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Drew Lewis Foundation Inc

EIN 47-2991671 · Springfield, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION AT THE DREW LEWIS FOUNDATION IS TO EDUCATE, EMPOWER, AND SUPPORT UNDER-SERVED FAMILIES THROUGH PERSONALIZED PROGRAMS AND COACHING TO INCREASE QUALITY OF LIFE AND BUILD RESILIENT COMMUNITIES. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, WE PARTNER WITH EXISTING AREA ORGANIZATIONS TO ESTABLISH COMMUNITY HUBS, WHICH BOOST THE ECONOMIC AND PHYSICAL WELLBEING OF NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS. WE ACHIEVE THESE OUTCOMES THROUGH A VARIETY OF MEANS, INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS, GARDEN-TO-TABLE INITIATIVES, PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$1.8 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
6.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
27
Volunteers
235
Highest pay
$95,000, chair

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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 36% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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

    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, 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 (3)
  1. $1.3 million spent. THE FAIRBANKS CONTINUES TO GROW AS A COMMUNITY HUB. MULTIPLE COMMUNITY PARTNERS CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE AND USE THIS SPACE TO SERVE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. A GIRL LIKE ME NETWORK, SPS BASE AND FAIRBANKS COFFEE SHOP CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN THE FACILITY. AMERICAN INDIAN CENTER OF SPRINGFIELD JOINED AS A TENANT AND COLLABORATE FOR COMMUNITY BETTERMENT AND CULTURAL EDUCATION. MISSOURI MENTORING PARTNERSHIP AND SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY GARDENS ALSO LEASE SPACE AND COLLABORATE ON SERVICES OFFERED TO THE COMMUNITY. THE SPRINGFIELD BREWING COMPANY BIKE SHOP OPERATES AS A PROGRAM OF THE DREW LEWIS FOUNDATION TO SERVE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.
  2. $254,650 spent. DREW LEWIS FOUNDATION CONTINUED THE PROGRAM REACHING INDEPENDENCE THROUGH SUPPORT AND EDUCATION(RISE). THIS INCLUDES THE CONTINUED EXPANSION INTO RURAL COMMUNITIES AND OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN MISSOURI. THE PROGRAM WORKS WITH FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES OF LIVING IN POVERTY THROUGH FINANCIALLY SUPPORTING WEEKLY COMMUNITY-DRIVEN PROGRAMS. THE RISE PROGRAMMING CONTINUED ON THURSDAY EVENINGS WHERE A COMMUNITY DINNER IS PROVIDED AND PROGRAMMING REMAINED IN PERSON AND IN ONLINE FORMATS AND CLASSES CONTINUED TO WORK TO BUILD SOCIAL CAPITAL WHILE OFFERING EDUCATION ON FINANCIAL LITERACY, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING, FAMILY DYNAMICS AND RELATIONSHIPS, AND OTHER LIFE SKILLS. STATE FUNDS WERE USED IN OPERATIONS AND TO INCENTIVIZE PARTICIPATION. FAMILIES WERE ABLE TO PICK UP FOOD RESOURCES; DIAPER AND HYGIENE RESOURCES AS NEEDED THROUGH 2024. PARTNERSHIPS FOR RISE INCLUDE OVER 130 ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS. DREW LEWIS FOUNDATION CONTINUED THE PROGRAM REACHING INDEPENDENCE THROUGH SUPPORT AND EDUCATION(RISE). THIS INCLUDES THE CONTINUED EXPANSION INTO RURAL COMMUNITIES AND OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN MISSOURI. THE PROGRAM WORKS WITH FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES OF LIVING IN POVERTY THROUGH FINANCIALLY SUPPORTING WEEKLY COMMUNITY-DRIVEN PROGRAMS. THE RISE PROGRAMMING CONTINUED ON THURSDAY EVENINGS WHERE A COMMUNITY DINNER IS PROVIDED AND PROGRAMMING REMAINED IN PERSON AND IN ONLINE FORMATS AND CLASSES CONTINUED TO WORK TO BUILD SOCIAL CAPITAL WHILE OFFERING EDUCATION ON FINANCIAL LITERACY, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING, FAMILY DYNAMICS AND RELATIONSHIPS, AND OTHER LIFE SKILLS. STATE FUNDS WERE USED IN OPERATIONS AND TO INCENTIVIZE PARTICIPATION. FAMILIES WERE ABLE TO PICK UP FOOD RESOURCES; DIAPER AND HYGIENE RESOURCES AS NEEDED THROUGH 2024. PARTNERSHIPS FOR RISE INCLUDE OVER 130 ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS.
  3. $110,032 spent. OTHER COMMUNITY INITIATIVES INCLUDED: 1. HOSTED 9TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING EVENT, FASHION FORWARD, WHICH FEATURES CHILDREN OF NORTHWEST SPRINGFIELD MODELING A BACK-TO-SCHOOL OUTFIT IN A FASHION SHOW AND SHARING THEIR DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE. THE EVENT ALSO PROVIDES SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND FAMILY RESOURCES 2. HOSTED SECOND HARVEST HOME FALL FESTIVAL FOR THE COMMUNITY. THIS EVENT PROMOTES COMMUNITY CONNECTION, AND HELPS REINFORCE A SENSE OF PLACE WHILE SHOWCASING RESOURCES AVAILABLE. 3. CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF "THE BLUE HOUSE PROJECT" WHICH PURCHASES HOMES IN NORTHWEST SPRINGFIELD, UPDATES THE HOMES TO CURRENT STANDARDS AND THEN OFFERS THEM ON A RENT TO OWN BASIS TO RISE MEMBERS. THE PROJECT NOW HAS 17 HOMES THAT ARE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF RENOVATIONS, MEMBER USE, OR HAVE BEEN SOLD. 4. CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT AND INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF CLASSES FOR THE NONPROFIT CAREER ACADEMY(NCA). NCA IS A POST SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES TRAINING SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO ATTAIN THE SKILL SET NECESSARY FOR APPLICATION IN THE PRIVATE AND NONPROFIT SECTORS; INCLUDING ADMINISTRATION, FUNDRAISING, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND MORE. 5. STRENGTHENED ONLINE CURRICULUM WITH DEVELOPMENT OF WEBSITE AND ADDITIONAL CURRICULUM. RISE CONTINUED TO EXPAND AND IS IN AURORA, SALEM, MONETT, NEOSHO, ASH GROVE, AND CAPE GIRARDEAU. 5 MORE ORGANIZATIONS ARE IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING RISE. 6. THE FAIRBANKS BIKE SHOP, POWERED BY VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTED BY SBC ATHLETICS COMMUNITY, PROVIDES BICYCLE EDUCATION, FREE HELMETS FOR KIDS, FREE BIKE REPAIR AND LOW-COST BIKES. THIS PROGRAM HAS GROWN TREMENDOUSLY AND IS LOOKING TO EXPAND ITS LOCATION AT THE FAIRBANKS. OTHER COMMUNITY INITIATIVES INCLUDED: 1. HOSTED 9TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING EVENT, FASHION FORWARD, WHICH FEATURES CHILDREN OF NORTHWEST SPRINGFIELD MODELING A BACK-TO-SCHOOL OUTFIT IN A FASHION SHOW AND SHARING THEIR DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE. THE EVENT ALSO PROVIDES SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND FAMILY RESOURCES 2. HOSTED SECOND HARVEST HOME FALL FESTIVAL FOR THE COMMUNITY. THIS EVENT PROMOTES COMMUNITY CONNECTION, AND HELPS REINFORCE A SENSE OF PLACE WHILE SHOWCASING RESOURCES AVAILABLE. 3. CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF "THE BLUE HOUSE PROJECT" WHICH PURCHASES HOMES IN NORTHWEST SPRINGFIELD, UPDATES THE HOMES TO CURRENT STANDARDS AND THEN OFFERS THEM ON A RENT TO OWN BASIS TO RISE MEMBERS. THE PROJECT NOW HAS 17 HOMES THAT ARE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF RENOVATIONS, MEMBER USE, OR HAVE BEEN SOLD. 4. CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT AND INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF CLASSES FOR THE NONPROFIT CAREER ACADEMY(NCA). NCA IS A POST SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES TRAINING SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO ATTAIN THE SKILL SET NECESSARY FOR APPLICATION IN THE PRIVATE AND NONPROFIT SECTORS; INCLUDING ADMINISTRATION, FUNDRAISING, COMMUNITY OUTREACH, AND MORE. 5. STRENGTHENED ONLINE CURRICULUM WITH DEVELOPMENT OF WEBSITE AND ADDITIONAL CURRICULUM. RISE CONTINUED TO EXPAND AND IS IN AURORA, SALEM, MONETT, NEOSHO, ASH GROVE, AND CAPE GIRARDEAU. 5 MORE ORGANIZATIONS ARE IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING RISE. 6. THE FAIRBANKS BIKE SHOP, POWERED BY VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTED BY SBC ATHLETICS COMMUNITY, PROVIDES BICYCLE EDUCATION, FREE HELMETS FOR KIDS, FREE BIKE REPAIR AND LOW-COST BIKES. THIS PROGRAM HAS GROWN TREMENDOUSLY AND IS LOOKING TO EXPAND ITS LOCATION AT THE FAIRBANKS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 2015.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.