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Charityontop Foundation Inc

EIN 81-1198370 · Pasadena, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

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

What it says it does

CHARITY ON TOP HELPS DONORS GIVE MEANINGFUL GIFTS TO 2.3 MILLION CHARITIES THROUGH DIRECT DONATIONS AND CHARITY ON TOP GIFT CARDS. CHARITY ON TOP ALSO PROVIDES NONPROFIT CONSULTING TO COMPANIES AND NEW CHARITIES, AND OFFERS BENEFITS AND SUPPORT TO OTHER CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS.

Income
$490,996
Spending
$541,305
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-7.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
0
Volunteers
14

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

Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (mutual benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 185% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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 96% of charities in its peer group (mutual benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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.

  • 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, 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 (3)
  1. $364,787 spent. CHARITY ON TOP GIFT CARDS AND DIRECT DONATIONS SUPPORT THIRD PARTY CHARITIES. CHARITY ON TOP CHARITY GIFT CARDS ARE DESIGNED, PRINTED, LOADED, ACTIVATED AND SHIPPED FROM OUR LOCATION TO THE DONOR/RECIPIENT. RECIPIENTS VISIT THE CHARITY ON TOP WEBSITE TO REDEEM THEIR GIFT CARD FOR THE CHARITY OF THEIR CHOICE. CHARITY ON TOP PROVIDES SUPPORT VIA CHAT, EMAIL AND PHONE.
  2. $63,100 spent. CHARITY ON TOP PROVIDES FISCAL SPONSORSHIPS AND DONOR ADVISED FUNDS TO INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING CHARITABLE SERVICES.
  3. $40,503 spent. WITH OVER 40 YEARS OF COMBINED NONPROFIT INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE, CHARITY ON TOP PROVIDES FREE CONSULTING TO THE GIFT CARD INDUSTRY, NEW NONPROFITS, INDIVIDUAL DONORS AND THOSE FORMING NONPROFITS. THIS IS MOSTLY DONE VIA CONFERENCES, TRADE SHOWS, MEETINGS AND CONFERENCE CALLS.

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

  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 2025.

    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 2016.

    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.