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Lifescape Foundation

EIN 46-0353254 · Sioux Falls, SD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE LIFESCAPE FOUNDATION IS TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS SERVED BY LIFESCAPE. WE DO THIS THROUGH DIRECT SUPPORT OF THERAPY, EDUCATION, SUPPORTED LIVING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS, AND HELPING MEET ESSENTIAL, BASIC LIVING NEEDS AND SUPPORT OF GOALS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES SO THEY MAY LIVE THEIR BEST LIVES. WE ARE DEDICATED TO THE VALUES OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, STEWARDSHIP, INTEGRITY, COLLABORATION, BEING DONOR-CENTERED, AND PROVIDING VISIONARY LEADERSHIP.

Income
$22.6 million
Spending
$19.8 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
54 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
7
Volunteers
149
Highest pay
$464,972, lifescape ceo

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 54.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (health care, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 18 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

    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.

  • 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 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 (1)
  1. $18.5 million spent. LIFESCAPE FOUNDATION PROVIDED RESOURCES THAT SUPPORTED THE MISSION, GOALS AND OPERATIONS OF THE CHILDREN'S CARE HOSPITAL AND SCHOOL, DBA LIFESCAPE, SOUTH DAKOTA ACHIEVE, DBA LIFESCAPE, AND LIFESCAPE. ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THIS MISSION INCLUDED HOLDING FIVE MAJOR FUNDRAISING EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, INCREASED DONOR COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH NEWSLETTERS AND PHONE CALLS, AND CONTINUED STRONG PLANNED GIVING PARTICIPATION. THE LIFESCAPE FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTED $973,689 THROUGH DONOR-RESTRICTED GIFTS RESULTING IN DIRECT PROGRAM SUPPORT TO LIFESCAPE AND $17.5 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW LIFESCAPE CHILDREN'S CAMPUS.

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 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 June 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 September 1979.

    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.