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Passes our checks

Chainbreakers Inc

EIN 59-3785097 · Portsmouth, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ChainBreakers strengthens families in Portsmouth through three commitments:putting free books in the homes of children from birth to age five, delivering phonics-based reading support for striving readers in kindergarten through 6th grade, and increasing access to nutritious food for children and families.

Income
$22,302
Spending
$11,398
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
15

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

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (religion, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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. $5,674 spent. Reading Enrichment Program - In 2025, Chainbreakers launched its Reading Enrichment Program - a 4-day after school program that uses the Science of Reading to build strong foundations in phonological awareness, decoding, and fluency. Students get 8 hours of focused, small-group instruction, while parents and caregivers join workshops and are empowered to support reading at home. In 2025, we worked with 25 students at Craddock Middle School. Pre- and post-assessments conducted on day one and day four consistently demonstrated measurable improvement, with all participating students reporting the ability to read words they could not decode before the program.
  2. $3,563 spent. Nourish the Neighborhood - Chainbreakers partnered with Mercy Chefs, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and The Eastern Shore, and Mt. Sinai Family Life Christian Center to distribute groceries and hot meals to individuals and families multiple times each month at no cost. From September to December 2025, hot meals and groceries were provided to nearly 1,000 people.
  3. $219 spent. Dolly Partons Imagination Library - Chainbreakers became the Local Program Partner in Portsmouth for Dolly Partons Imagination Library. The program is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting free books free of charge to chilren from birth to age five, through funding shared by by Dolly Parton and local community partners in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Republic of Ireland. Chainbreakers raised more than $25,000 in grants and donations in preparation for the full launch of the program in 2026.

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 November 6, 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 April 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 November 4, 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.