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Polite Tumor

EIN 81-4814298 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair57 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

POLITE TUMOR'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO YOUNG ADULTS UNDER 40 WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER. WHEN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE COMES WITH STRINGS ATTACHED, THE MESSAGE IS "WE KNOW WHAT YOU NEED MORE THAN YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED." POLITE TUMOR CHALLENGES THAT MODEL. WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT CANCER IS EXPENSIVE, THAT EVERY PERSON'S NEEDS ARE DIFFERENT, AND THAT NO ONE CAN FORESEE THE FINANCIAL OBSTACLES THAT WILL BE THROWN THEIR WAY. WE'RE GIVING THIS COMMUNITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK BEYOND THEIR DIAGNOSIS AND THEIR TREATMENT, WE'RE PROVIDING THE FREEDOM TO HEAL HOWEVER THEY DEFINE IT.

Income
$371,649
Spending
$276,692
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
24.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 65%
Employees
0
Volunteers
9

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 24.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% 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

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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

    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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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. $275,000 spent. TO ALLEVIATE THE FINANCIAL IMPACT ON WOMEN DIAGNOSED AT AN UNEXPECTEDLY YOUNG AGE.

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 April 2018.

    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.