Spreading Sunshine Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
At Spreading Sunshine, our mission is to serve families whose children have critical or chronic illnesses by providing practical, emotional and spiritual support
- Income
- $338,139
- Spending
- $268,352
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 5.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 373
- Highest pay
- $51,912, executive director
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 35% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a 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
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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 (3)
- $71,801 spent. Sunshine Boxes - Provided personalized care packages and ongoing encouragement to children and families affected by childhood illness or special needs. In 2025, the organization distributed 420 Sunshine Boxes and served 123 individuals (29 families) through the Year of Sunshine program, which provides customized monthly mailings for one year.
- $48,552 spent. Inpatient Care - Partnered with pediatric hospitals and family housing programs in Memphis to support families during hospitalization and medical treatment. In 2025, the organization served over 4500 people through hospital partnerships, providing meals, hospital-based events, care packages, visits, and other practical assistance. These services helped relieve immediate burdens while ensuring families felt supported and less alone during a medical crisis.
- $81,938 spent. Family Care - Delivered individualized and community-based support to families affected by childhood illness or special needs. Services included one-on-one care, respite and family events, caregiver support, practical assistance, and grief/bereavement care. In 2025, 508 individuals participated in family events and received customized care
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 September 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.