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Cardiostart International Incorporated

EIN 59-3679703 · St Petersburg, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood86 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

AS AN INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION, CARDIOSTART VOLUNTEERS EDUCATE AND ASSIST LOCAL MEDICAL TEAMS IN PROVIDING FREE HEART SURGERIES AND COMPREHENSIVE CARDIAC CARE TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN IN UNDERSERVED REGIONS OF THE WORLD.

Income
$342,265
Spending
$323,852
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
6.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
2
Volunteers
118
Highest pay
$66,600, president

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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (4)
  1. $24,101 spent. SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: CARDIOSTART RETURNED TO CLINICA COROZONAS UNIDOS FOR TWO MISSIONS THIS YEAR. BOTH PEDIATRIC MISSIONS WERE FOCUSED ON CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE TREATING 28 SURGICAL OR INTERVENTIONAL CATH. LAB PATIENTS. COMMUNITY OUTREACH PUBLIC HEALTH SCREENING ASSESSED 60 PATIENTS. ORPHANAGE SUPPORT WAS PROVIDED BY AN OUTREACH TEAM. A 40-FOOT CONTAINER WAS SENT TO EQUIP A NEW HOSPITAL IN DEVELOPMENT.
  2. $25,159 spent. ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT: A FIRST VISIT TO NILE OF HOPE HOSPITAL FOR PEDIATRIC SURGERY PROVIDED 23 CONGENITAL HEART SURGERIES AND INTENSIVE CARE EDUCATION. VALUABLE DONATIONS WERE CARRIED BY VOLUNTEERS TO AID THE PROGRAM AND SURGICAL CASES.
  3. $17,717 spent. LIMA, PERU: THIS WAS CARDIO START'S 20TH RETURN MISSION TO PERU. THIS MISSION CONCENTRATED ON PROVIDING EDUCATION FOR NEW NURSING STAFF. THE INTERVENTIONAL CARDIOLOGY PROGRAM WAS ASSISTED WITH THE CARE OF 9 CASES. NINE CONGENITAL HEART SURGERIES WERE PROVIDED TO RESTART THE SURGICAL PROGRAM. OUTREACH ORPHANAGE ASSISTANCE INCLUDED CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH PERMANENT DISABILITIES AND HOSPICE CARE. NEEDED EQUIPMENT WAS PROVIDED FOR THE CENTER. ECHOCARDIOGRAM SCREENINGS PROVIDED FOR 20 PATIENTS. A 40-FOOT CONTAINER OF SUPPLIES AND NEW EQUIPMENT WAS SENT TO LIMA FOR LIMA CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.
  4. $138,076 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES - SEE STATEMENT OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES.

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? Worth knowing.

    The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.

    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 2002.

    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.