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Make a Day Foundation

EIN 82-3422637 · Columbus, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EMPOWERING THE IMPOVERISHED THROUGH INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY EVENTS, ACTS OF KINDNESS, OUTREACH, ADVOCACY, AND EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS.

Income
$570,441
Spending
$433,587
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
12 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 61%
Employees
8
Volunteers
245
Highest pay
$91,716, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.0 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 24% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $349,482 spent. PROGRAM 1: STABILIZE MAKE-A-DAY DELIVERED MOBILE AND POP-UP OUTREACH SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR HOUSING INSTABILITY IN COLUMBUS, OHIO. CORE ACTIVITIES INCLUDED POP-UP CARE VILLAGES AND MOBILE VAN OUTREACH, PROVIDING DIRECT ASSISTANCE, FOOD ACCESS, PERSONAL CARE, AND CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES AT THE POINT OF NEED. IN 2025, MAKE-A-DAY HAD 11,483 ENGAGEMENTS WITH NEIGHBORS THROUGH MEALS, PARTNER SERVICES, RESOURCE NAVIGATION, AND HAIRCUTS. PROGRAM 2: RESTORE MAKE-A-DAY PROVIDED HOUSING NAVIGATION AND STABILITY SUPPORT THROUGH ITS MAD SOLUTIONS PROGRAM, HELPING INDIVIDUALS PROBLEM- SOLVE HOUSING CRISES AND CONNECT TO LONGER-TERM RESOURCES. IN 2025, MAKE- A-DAY SERVED 151 INDIVIDUALS WITH INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT. PROGRAM 3: ADVANCE MAKE-A-DAY SUPPORTED ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND JUSTICE NAVIGATION THROUGH ITS MOVE THE BOX INITIATIVE, PROVIDING EXPUNGEMENT ASSISTANCE, RECORD SEALING SUPPORT, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT SERVICES. THIS PROGRAM ADDRESSED STRUCTURAL BARRIERS THAT LIMIT ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT. IN 2025, MAKE-A-DAY PROVIDED 75 INDIVIDUALS WITH LEGAL NAVIGATION AND SUPPORT. PROGRAM 1: STABILIZE MAKE-A-DAY DELIVERED MOBILE AND POP-UP OUTREACH SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR HOUSING INSTABILITY IN COLUMBUS, OHIO. CORE ACTIVITIES INCLUDED POP-UP CARE VILLAGES AND MOBILE VAN OUTREACH, PROVIDING DIRECT ASSISTANCE, FOOD ACCESS, PERSONAL CARE, AND CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES AT THE POINT OF NEED. IN 2025, MAKE-A-DAY HAD 11,483 ENGAGEMENTS WITH NEIGHBORS THROUGH MEALS, PARTNER SERVICES, RESOURCE NAVIGATION, AND HAIRCUTS. PROGRAM 2: RESTORE MAKE-A-DAY PROVIDED HOUSING NAVIGATION AND STABILITY SUPPORT THROUGH ITS MAD SOLUTIONS PROGRAM, HELPING INDIVIDUALS PROBLEM- SOLVE HOUSING CRISES AND CONNECT TO LONGER-TERM RESOURCES. IN 2025, MAKE- A-DAY SERVED 151 INDIVIDUALS WITH INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT. PROGRAM 3: ADVANCE MAKE-A-DAY SUPPORTED ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND JUSTICE NAVIGATION THROUGH ITS MOVE THE BOX INITIATIVE, PROVIDING EXPUNGEMENT ASSISTANCE, RECORD SEALING SUPPORT, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT SERVICES. THIS PROGRAM ADDRESSED STRUCTURAL BARRIERS THAT LIMIT ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT. IN 2025, MAKE-A-DAY PROVIDED 75 INDIVIDUALS WITH LEGAL NAVIGATION AND SUPPORT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.

    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.