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Operation Shoestring Inc

EIN 64-0471554 · Jackson, MS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO INVEST IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES, TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND FAITHFULLY EXTEND THE HAND OF HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY TO EMPOWER THE NEEDY, UPLIFT OUR TARGET NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE LARGER COMMUNITY, AND BRIGHTEN THE FUTURE FOR US ALL.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
14.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
52
Volunteers
281
Highest pay
$222,445, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 47% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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

    15 of 15 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 July 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. $911,213 spent. PROJECT RISE AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAM:OPERATION SHOESTRING'S PROJECT RISE AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAM PROVIDED ENGAGING EDUCATIONAL, ARTISTIC, AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR 185 PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 5TH GRADE STUDENTS IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR, AND FOR 176 PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 7TH GRADE STUDENTS IN THE SUMMER TERM. THE VAST MAJORITY OF PROJECT RISE'S STUDENTS ARE ENROLLED AT WALTON AND GALLOWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, WITH THE OTHERS LARGELY ENROLLED IN OTHER JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS' LANIER HIGH SCHOOL FEEDER PATTERN SCHOOLS. INDEPENDENT EVALUATIONS SHOW THAT OUR WORK HAS A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE ACADEMIC AND BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN OUR PROGRAM. FOR INSTANCE, STUDENTS ENROLLED IN OUR PROGRAM TEND TO OUTPERFORM THEIR PEERS IN STANDARDIZED TESTS (MAAP EXAMS) AND HAVE HIGHER SCHOOL ATTENDANCE THAN THEIR SCHOOL PEERS NOT ENROLLED IN OUR PROGRAM.
  2. $132,644 spent. PARENT AND FAMILY INITIATIVES:OPERATION SHOESTRING'S PARENT AND FAMILY INITIATIVES INCLUDED WORKSHOPS DESIGNED TO HELP THE 126 HOUSEHOLDS IN OUR 2024-2025 ACADEMIC PROGRAMMING YEAR AND 137 HOUSEHOLDS DURING OUR SUMMER TERM DEVELOP TOOLS AND RESOURCES THAT CAN BEST HELP THEIR FAMILIES REALIZE THEIR OWN SELF-DETERMINED POTENTIAL AND ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS. OUR WORKSHOPS PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON STRESS MANAGEMENT, FINANCIAL EDUCATION, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, AND HOUSING. THESE TOPICS ARE DETERMINED BY SELF-DESCRIBED NEEDS OF PARTICIPATING PARENTS.
  3. $382,434 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACHOPERATION SHOESTRING DEPENDS ON PARTNERSHIPS WITH PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE IN SUPPORT OF OUR SERVICES, INCLUDING THOSE FOCUSED ON MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH, NUTRITION, EDUCATION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND MORE. OUR WORK THIS PAST YEAR INVOLVED 350 VOLUNTEERS AND MANY PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 July 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 1969.

    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.

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