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So Kids Soar

EIN 61-1716117 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SO KIDS SOAR SKS, A NOT-FOR-PROFIT SECTION 501C3, PROVIDES LIFE-CHANGING PROGRAMS THAT EMPOWER YOUTH WITH PHYSICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO STRIVE, OWN, ACHIEVE AND REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL.

Income
$244,949
Spending
$315,450
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
3
Volunteers
192
Highest pay
$82,841, executive director

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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 25% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 50% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (youth development, 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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. $97,473 spent. SKS CLINICS ARE ADAPTIVE CLINICS HELD ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH FOR YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES. THROUGH OUR CLINICS, THOSE WITH PHYSICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ARE ABLE TO COME OFF THE SIDELINES AND UNITE WITH THEIR PEERS. MANY CHILDREN HAVE BEEN BULLIED IN SCHOOLS AND ARE LEFT OUT OF ACTIVITIES WITH ABLE-BODIED CHILDREN. THE EMPOWERMENT AND SELF-CONFIDENCE GAINED THROUGH THE CLINICS WILL CARRY OVER FROM THE FIELD TO THE HOME, CLASSROOM, AND COMMUNITY, ALLOWING THEM TO REALIZE THAT THEIR DISABILITY WILL NOT PREVENT THEM FROM FULFILLING THEIR DREAMS. EACH CHILD IS PARTNERED WITH A VOLUNTEER TO LEARN THE ESSENCE OF TEAMWORK, HAVE A MENTOR, AND BOND OVER A SENSE OF CAMARADERIE. IN 2024, SKS PROVIDED 13 IN-PERSON CLINICS AND 13 DIGITAL CLINICS TO A TOTAL OF 182 PARTICIPANTS AND 237 VOLUNTEERS.
  2. $57,925 spent. YOUR PATH TO SUCCESS: THE SO KIDS SOAR MENTORSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES COMMUNICATION, LEADERSHIP AND VOCATIONAL SKILL-BUILDING FOR YOUNG ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS AND/OR PHYSICAL DISABILITIES IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA. OVER THE COURSE OF 3 MONTHS, PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ATTEND SKILL-BUILDING WORKSHOPS ON TOPICS SUCH AS RESUME DEVELOPMENT, INTERVIEWING, FORMAL EMAIL COMMUNICATION, AND OFF-SITE COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS. THE GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT PARTICIPANTS WALK AWAY WITH MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS, NEW CONFIDENCE AND REAL SKILLS THAT ALLOW THEM TO PURSUE INDEPENDENCE AND GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT
  3. $31,834 spent. SKS HOLIDAY CELEBRATION: THIS CELEBRATION IS MORE THAN A SEASONAL PARTY. IT IS OUR CULMINATING YEAR-END EVENT THAT GIVES OUR PARTICIPANTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PAY COMPASSION FORWARD. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN A VARIETY OF PHILANTHROPIC ACTIVITIES AT THE HOLIDAY CELEBRATION, INCLUDING WRAPPING GIFTS FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN DECORATING DESSERTS FOR HOMELESS SHELTERS MAKING HOLIDAY CARDS FOR VETERANS AND MORE. THE HOLIDAY CELEBRATION IS A TIME FOR FUN AND PHILANTHROPY AND A REMINDER THAT THEIR DISABILITIES WILL NOT HOLD THEM BACK FROM REACHING THEIR POTENTIAL. AT THE 2024 SKS HOLIDAY PROGRAM, 41 PARTICIPANTS AND 63 VOLUNTEERS ACHIEVED THE FOLLOWING GOALS: - 250 PRESENTS FOR DC METRO FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE PARENT ASSOCIATION - 89 PRESENTS FOR THE NAPKIN NETWORK - 57 BACKPACKS STUFFED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND TOYS FOR KIDS IN NEED OF DEFENSE (KIND) - 50 BACKPACKS STUFFED WITH HYGIENE KITS FOR COMFORT CASES, INC. - 50 STUFFED KONG BALLS FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERS FOR ANIMAL WELL-BEING - 70 FLASH CARDS FOR HANDS ON TOKYO.
  4. $24,693 spent. VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAMS WITHIN SKS INCLUDE VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT, YOUTH RECRUITMENT,AND GENERAL, ONE-TIME PROGRAMS OFFERED TO YOUTH THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

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? 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 July 2014.

    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.