Help One Child Mission to Children at Risk
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We exist to address the unique needs of foster children by providing practical and emotional support to the families in which they are placed. By partnering with local churches and community agencies, our mission is to strengthen foster, adoptive, and at-risk families by providing them with access to education, community, and tangible resources.
- Income
- $666,521
- Spending
- $706,899
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 1.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 85%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 3,171
- Highest pay
- $82,395, executive director
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
Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 23% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (6)
- $259,389 spent. Educating Families and the Community: 12 Parent Training and Seminars led to 413 parents in attendance. In this last fiscal year we presented to the community 17 times totaling 233 hours of education! We know that 40% of kids in foster care have three or more placements, and by equipping Adoptive, Foster, and Kinship parents to better care for their children we make a tremendous impact in combating that statistic. Foster (Resource) Parents are less likely to initiate placement disruption when they are equipped with education surrounding behavioral challenges and a supportive community of people who understand the unique experience of a foster parent. Each month we host trainings for caregivers to be educated on things such as trauma, attachment, and other adoption-related issues. In addition to those monthly trainings found virtually, we host in-person seminars around the bay area allowing families to go further in-depth in their understanding of the issues affecting their children. And because we know these caregivers can't do it alone, we equip the supportive communities around them. We raise awareness of foster care and who it impacts. We work diligently to break down stereotypes and to push people's understanding of those engaging with the foster care system, and build a foundation of knowledge around trauma and its effects on a developing brain. With understanding individuals can then support the children and families in a more sustainable and meaningful way. (exp class 200+400)
- $95,457 spent. Cultivating Community: Currently we offer 13 parent connection groups around the Bay Area, virtually, and two in the greater Sacramento area. Attended by 974 adults, these parents benefited from this critical program last fiscal year. Our groups offer a supportive community of people who understand the unique experience of a foster parent. Many attendees credit these groups as being their life-line and greatest source of encouragement. Listen to Adoptive Mom K's experience "Help One Child and its community really helped. We found a place that helped us feel normal and started to formulate what our new normal was. Openness and trust are natural among those that have shared in the same struggle; this was huge in letting our guard down." In addition to our caregiver gatherings we also offer our network of families Respite Events. This provides youth a chance to connect with peers while providing a meaningful volunteer opportunity and caregivers with a few hours of respite. At our seven respite events last fiscal year, 162 youth attended. And these two programs deployed a collective 3,918 hours of volunteer work. (exp class 300)
- $147,966 spent. Tangible Resources: We partner with churches and organizations throughout the year to raise awareness of the tangible needs of those impacted by the foster care system. Whether through an annual donation drive or through activating CarePortal (an online platform) our greater community can help bridge the gap. We saw the community show up and volunteer nearly 2,300 hours. Any amount of time spent in foster care is traumatic and has lasting consequences that put kids at high risk for devastating outcomes later in life. Children placed with a relative (or known individual i.e., godparent) have statistically lower rates of changes in placement than children in other settings. Often, these family members aren't prepared to take additional children into their care and can greatly benefit by the support of physical items such as bunk beds, car seats, etc. This past fiscal year through the partnership of 45 churches we saw 915 children and youth served by use of the CarePortal platform. (exp class 100+500+600-Giving Tree omitted, see additional program 2)
- $33,295 spent. Giving Tree: Without question our Giving Tree program has the largest audience annually. We partner with churches and organizations throughout the SF bay area to raise awareness of foster care by recruiting Christmas Presents to bring cheer to those impacted by foster care in our communities. Through a recent program analysis it was confirmed that the promotion of this program is the only time foster care is brought to the attention of the congregation from the pulpit for many of our church partners. During the 2023 Christmas season, we oversaw 1,830 gifts collected and dispersed to social workers and families at our Santa Shops. (exp class 100)
- $16,316 spent. In this past fiscal year we were able to partner with Contra Costa County to create two wellness rooms at their central and eastern division offices. These rooms were designed by GatherHouse Interior Designs and brought to life with the help of volunteers from our partner churches. Secondary trauma is a burden for more than just caregivers but for the social workers and child welfare staff members as well. These rooms will be available to those needing a few minutes to process, refuel, and refocus. We are thankful to have been able to say yes and to support the welfare of those who dedicate so much to vulnerable youth and families in our communities.
- $68,512 spent. Signs of Hope Camp: An overnight summer camp for children 7-12 years of age touched by foster care or adoption. Camp is held in the Santa Cruz Mountains and provides an opportunity for youth to spend the last days of summer learning about God's love and grace along with other campers who have similar life stories. By providing a fun and safe environment, campers are able to make and strengthen their connections with other campers, counselors, and God. In August 2024 the program hosted 42 campers and deployed 2,520 volunteer hours! Camp remains one of our most beloved programs by the youth who attend and the volunteers who serve all week as counselors. (camp only exp in class 300)
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
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 June 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 April 1994.
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.