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Hope Sheds Light

EIN 46-3910504 · Toms River, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood88 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HOPE SHEDS LIGHT, INC. IS A NON-PROFIT DEDICATED TO EDUCATING YOUTH AND FAMILIES ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE, WHILE SUPPORTING RESOURCES SO EVERY FAMILY MEMBER IN OUR COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS THEY ARE NOT ALONE.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
10.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
27
Volunteers
67
Highest pay
$138,600, ceo

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $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

    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

    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 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 (1)
  1. $1.6 million spent. HOPE SHEDS LIGHT, INC. ("HSL") WANTS CHILDREN, PARENTS AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO KNOW THE DANGERS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND HOW HEROIN USE AND HOW CONTINUED USE CAN ULTIMATELY TAKE YOUNG LIVES. OUR GOAL IS TO CREATE AWARENESS AND BE A GATEWAY TO ALL AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT. THIS IS ACHIEVED BY PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE OF RESOURCES FOR RELATED SUBSTANCE ABUSE AGENCIES, HELP LINES, SUPPORT GROUPS, AND DRUG REHAB FACILITIES. ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES ARE PROVIDED TO HELP THE COMMUNITY IN UNDERSTANDING ADDICTION, KNOWING THE SIGNS, TAKING THE FIRST STEP TO SEEK HELP, FINDING HOPE AND IDENTIFYING ONGOING SUPPORT GROUPS. WE WORK TO HELP THOSE STRUGGLING WITH THE DISEASE OF ADDICTION AS WELL AS THEIR FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. BY THE CLOSE OF 2025, HSL HAS DIRECTLY TOUCHED THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS INDIVIDUALS. HSL HAS ALSO ENGAGED IN AN EXTENSIVE PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IN THE GREATER OCEAN COUNTY, NJ AREA.

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 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 December 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 July 2014.

    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.