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Savannah Smiles Inc

EIN 65-1314241 · Slidell, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SAVANNAH SMILES PRIMARY MISSION IS TO REACH OUT TO PARENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF THEIR CHILD. WE PROVIDE FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR THOSE ON THIS DIFFICULT ROAD.IT SEEMS UNNATURAL WHEN A CHILD DIES AND MOST PARENTS ARE FINANCIALLY UNPREPARED FOR THEIR CHILD'S BURIAL EXPENSES. SAVANNAH SMILES HELPS THESE FAMILIES WITH THE EXPENSES SO THEY CAN HONOR THEIR CHILD ONE LAST TIME AT BURIAL.IN ADDITION TO FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THESE FAMILIES, SAVANNAH SMILES OFFERS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. WE PROVIDE EACH FAMILY WITH 'THE ONE YEAR BOOK OF HOPE' BY NANCY GUTHRIE,AND A GRIEVING WITH HOPE CD. WE ALSO MAKE PHONE CALLS AND / OR SEND REMEMBRANCE CARDS ON SPECIAL DATES (CHILD'S BIRTHDAY, ETC.).SAVANNAH SMILES STRIVES TO BE AN OUTREACH FOR THE SLIDELL, LA COMMUNITY FIRST, THEN GO WHEREVER GOD LEADS US.

Income
$305,717
Spending
$263,138
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 50%
Employees
1
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$38,000, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.0 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 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 62% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 13 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.

  • 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, 2024, 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 (1)
  1. $238,612 spent. HELPING OTHER FAMILIES DURING THE LOSS OF THEIR CHILD HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE SAVANNAH SMILES PRIMARY MINISTRY. OUR FAMILY DIDN'T CARRY LIFE INSURANCE ON OUR CHILDREN--MOST FAMILIES DON'T. PARENTS NEVER THINK INSURANCE IS SOMETHING THEY NEED ON THEIR CHILD. IN OUR MIND, WE BELIEVE THAT OUR CHILDREN SHOULD NEVER PRECEDE US IN DEATH. SOMETIMES, THAT ISN'T HOW THINGS HAPPEN. THROUGH THE GENEROUS OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS, WE DIDN'T EXPERIENCE A FINANCIAL BURDEN IN BURIAL COSTS WHEN SAVANNAH WENT TO HEAVEN.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 2008.

    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.