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Kick Drugs Out of America Foundation

EIN 52-1706526 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood77 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

KICKSTART KIDS OFFERS HIGH QUALITY MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTION TO ADOLESCENTS NAVIGATING THE DIFFICULT MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL YEARS. AT A TIME WHEN STUDENTS ARE DEVELOPING THEIR IDENTITY AND FACED WITH SIGNIFICANT LIFE CHOICES, THE KSK CURRICULUM PROMOTES A SENSE OF COMMUNITY, ACHIEVEMENT, HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND THE FOUNDATION OF CHARACTER - DISCIPLINE, RESPONSIBILITY, KINDNESS, RESPECT, COURAGE, DEDICATION, HONESTY, AND LOYALTY.

Income
$6.3 million
Spending
$6.8 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 77%
Employees
83
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$160,668, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • 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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $5.7 million spent. Kickstart Kids uses martial arts as a vehicle to teach character and social emotional learning to give students the tools to grow personally, avoid self-destructive behaviors, resist negative peer pressure, improve mental health, and make responsible decisions. Kickstart Kids reaches at-risk adolescents at a critical time in their lives and instills character, resilience, life skills, self-esteem, and social emotional well-being, improving the likelihood of high school graduation and success in adulthood. Independent studies have proven that students of the program have achieved higher levels of academic and social success, and become more productive members of their schools and communities. It has also been documented that the program enjoys strong school administrator and parent support, and provides critical services for students as they enter and transition through middle school. Kickstart Kids positively impacts students, schools, families, and communities.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 February 1991.

    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.