Ferguson Road Initiative
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Engage and empower a community of advocates to advance a safe, beautiful, prosperous and proud community in Far East Dallas.
- Income
- $400,287
- Spending
- $325,746
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 15.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 6
- Volunteers
- 3,594
- Highest pay
- $56,410, 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $34,405 spent. Communication: FRI employs a comprehensive communication strategy to engage a diverse network of stakeholders, including 84, 000 constituents, 52 multi-family complexes, 30 faith communities, 2,000 businesses, and 20 nonprofit organizations. The annual FRIdays print magazine (18,000 households), the monthly digital NewsFlash newsletter (2,000 readers), monthly Resource Directory supports low-income families through its distribution to apartment, church, and school communities. FRI hosts semi-annual Community Connection Town Halls and Crime Task Force meetings to promote civic engagement, public safety, and social cohesion. Semi-annual briefing reports are shared with donors, members, and volunteers to highlight progress. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram enhance outreach, and special events, resource fairs, and celebrations provide additional engagement opportunities. FRI's communication efforts are consistent, inclusive, and mission-driven, reinforcing its role as a trusted community connector in Far East Dallas.
- $222,114 spent. Community-Building: FRI serves as a backbone organization in Far East Dallas, operating as a grassroots, participatory organization whose key program is community-building. Its approach is intentional and strategic, beginning with the identification of service gaps and the formation of project coalitions to address community needs. By mobilizing local leadership and fostering collaboration, FRI works to improve the overall quality of life in Far East Dallas. The organization provides continuous support by guiding vision and strategy, securing funding, convening stakeholders, aligning activities, and establishing shared measurements. It also plays a key role in building public trust, communicating progress, advancing policy, and mobilizing resources. These efforts contribute to a strong collective impact among area nonprofit partners, enabling them to not only meet but exceed their missions. FRI operates behind the scenes to ensure their success, with its greatest strength lying in the development of civic leadership. Through identification, training, and coaching, FRI empowers leaders to work collaboratively and solve problems within their own communities.
- $20,922 spent. Financial Services/Education: For the past 20 years, FRI has been a vital resource for low-income individuals earning less than $67,000 annually, offering support through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Financial Education Literacy programs. Since launching these services in 2005, FRI has prepared 18,200 free income tax returns, contributing to the retention of over $3.5 million in the Far East Dallas community through tax refunds. The organization primarily serves Hispanic families, with more than 60% of its clients being non-English speakers, reflecting its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. In 2025 alone, FRI prepared 325 free tax returns, generating $388,256 in refunds for local taxpayers. By offering these services at no cost, FRI helped clients save an average of $190 per return in preparation fees. In addition to tax assistance, FRI provided 645 hours of financial education and literacy services, reinforcing its mission to empower families with the knowledge and tools needed to achieve financial stability.
- In 2025, in collaboration with an area food pantry, FRI launched a direct food distribution service to (2) area apartment complexes with large populations without access to transportation. Going into 2026, the goal will be to not only increase apartments served but also provide other important resources to these communities such as voter registration, family violence prevention, and workforce training opportunities. With the support of our City Council members, a portion of the Far East Dallas community will become the Far East Dallas Public Improvement District (FEDPID) in 2026. By establishing FEDPID we will be significantly building upon the safety and beautification efforts that the Ferguson Road Initiative (FRI) began in 1998. FEDPID will provide a long-term funding source for the community-building efforts of FRI. The FEDPID service plan will allocate 41% of its annual revenue to extended neighborhood patrols (ENP), law enforcement and public safety initiatives, and crime prevention efforts. Additionally, revenue will also be used for beautification, enhanced landscaping, capital improvements, public amenities, and communication with property owners.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1999.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.