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Families Helping Families

EIN 71-0985937 · Cedar Rapids, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 65 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT IOWAS CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE BY PROVIDING SERVICES TO HELP WITH THEIR MENTAL AND OVERALL WELL-BEING AND ALLEVIATING SOME OF THE FINACIAL STRESSORS CAREGIVERS FACE WHEN TAKING ON THESE CHILDREN.

Income
$157,744
Spending
$208,503
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
3
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$41,323, exec dir - (former) partial

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    56% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 65 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (human services, 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

    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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (5)
  1. $55,336 spent. SPREAD YOUR WINGS PROGRAM - Spread Your Wings is a scholarship program of up to $500 per year for foster children to participate in extracurricular activities. We know that when foster children engage in athletic activities, music, dance, or similar activities they develop increased self-confidence and establish meaningful relationships. This program is for children aged 2-18. We provided 228 scholarships totaling $33,087.97 to foster children throughout Iowa in fiscal year 2025.
  2. $38,533 spent. SHOE VOUCHER PROGRAM - The Shoe Voucher program is a collaboration between Kiwanis Club of Cedar Rapids, other community organizations and Kohls. Children in foster care aged 4-18 are eligible to receive up to two pairs of new shoes per year. Caregivers apply online and vouchers are mailed to foster children, so they have the opportunity to shop for and select their own new pair of shoes. We provided 829 pairs of new shoes totaling $54,761 for foster children throughout Iowa in fiscal year 2025.
  3. $7,513 spent. SOARING TOWARDS SUCCESS - The Soaring Towards Success program is a tutoring scholarhip program to provide up to $1,000 per year for foster students to access additional academic support. Scholarships also pay for assessments, book, or other applicable educational materials to support foster students academically and get them back on track. We provided 20 scholarships totaling $3,960 for foster children throughout Iowa in fiscal year 2025.
  4. $15,805 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE A CLOTHING CLOSET, HAIRCUT VOUCHERS,HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUNDLE, SENIOR CELEBRATION AND SENIOR PHOTOS PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT FOR FOSTER FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.
  5. OTHER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES PROVIDED INCLUDE A CLOTHING CLOSET, 15805. 0. 15029.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2006.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.