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Mississippi Families for Kids

EIN 72-1371828 · Jackson, MS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ENSURE THAT EVERY CHILD IN FOSTER CARE AND IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM FINDS A PERMANENT HOME.

Income
$625,500
Spending
$644,117
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
11

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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (5)
  1. $113,126 spent. THE COUNSELING PROGRAM PROVIDES SERVICES TO FAMILIES AND CHILDREN WHO ARE MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY CHALLENGED DUE TO DEPRESSION, ADHD, CONDUCT DISORDERS AND OTHER MENTAL ISSUES. PART OF THIS PROGRAM IS THE SYSTEM OF CARE MODEL. THIS MODEL IS AN ORGANIZATIONAL PHILOSOPHY AND FRAMEWORK THAT INVOLVES COLLABORATION ACROSS AGENCIES, FAMILIES AND YOUTHS FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPROVING ACCESS AND EXPANDING THE ARRAY OF COORDINATED COMMUNITY-BASED, CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY COMPETENT SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SERIOUS EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
  2. $313,065 spent. HELP ME GROW - THE PURPOSE OF THE HELP ME GROW SYSTEM IS TO IDENTIFY AT- RISK CHILDREN AND TO HELP FAMILIES FIND COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THE HELP ME GROW SYSTEM TRAINS PHYSICIANS IN EARLY DETECTION SCREENING, SURVEILLANCE, AND CONNECTION TO SERVICES. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT HAVING THIS SYSTEM INCREASES EARLY IDENTIFICATION FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE AT- RISK FOR DELAYS. FAMILIES IN MISSISSIPPI SUFFER BECAUSE THEY LIVE IN AREAS WHERE THERE ARE4 LIMITED HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, LEAVING CHILDREN UNTREATED. THE OVERALL GOAL OF THE HELP ME GROW SYSTEM IS TO CLOSE SERVICE GAPS AND PROVIDE QUICK ACCESS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CENTRALIZED INFORMATION AND REFERRAL CENTER THAT WILL (1) CONNECT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO AN ARRAY OF COMMUNITY BASED CHILDREN'S HEALTH, EARLY CARE, AND EDUCATION, FAMILY SUPPORT AND MENTAL SERVICES WHERE THEY LIVE, AND (2) TO STRENGTHEN SKILLS IN DEVELOPMENTAL SURVEILLANCE AND SCREENING AND ENHANCE THE EARLY DETECTION OF CHILDREN AT RISK FOR ADVERSE DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES. HELP ME GROW - THE PURPOSE OF THE HELP ME GROW SYSTEM IS TO IDENTIFY AT- RISK CHILDREN AND TO HELP FAMILIES FIND COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THE HELP ME GROW SYSTEM TRAINS PHYSICIANS IN EARLY DETECTION SCREENING, SURVEILLANCE, AND CONNECTION TO SERVICES. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT HAVING THIS SYSTEM INCREASES EARLY IDENTIFICATION FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE AT- RISK FOR DELAYS. FAMILIES IN MISSISSIPPI SUFFER BECAUSE THEY LIVE IN AREAS WHERE THERE ARE4 LIMITED HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, LEAVING CHILDREN UNTREATED. THE OVERALL GOAL OF THE HELP ME GROW SYSTEM IS TO CLOSE SERVICE GAPS AND PROVIDE QUICK ACCESS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CENTRALIZED INFORMATION AND REFERRAL CENTER THAT WILL (1) CONNECT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO AN ARRAY OF COMMUNITY BASED CHILDREN'S HEALTH, EARLY CARE, AND EDUCATION, FAMILY SUPPORT AND MENTAL SERVICES WHERE THEY LIVE, AND (2) TO STRENGTHEN SKILLS IN DEVELOPMENTAL SURVEILLANCE AND SCREENING AND ENHANCE THE EARLY DETECTION OF CHILDREN AT RISK FOR ADVERSE DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES.
  3. $23,472 spent. RESPITE PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES A TEMPORARY SERVICE THAT ALLOWS PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES TO HAVE A BREAK.
  4. $75,374 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS AND EVENTS PROVIDED BY THE ORGANIZATION INCLUDED A YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THIS IS A WEEK LONG CAMP WHICH FOCUSES ON EQUIPING STUDENTS WITH THE SKILLS, RESOURCES, AND INFORMATION TO FINISH HIGH SCHOOL AND ENTER HIGHER EDUCATION. THE CAMP ALSO ACTS AS A MOTIVATIONAL GUIDE TO ENHANCE LEADERSHIP TRAITS WORKING ON SELF-ESTEEM, TEAMWORK, INTEGRITY, DETERMINATION, AND INDEPENDENCE. OTHER OUTREACH PROGRAMS INCLUDE REALATIVE RAISING OTHERS' CHILDREN (ROC), RATED PG (POSITVE GIRLS), AND REAL FLY GUYS (REALIZING EXCELLENCE AMOUNG LEADERS/FUTURE LEADING YOUTH).
  5. OTHER PROGRAMS AND EVENTS PROVIDED BY THE ORGANIZATION INCLUDED A YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. THIS IS A WEEK LONG CAMP WHICH FOCUSES ON EQUIPING STUDENTS WITH THE SKILLS, RESOURCES, AND INFORMATION TO FINISH HIGH SCHOOL AND ENTER HIGHER EDUCATION. THE CAMP ALSO ACTS AS A MOTIVATIONAL GUIDE TO ENHANCE LEADERSHIP TRAITS WORKING ON SELF-ESTEEM, TEAMWORK, INTEGRITY, DETERMINATION, AND INDEPENDENCE. OTHER OUTREACH PROGRAMS INCLUDE REALATIVE RAISING OTHERS' CHILDREN (ROC), RATED PG (POSITVE GIRLS), AND REAL FLY GUYS (REALIZING EXCELLENCE AMOUNG LEADERS/FUTURE LEADING YOUTH).

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 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 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 January 1998.

    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.

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.