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Shooting Star Foundation Inc

EIN 81-3983985 · Eden Prairie, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE ARE DEDICATED TO HELPING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS RECEIVE EARLY-INTERVENTIONAL THERAPY THAT CAN CHANGE THEIR LIVES.

Income
$250,498
Spending
$250,310
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
17.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 71%
Employees
3
Volunteers
29
Highest pay
$38,010, executive director

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 33 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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 (1)
  1. $156,971 spent. WE GIVE FINANCIAL SCHOLARSHIPS TO SELECT THERAPY PROVIDERS WORKING WITH CHILDREN AGE 0-8 WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS; TO HELP PAY FOR EARLY-INTERVENTIONAL THERAPY NEEDED TO HELP THEM REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. BY ENHANCING THEIR ACCESS TO THERAPY AT A CRITICAL PERIOD IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT, WE OFFER CHILDREN THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE IN SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND BEYOND.2024 KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTSWE PROVIDED SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS TO THREE LEADING PROVIDERS OF THERAPY FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. 1) FRASER, 2) SUNNYDAYS THERAPY, AND 3) GILLETTE CHILDREN'S.FRASER: DURING 2024, WE AWARDED 7 NEW SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS FOR $29,962 TO FRASER. WE EXPECT TO AWARD ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2025 TO FRASER AND RENEW SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2025 FOR FAMILIES THAT STILL QUALIFY.SUNNYDAYS THERAPY: DURING 2024, WE AWARDED 29 NEW SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS FOR $76,250 TO SUNNYDAYS THERAPY. WE EXPECT TO AWARD ADDTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS IN 2025 TO SUNNYDAYS THERAPY AND RENEW SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2025 FOR FAMILIES THAT STILL QUALIFY.GILLETTE CHILDREN'S: DURING 2024, WE AWARDED $25,000 TO THE GILLETTE - SHOOTING STAR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHOLARSHIP FUND AT GILLETTE.

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 October 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.