Houston Synchrostars
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Public Charity. Synchronized Swimming. The organization provides the opportunity for swimmers to learn and participate in a program of competetive synchronized swimming and to apply a multitude of learned social and sports skills as they pursue their goals and compete.
- Income
- $299,064
- Spending
- $351,352
- Spent on programs
- 97%
- Reserves
- 0.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 64%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 50
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 40% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 17% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 4% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1597% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 (1)
- $341,117 spent. To assist & encourage young athletes from novice to elite in a nurturing, yet disciplined environment in which athletes can acquire the technical, physical, social, & mental skills required for the execution of synchronized swimming. Houston SynchroStars medaled at the 2023 US Junior Olympics (first Gold Medal in Club History), Junior & Senior US Nationals; achieved Club Excellence Level 2 (of only 2 clubs nationwide); Hosted Gulf Coast Association meets; participated in the PanAm Aquatics Artistic Swimming, Team USA World Championships in Greece. One Team Athlete qualified into the US Junior National Team. The club instills self-discipline, good sportsmanship, perseverance, endurance, self-confidence and teamwork which they can carry through to all aspects of their lives.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 October 13, 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 July 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 April 2018.
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 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.