Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Dream on 3

EIN 46-1988039 · Concord, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To make dreams come true for children with chronic illness, development disabilities, or life-altering conditions by creating experiences of joy and magic through the world of sports.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 86%
Employees
24
Volunteers
578
Highest pay
$131,000, 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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 55% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 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 58% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 (6)
  1. $1.4 million spent. The Dream Experience - Program serves individuals living with chronic illnesses, intellectual or developmental disabilities or life-altering conditions. Recipients between the ages of 5 and 21 receive a fully customized, VIP experience built around their interests and their ultimate sports dream. Dream On 3 unites the healthcare, business, and sports communities to create these over-the-top experiences. To date we have served over 240 Dream Recipients and their families.
  2. $438,270 spent. Collegiate Dream Teams - Groups of student leaders that are passionate about helping others in their community work alongside Dream On 3 to plan, market, fundraise, and ultimately fulfill the Dream Experience of an individual living with a life-altering medical condition. Teams consist of 15-20 students from each college. CDT members gain a wealth of real-world career and hands-on experience such as leadership development, team building, and community engagement all while helping someone in their community. The program develops work-related skills such as marketing, branding, public relations, social media, fundraising, donor relations, non-profit management, event planning, and more. We have worked with hundreds of students that have served on 47 CDT teams across various college campuses.
  3. $96,557 spent. Jr. Dream Team - The Jr. Dream Team program helps student leaders plan, fundraise, and rally the school to support a fellow classmate living with a life-altering condition. Students work with faculty members and Dream On 3 staff to rally the entire high school in support of their Dream Recipient. Dream On 3 has found that when entire school and supporting community unite in the spirit of inclusion, the result is life-changing. We have worked with hundreds of students on 30 Jr Dream Teams across various high schools.
  4. $87,947 spent. Alumni - Our Dream Kids are like family, so our relationship with them extends well past their initial Dream Experiences. Our alumni events are opportunities to reconnect with families and for them to connect with one another much like a family reunion. The Nicholas Thornton Scholarship Fundwas created in honor of our dear friend, Nicholas Thornton. Nicholas was a kind and loving 11-year-old boy who we lost in 2014. His life and values inspired us so much, we wanted his legacy to live on through the lives of our Dream Kids.
  5. $83,238 spent. Day Dreams - Our Day Dream program serves a larger group of children at an in-person sporting event. We partner with athletes and sports organizations to offer an exclusive, one-time opportunity. Recipients are identified through our referral partners in each chapter area.
  6. $35,896 spent. DreamBoxes - The DreamBox program matches community sponsors with children that are confined to their home or hospital rooms. Dream On 3 partners with childrens hospitals for referrals of patients that would benefit from an over-the-top, VIP DreamBox. The items in the box are specifically tailored to the interests of the child based on an application process completed by the family. Boxes are delivered directly to the recipients home or hospital room, bringing a much-needed smile to a young Dreamer. We have created and delivered more than 325 DreamBoxes across our communities.

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 August 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.