNEMPLOYMENT IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED FOSTER CARE. JUST 51% OF CURRENT OR FORMER FOSTER YOUTH REPORT BEING EMPLOYED AT AGE 21, COMPARED TO 61% OF THEIR NON-FOSTER CARE PEERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 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 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.