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Shields of Hope

EIN 46-5038247 · Zeeland, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong92 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LOCAL PUBLIC SERVANTS, WHO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO SPREAD LOVE AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO THOSE IN THEIR COMMUNITY AFFECTED BY CANCER THROUGH FUNDRAISING AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE MEASURES

Income
$121,296
Spending
$119,725
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
26.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
0

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: 92 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • 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, 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 (5)
  1. $42,277 spent. HEROES HELPING HEROES. ANNUAL RETREAT FOR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CANCER. NUMEROUS FAMILIES SUPPORTED.
  2. $23,963 spent. HEROES HOLIDAY. PROVIDING HOLIDAY SUPPORT OF GIFTS AND HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CANCER DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
  3. $26,240 spent. HEROES HOME VISITS. PROGRAM TO BRING FAMILIES AND FRIENDS TOGETHER TO GIVE CANCER PATIENTS HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT DURING THEIR BATTLE, WITH THE HELP OF LOCAL PUBLIC SERVANTS (POLICE, FIRE, EMS).
  4. $14,391 spent. HEROS HELPING HEROES REUNION. ANNUAL GATHERING FOR FORMER HEROES HELPING HEROES PARTICIPANTS.
  5. HEROS HELPING HEROES REUNION. ANNUAL GATHERING FOR FORMER HEROES HELPING HEROES PARTICIPANTS.

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

  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 2024.

    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 November 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.