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Better Together Strengthening Families Inc

EIN 47-5591391 · Naples, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BETTER TOGETHER HELPS AT-RISK FAMILIES BY EMPOWERING PARENTS AND SURROUNDING THEM WITH COMMUNITY, MEANINGFUL WORK OPPORTUNITIES, AND PRACTICAL SUPPORT. OUR VOLUNTEER-DRIVEN, PROFESSIONALLY SUPPORTED MODEL PROVIDES DIRECT SERVICES SO THAT NO FAMILY STRUGGLES ALONE. THIS APPROACH PREVENTS THE NEED FOR FOSTER CARE AND BREAKS THE CYCLE OF GOVERNMENT DEPENDENCY. BETTER TOGETHER IS ENTIRELY FUNDED BY PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS. BETTER TOGETHER SERVES AT-RISK FAMILIES THAT ARE ISOLATED AND ON THE VERGE OF FAMILY BREAKDOWN DUE TO ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, NATURAL DISASTERS, OR PERSONAL CHALLENGES. WE EMPOWER PARENTS TO LEAD THE WAY IN OVERCOMING OBSTACLES AS OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS AND NETWORK OF CHURCHES, VETTED VOLUNTEERS, AND EMPLOYER PARTNERS OFFER DIRECT AND PRACTICAL SUPPORT.

Income
$20.4 million
Spending
$6.6 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
19.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
77
Volunteers
3,166
Highest pay
$268,160, ceo

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 95% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 67% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 32% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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. $4.3 million spent. OUR BETTER FAMILIES PROGRAM HELPS AT-RISK FAMILIES PREVENT CHILD NEGLECT AND ABANDONMENT BEFORE STATE INVOLVEMENT IS NEEDED. OUR VOLUNTEER HOST FAMILIES TEMPORARILY CARE FOR CHILDREN WHILE OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS HELPS PARENTS REGAIN SELF-SUFFICIENCY, IMPROVE PARENTING SKILLS, AND RE-ENGAGE IN THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES. IN FY 2024, BETTER FAMILIES PROVIDED DIRECT SUPPORT TO CHILDREN ACROSS FLORIDA WITH A 98% REUNIFICATION RATE. SERVICES INCLUDED: HOSTING: 213 CHILDREN RECEIVED SAFE, SHORT-TERM CARE DURING TIMES OF FAMILY CRISIS. PARENT MENTORING: KIDS STAY SAFE WHEN PARENTS STAY STRONG. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O).750 CHILDREN WERE POSITIVELY IMPACTED THROUGH 1-ON-1 PARENT MENTORING TO GUIDE PARENTS THROUGH CRISES SUCH AS ADDICTION RECOVERY, SECURING STABLE HOUSING, FINDING EMPLOYMENT, ESCAPING ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS, AND OVERCOMING HEALTH ISSUES. PARENT SUPPORT: 5,250 CHILDREN WERE POSITIVELY IMPACTED THROUGH DIRECT SERVICES PROVIDED TO THEIR PARENTS, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES AND CREATING SAFER HOMES. OUR HELP IMPACTED 3,729 FAMILIES ACROSS 33 COUNTIES THROUGH OUR BETTER FAMILIES PROGRAM, AND 98.5% OF FAMILIES STAYED INTACT (DOUBLE THE REUNIFICATION RATE OF FLORIDA FOSTER CARE). THIS YEAR, MORE THAN 40% OF FAMILY REFERRALS CAME DIRECTLY FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, AND OTHER STATE AGENCIES AND FIRST RESPONDERS AND THE NEED FOR FOSTER CARE HAS BEEN REDUCED IN 91% OF THE COUNTIES WHERE WE SERVE.
  2. $1.4 million spent. OUR BETTER JOBS PROGRAM PROVIDES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO FAMILIES IN POVERTY. WE HAVE TRAINED HUNDREDS OF CHURCHES NATIONWIDE INCLUDING 16 ADDITIONAL CHURCHES IN 2024 TO HOST SECOND-CHANCE JOB FAIRS. EACH EVENT OFFERS WRAP AROUND VOLUNTEER SERVICES REMOVING BARRIERS TO FINDING A JOB, INCLUDING FREE INTERVIEW COACHING, TECHNICAL AND TRADE SCHOOL RESOURCES, RESUME HELP, PROFESSIONAL CLOTHING, HAIRCUTS, AND LEGAL ADVICE. MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE HAVE ATTENDED OUR EVENTS (6,038 IN FY 2024) WITH 13% HIRED ON THE SPOT AND 60% EMPLOYED WITHIN SIX WEEKS. A TOTAL OF 3,659 CHILDREN WERE SUPPORTED THROUGH OUR JOBS PROGRAM, AS WE WORKED ALONGSIDE THEIR PARENTS TO SECURE MEANINGFUL WORK, STABILITY, AND MENTORSHIP.
  3. OUR MENTORING AND PARENT SUPPORT SERVICES GIVE ISOLATED PARENTS THE CHANCE TO MEET OTHER PARENTS, RECEIVE PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT, AND BENEFIT FROM THE COLLECTIVE WISDOM OF A COMMUNITY THAT CARES DEEPLY ABOUT THEIR LIVES. WE HELP TO STABILIZE EMPLOYMENT, TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, AND CHILDCARE AND ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS BY CLEANING HOMES, REMOVING SAFETY RISKS, AND IMPROVING LIVING CONDITIONS. WE MENTOR AND EDUCATE ON PARENTING, FATHER RE-ENGAGEMENT, AND FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND PROVIDE RESPITE CARE TO GIVE PARENTS A NIGHT OFF TO REST AND RECHARGE. ALL OF THESE SERVICES REDUCE RISK FACTORS FOR ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

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 April 2016.

    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.

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