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Lending Hope to Students

EIN 45-5224935 · Kansas City, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceWeak27 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To provide opportunity for public/private schools and youth organizations' booster clubs to fundraise at sporting events and concerts to provide opportunities for youth who would other wise not be able to participate. Also to provide opportunities for young adults wanting to advance their education.

Income
$356,447
Spending
$356,447
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
0 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
190

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: 56 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 27 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 5 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, 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 (42)
  1. $67,172 spent. Mega Booster Club supporting approximately 150 cheerleaders and gymnasts raising funds for uniforms, warm ups, and competition fees.
  2. $33,037 spent. SEBC Booster Club supporting approximately 55 dancers raising funds for props and costumes and recital fees
  3. $25,274 spent. Heart of America Dance Center Booster Club supporting approximately 125 dancers to provide props and costumes.
  4. $20,604 spent. University of Missouri Columbia seven parents and students raising funds for tuition.
  5. $20,154 spent. Youth Educational Support They purchase supplies, equipment and make capital improvements beyond what the local athletic and fine art budgets provides. In addition, we will work with administration, teachers, staff, parents, coaches and students to identify areas of need within the athletic and fine arts departments. In this way we hope to assist in the continued development and support of the local athletic and fine art programs.
  6. $19,905 spent. North West Missouri State University seven students and parents raising funds for tuition,
  7. $15,260 spent. St. Pius X high school Six parents raising funds for tuition.
  8. $10,818 spent. University of Central Missouri Six individuals raising funds for tuition.
  9. $10,810 spent. Catherine's Dance Studio Boosters supporting about 250 dancers raising funds for new costumes and props for recital
  10. $9,167 spent. Missouri State University,five individuals raising funds for tuition and books.
  11. $9,992 spent. Releve Dance booster raising funds for costumes, props and competition fees.
  12. $8,753 spent. Elite Volleyball boosters raising funds for equipment, uniforms and tournament fees.
  13. $8,577 spent. CJ Dance crew boosters supporting about 60 dancer raising funds for dance costumes and recital fees.
  14. $8,248 spent. Blue Spring's High School, Glitter Girls Dance Team and Show Troupe raising funds for costumes.
  15. $6,761 spent. Missouri Valley College three individuals raising funds for tuition.
  16. $6,557 spent. University of Nebraska three individuals raising funds for tuition.
  17. $6,113 spent. Dance Vision Boosters, supporting approximately 55 dancers, raising funds for costumes and props.
  18. $5,485 spent. Wichita State University, four individuals raising tuition funds
  19. $5,443 spent. Priscilla and Dana's School of Dance boosters, supporting approximately 50 dancers raising funds for props and costumes.
  20. $5,312 spent. CJ Dance Crew Boosters raising funds for props, costumes and recital fees.
  21. $5,356 spent. Eagle Gymnastic booster club supporting approximately 35 athletes raising funds for competition fees.
  22. $5,064 spent. University of Arkansas, two individuals raising funds for tuition and books
  23. $4,817 spent. Maryville Dance Academy Boosters raising funds for costumes and recital fees.
  24. $4,738 spent. Ronda's Dance studio boosters raising funds for costumes and recital props.
  25. $4,403 spent. Liberty High School Spanish club parents raising fund for a trip
  26. $4,390 spent. Graceland University 2 individuals raising funds for tuition.
  27. $3,957 spent. Harvest Hill Community Garden, individuals raising funds to help purchase a garden tractor and wagon, gravel for high tunnel and deer fence repair.
  28. $3,206 spent. Grand Canyon University, one individual raising funds for tuition
  29. $2,371 spent. Rockhurst University one student raising funds for tuition.
  30. $1,720 spent. Community Church of Christ four individual raising funds for camp.
  31. $1,519 spent. University of MO Kansas city one student raising tuition funds.
  32. $1,563 spent. Palestine Track club raising funds for equipment
  33. $1,478 spent. Kansas City Dance Co Boosters raising funds for props and costumes.
  34. $1,387 spent. Heartland Show Choir raising funds for tour fees.
  35. $1,227 spent. Cathy's Creative Dance boosters raising funds for costumes and recital fees.
  36. $1,212 spent. Truman High School band parents raising funds for a trip.
  37. $1,054 spent. Boy Scouts pack 383 parents earning funds for camp.
  38. $1,063 spent. Top Gun Lacrosse Team parents raising funds for new uniforms and equipment.
  39. $935 spent. KC Elevate Lacrosse boosters raising funds for equipment.
  40. $628 spent. Mid America Hockey Association raising funds for equipment
  41. $567 spent. Ft. Osage High School cheerleaders raising funds new warm ups and uniforms
  42. $350 spent. Missouri Western University one student raising funds for tutition.

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 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 2025.

    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 May 2013.

    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.