Hope Heals
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We create sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for familiesaffected by disabilities to experience the hope of Christ within inter-ability communities.
- Income
- $3.6 million
- Spending
- $2.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 19 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 200
- Highest pay
- $284,677, coo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $2.4 million spent. By way of Katherine Wolf's miraculous survival story, Hope Heals communicates a message of the hope of Jesus and pain with purpose through a variety of formats.Each summer, Hope Heals Camp invites 2,200 participants of all ages and diagnoses to experience the healing power of inter-ability friendship. Camper families affected by disabilities attend Hope Heals Camp at no cost to them. Campers are paired with volunteer companions for the week to enjoy a wide variety of age-appropriate camp experiences (like adaptive games and activities for all abilities, a talent show, and biblical teaching) as well as spiritual and therapeutic resourcing (like worship, biblical teaching, small group discussion, personal reflection time, therapy and spiritual direction, and group grief share).Hope Heals owns and operates MEND Coffee and Goods, a universally accessible restaurant and retail concept in Atlanta, GA, that is establishing a new paradigm for accessibility in the hospitality sector. MEND serves 200 customers each day. Half of MEND's staff members are living with disabilities and are offered a role tailor-made for their specific strengths and needs. MEND also hosts opportunities for local inter-ability community building like Hope Heals Hangouts, in which adults with disabilities and typically abled adults are paired one-on-one for regular social meet-ups. Moms at MEND is a mentorship program for parents who have just received a diagnosis for their child to receive support and wisdom from veteran disability moms.Hope Heals also provides free digital content for spiritual formation. Each week, the GoodHard Story Podcast shares ad-free wisdom, interviews, and encouragement with about 5,000 listeners. Our monthly Hope Note provides deep encouragement and inspiration to about 35,000 highly engaged readers.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2013.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.