December 5th Fund
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The December 5th Fund's purpose is to provide families affected with cancer a strategically planned out day to strengthen family values, while also offering in-home maintenance services for the family such as housecleaning, minor home repairs, laundry, and lawn care regardless of race, ethnicity, or origin.
- Income
- $173,888
- Spending
- $209,700
- Spent on programs
- 67%
- Reserves
- 0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 96%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 985
- Highest pay
- $75,000, 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
Weak: 31 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 79% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1567% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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
Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
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 (2)
- $127,780 spent. Great Day Program. Our Great Day Program is the foundation for The December 5th Fund. It was inspired by the last great day that our founder and his children had with his late-wife before she passed away from cancer a month later. It was a day full of small moments that still continues to inspire countless families across the St. Louis region. This program is more than just an exciting and relaxing day out for a family with a sick loved one. It's a day to get back one of the most precious commodities in life while you're caring for someone with cancer - time. Our team gives families a day they will never forget, long after the burden of cancer is gone. This day could involve breakfast for 20 at a favorite restaurant or tickets to their favorite sporting event. Whatever the family enjoys, we will design a custom experience based on their specific needs. While the family is out enjoying their day, our team of local volunteers work tirelessly to ensure the family returns home to a pleasant and stress-free surprise. Often, this includes updated landscaping with new outdoor furniture, a spotless and organized home, and the completion of many other household chores that become overwhelming when you are fighting cancer or caring for someone who is. Since helping our first family in 2016, The December 5th Fund has provided Great Day experiences and Helping Hands support services to more than 115 families in the bi-state region. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in special experiences, improvements/renovations to homes, and support services have been provided at absolutely no charge to families dealing with a cancer diagnosis.
- $11,968 spent. Helping Hands Support Plan. The Helping Hands Program is intended to be an extension of The December 5th Fund's Great Day Program. Though other organizations provide services similar to our Great Day program, we are the only organization in the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan area committed to providing on-going support connected to household maintenance. Our program is without restrictions based on the age or other demographics of the cancer patient. After initially providing only Great Day experiences, we learned that many of our families also have a need for on-going support and continuous care. From the onset of the illness, family caretakers are under significant strain to support their family member through the cancer treatment process while also maintaining a household and continuing employment. Sometimes the cancer patient is also a caregiver to their children as well. We want these families to have the much needed quality time together instead of worrying about the burdens of household chores. We believe The December 5th Fund accomplishes this through our continuous care support offered with the Helping Hands Support Plan. The Helping Hands Support Plan provides our families with 3 or 6 months of continuous care as they navigate the difficulties of cancer treatment. This care includes weekly meal prep services, weekly laundry services, housecleaning every 2 weeks, lawn care every 3 weeks, and childcare on an as-needed basis.
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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2016.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.