The Smile Trust Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 28% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The Smile Trust has taken on the task to provide resources, education, jobs, and housing to combat poverty and homelessness.
- Income
- $2.2 million
- Spending
- $1.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 28%
- Reserves
- 5.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 11
- Highest pay
- $92,296, key employee
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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1528% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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, 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)
- $377,989 spent. Smile DayWe provide hot meals in Miami and Atlanta. We also provide clean clothing, haircuts, hair styles, toiletry bags, and fresh showers to those who are unsheltered and underserved.
- $46,303 spent. Community Emergency Operations Center We serve the most vulnerable populations food, water and assist with restoring resilience after man-made and natural disasters. Our goal is to ensure we have all the necessary tools and protocols in place when disaster strikes via emergency mobilization with a rapid response.
- $24,819 spent. SmileHavenEstablishing and planning an Agrihood while actively seeking the input of community residents, elders, and leaders is innovative as we seek to minimize the devastating effects of food deserts and food insecurity within the neighborhoods.
- Program Service Expenses 56,640, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Rent GapThe Rent Gap program assists those within marginalized communities who need assistance with finding and securing affordable housing.
- Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Smile Fuh MeWe want to see the world as they see it share it throughout our community by giving cameras to unsheltered individuals and asking them to capture their world.
- Program Service Expenses 0, Grants and allocations 0, Revenue 0 Ready Se Prep
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
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 2025.
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 July 2015.
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.