Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Fostering Hope

EIN 46-2552438 · Solon, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair58 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AT FOSTERING HOPE, WE ARE DEDICATED TO ENRICHING THE LIVES OF YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE, KINSHIP AND RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT ACROSS NORTHEAST OHIO.

Income
$443,594
Spending
$551,366
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
6.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
8
Volunteers
587
Highest pay
$76,334, executive director(11/13-6/30)

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

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

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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

    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 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 (2)
  1. $48,749 spent. CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES - CREATING MOMENTS THAT ALLOW CHILDREN TO EMBRACE THE JOY OF CHILDHOOD - ENGAGING IN MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES THAT FOSTER LASTING MEMORIES AND A SENSE OF STABILITY DURING CHALLENGING TIMES. FROM NAVIGATING TOUGH TRANSITIONS, LIKE ENTERING FOSTER CARE WITH THE COMFORT OF A JOURNEY BAG FILLED WITH ESSENTIALS, TO CELEBRATING MILESTONES SUCH AS BIRTHDAYS AWAY FROM HOME, AND REKINDLING THE MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON, WE ARE DEDICATED TO SPREADING JOY AND PROVIDING CONSISTENCY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
  2. $23,013 spent. TRAUMA-INFORMED HEALTH & WELLNESS - PROMOTING MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING THROUGH PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO FOSTER GROWTH, RESILIENCE, AND HEALING, GROUNDED IN TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE. OUR YEAR-ROUND OFFERINGS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN RESIDENTIAL AND FOSTER CARE INCLUDE YOGA, MEDITATION, SELF-REFLECTION ACTIVITIES, GARDENING, ART CLASSES, AND HOLISTIC SUPPORT, EMPOWERING THEM TO THRIVE AND BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE.

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 September 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.