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Reading Heart

EIN 47-3853162 · Fresno, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood74 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Reading Heart is a nonprofit, 501 (c) (3) book donation program dedicated to serving children in hospitals and children in areas with limited access to books.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$393,239
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
112.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
0
Volunteers
265

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 112.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 80% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% 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

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (6)
  1. $298,839 spent. day to day operations of organization on book collection, sorting, warehousing and distribution.
  2. $70,000 spent. THE READ AND RUN SUMMER CAMP PROVIDES FREE BOOKS, HEALTHY FOOD AND FUN ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS.PARTNERING WITH FRESNO UNIFIED , WE ENGAGE STUDENTS IN READING, BOOK PUBLISHING, AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS, PROMOTING HEALTHY EATING, HEALTHY LERINGIN AND LIFESTYLE.
  3. $10,000 spent. The Education Matters Book Tour is a fun mini party for the whole school to enjoy that gets kids to learn about the importance of reading. Every child receives a free book of their choice and is encouraged to read then share the books when they are done.
  4. $7,000 spent. READING EXTRAVAGANZA IS A COMMUNITY EVENT AT ROEDING PARK WHERE WE HAND OUT 24000 FREE BOOKS TO FAMILIES BRINGING SCHOOLS VOLUNTEERS AND LOCAL GROUPS TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE LITERACY AND INSPIRE A LOVE FOR READING.
  5. $6,900 spent. THE TEACHERS LIBRARY PRESENTED BY CALVIVA HEALTH IS AN ANNUAL EVENT WHERE TEACHERS RECEIVE FREE BOOKS FOR THEIR CLASSROOMS, ENSURING STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO READING MATERIALS WHILE SUPPORTING LITERACY IN SCHOOLS.
  6. $500 spent. TRUNK OR TREAT IS A FUN HALLOWEEN EVENT WHERE FAMILIES ENJOY FREE BOOKS, FOOD AND ACTIVITIESIN A SAFE COMMUNITY DRIVEN ENVIRONMENT. PARTNERING WITH THE FIRST TEE, WE ALSO INTRODUCE KIDS TO GOLF WHILE PROMOTING LITERACY AND ENGAGEMENT.

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 June 2015.

    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.