Pop Culture Hero Coalition Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
The Coalitions evidence-based flagship program, The Heroic Journey created in Partnership with YMCA if the USA and nationally endorsed by them, is now expanding into public housing communities-equipping children and teens in proverty with the skills to break cycles of hopelessness and build safe, hopeful futures.
- Income
- $413,137
- Spending
- $463,863
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- -1.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 17
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
Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 128% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 5% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 76 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
- $308,358 spent. We turn struggles into strengths. Delivered free nationwide, The Heroic Journey has reached over 500,000 young people, parents and educators at 1,800+ sites. Its 21 research-based lessons pair evidence-driven tools with beloved narratives to teach resilience, emotional regulation, kindness, conflict resolution, resisting peer pressure, bullying prevention, and lifelong decision-making skills. With a companion component for parents/guardians, each lesson strengthens support at home. Independent evaluation by Hello Insight shows the Heroic Journey more than doubles youth proficiency on national skill benchmarkls-from 41% to 83%.
- $119,500 spent. El Viaje Heroico is funded by the Florida Blue Foundation and delivered in partnership with the Florida State Alliance of YMCAs. The program is now piloting in Florida and San Juan and Ponce, Puerto Rico, with strong early results.
- $27,200 spent. The Coalition Nutrition and Wellness Expansion teaches healthy screen use, physical activity, tools to curb emotional eating and other essential self-care practices as core elements of mental and behavioral health. Initial funding is provided by the Kemper Foundation.
- Interest from investment: Upon unexpectedly receiving the donation of unrestricted funds, the Board of directors decided to invest in Certificates of Deposit
- Interest from investment: Upon unexpectedly receiving the 0. 0. 6292.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.