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Pinky Swear Foundation

EIN 56-2384527 · Edina, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN BATTLING CANCER.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
16
Volunteers
183
Highest pay
$131,409, executive director through may 2025

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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, 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)
  1. $1.9 million spent. FAMILY SUPPORT-AT PINKY SWEAR FOUNDATION, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE FINANCIAL BURDENS OF CHILDHOOD CANCER CAN BE OVERWHELMING FOR FAMILIES. THAT'S WHY WE PROVIDE DIRECT FINANCIAL AID FOR BASIC NEEDS SUCH AS HOUSING, FOOD, AND TRANSPORTATION. WE ALSO PROVIDE CONVENIENT, STOCKED FOOD PANTRIES IN FOUR HOSPITALS TO REDUCE EXPENSES FOR PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WANT TO STAY WITH THEIR SICK CHILD.IN 2025, PINKY SWEAR FOUNDATION PROVIDED VITAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO FAMILIES FACING CHILDHOOD CANCER:1,937 ORANGE ENVELOPES DELIVERED, EACH CONTAINING A GAS AND GROCERY GIFT CARD AND A LETTER OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR RECENTLY-DIAGNOSED KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES. 732 ALL-STAR FUND GRANTS AWARDED, ASSISTING WITH HOUSING PAYMENTS, TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES, AND GROCERIES SO PARENTS CAN FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS MOST THEIR CHILD. 3,291 POUNDS OF FOOD DISTRIBUTED THROUGH OUR PANTRY PROGRAM, PROVIDING KIDS AND FAMILIES WITH SNACKS AND GRAB-AND-GO MEALS IN THE HOSPITAL TO FURTHER EASE THE BURDEN OF FOOD COSTS.
  2. $431,249 spent. EDUCATION/AWARENESS-WE ARE COMMITTED TO INCREASING THE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF CHILDHOOD CANCER AND ITS IMPACT ON FAMILIES. BY SHARING STORIES, PHOTOS, AND VIDEOS FEATURING PINKY SWEAR ALL-STARS (KIDS WITH CANCER), THE FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS THAT THESE FAMILIES FACE BECOME TANGIBLE AND RELATABLE. WE UTILIZE A MIX OF COMMUNICATION CHANNELS, INCLUDING SOCIAL MEDIA, WEBSITE, EMAIL, ADVERTISING, PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, TO DEMONSTRATE THE IMPACT PINKY SWEAR FOUNDATION HAS ON OUR ALL-STAR FAMILIES AND HOW OTHERS CAN HELP.
  3. $38,060 spent. STUDENT ENGAGEMENT-PINKY SWEAR FOUNDATION ENCOURAGES PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG LEADERS THROUGH GOAL SETTING AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP WHILE HELPING KIDS WITH CANCER. THE PINKY SWEAR PACK PROGRAM EMPOWERS STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS AND SUPPORT INITIATIVES THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR. THROUGH THESE YOUTH ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES, WE AIM TO INSPIRE THE SERVANT-LEADERSHIP MENTALITY INSPIRED BY THE ORIGINAL PINKY SWEAR PROMISE. IN 2025, PINKY SWEAR FOUNDATION PROVIDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO THREE PACK AWARD RECIPIENTS WHO DEMONSTRATED THIS SERVANT-LEADERSHIP MENTALITY.

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

  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 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 January 2004.

    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.