Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Following Francis

EIN 81-1652587 · Lafayette, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HAPPINESS AND RESPECT ARE THE BIRTHRIGHT OF EVERY PERSON. FOLLOWING FRANCIS DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM THE LIFE AND UNIVERSAL VALUES OF FRANCIS OF ASSISI AND SHARES RESOURCES TO HELP CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND NEIGHBORHOODS CLAIM THIS BIRTHRIGHT.

Income
$1.3 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
3
Volunteers
1,015

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: 53 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% 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: 76 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 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 (3)
  1. $1.2 million spent. FRANCIS ON THE HILL (FOH) HELPS ALLEVIATE ECONOMIC INSECURITY IN WASHINGTON DC BY PROVIDING FRESH, WHOLESOME GROCERIES AND NEW CLOTHING AND SEEKS TO ENHANCE THE BEAUTY OF PUBLIC SPACES IN AND AROUND MERIDIAN HILL PARK, THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF MANY RECIPIENTS. AN ADDITIONAL SERVICE THIS YEAR WAS THE COLLABORATION WITH UNITED HELP UKRAINE (501(C)(3)) TO SHIP SUPPLIES TO REFUGEES IN UKRAINE AND POLAND.
  2. $80,181 spent. FRANCIS IN THE DUNES (FID) SERVES CHILDREN AND FAMILIES LIVING IN ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED NEIGHBORHOODS IN MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA, PROVIDING WEEKLY SUMMER OUTINGS, GROCERIES, TOILETRIES, BEDS, BIKES, BASIC HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES, AND EDUCATIONAL TOYS. THE MAJOR FOCUS IS ON SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN THE CARVER APARTMENTS, 1008 CARVER ST, MYRTLE BEACH, SC 29577.
  3. $73,242 spent. FRANCIS IN THE SCHOOLS (FIS), OUR ORIGINAL PROGRAM, OFFERS INSPIRING FIELD TRIPS FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM IMPOVERISHED NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA AND GIVES THEM GIFTS OF QUALITY CLOTHES, SHOES, GROCERIES, BOOKS, EDUCATIONAL TOYS, AND NEEDED SUPPLIES. AND--IN RESPONSE TO THE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES OF THE PANDEMIC--SMALL CASH GIFTS FOR CHILDREN'S NEEDS. A NUMBER OF OUTDOOR CELEBRATIONS FOR THE CHILDREN AND GROCERY DISTRIBUTION AT VARIOUS SCHOOLS WERE HELD DURING THE PANDEMIC YEARS. THIS YEAR, WE COLLABORATED WITH WHITE PONY EXPRESS (501(C)(3)) TO SEND SUPPLIES TO REFUGEES IN UKRAINE AND POLAND.

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 November 6, 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 May 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 November 4, 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.