Giving Words Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 47% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
ASSISTING YOUNG OR SINGLE MOTHERS AS WELL AS THE ELDERLY
- Income
- $236,393
- Spending
- $179,274
- Spent on programs
- 47%
- Reserves
- 7.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 93%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $70,000, 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
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1547% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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
Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 4 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.
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 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 (5)
- $43,296 spent. CAR REPAIR PROGRAM 2025: IN COOPERATION WITH THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM'S CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM, WE CONTINUED OUR PROGRAM WITH THE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY CLASSES TO SERVICE SINGLE MOMS' CARS. IN 2025, WE REPAIRED 33 CARS. WITH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS, AUTOZONE, GLASS SHOPS, UPHOLSTERY SHOPS, AND AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOPS, WE CAN CUT COSTS BETWEEN 30%-70% AND PROVIDE THE REPAIR SERVICES TO MOTHERS AT NO COST TO THEM. IN RURAL AREAS ESPECIALLY, BUT ALSO IN SMALLER CITIES, PROVIDING AND MAINTAINING RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION IS A KEY.
- $30,972 spent. CAR GIFTING PROGRAM 2025: ALSO, WE REPAIR DONATED CARS TO GIVE AWAY. IN 2025, GIVING WORDS GAVE AWAY 8 CARS TO MOTHERS IN NEED. CURRENTLY, WE ACCEPT PRIVATE DONATIONS OF CARS, BUT WE HAVE CREATED A PARTNERSHIP WITH CARTER MYERS AUTOMOTIVE, A BUSINESS THAT HOUSES OVER 28 VIRGINIA DEALERSHIPS. NOT ONLY HAVE THEY REPAIRED CARS FOR US WHEN A CERTAIN DEALERSHIP, SUCH AS SUBARU, WAS NECESSARY, BUT THEY ALSO HAVE ASSISTED OUR MOTHERS WITH WISE PURCHASES AND PLAN TO HELP US IN THE ACQUISITION OF AFFORDABLE, BUT RELIABLE USED CARS FOR OUR INCREASED DEMAND. EVERY CAR THAT WE GIVE AWAY IS INSPECTED, DETAILED, AND THOROUGHLY CHECKED OVER BY AN AUTO MECHANIC. THIS YEAR, TWO CMA SUBARU DEALERSHIPS, IN RICHMOND AND STAUNTON, CHOSE TO SPONSOR GIVING WORDS IN THEIR "SUBARU SHARE THE LOVE" EVENT IN DECEMBER 2025. FOR EVERY SUBARU SOLD AT THAT DEALERSHIP, THEY WILL DONATE 300 TO GIVING WORDS. CAR GIFTING PROGRAM 2025: ALSO, WE REPAIR DONATED CARS TO GIVE AWAY. IN 2025, GIVING WORDS GAVE AWAY 8 CARS TO MOTHERS IN NEED. CURRENTLY, WE ACCEPT PRIVATE DONATIONS OF CARS, BUT WE HAVE CREATED A PARTNERSHIP WITH CARTER MYERS AUTOMOTIVE, A BUSINESS THAT HOUSES OVER 28 VIRGINIA DEALERSHIPS. NOT ONLY HAVE THEY REPAIRED CARS FOR US WHEN A CERTAIN DEALERSHIP, SUCH AS SUBARU, WAS NECESSARY, BUT THEY ALSO HAVE ASSISTED OUR MOTHERS WITH WISE PURCHASES AND PLAN TO HELP US IN THE ACQUISITION OF AFFORDABLE, BUT RELIABLE USED CARS FOR OUR INCREASED DEMAND. EVERY CAR THAT WE GIVE AWAY IS INSPECTED, DETAILED, AND THOROUGHLY CHECKED OVER BY AN AUTO MECHANIC. THIS YEAR, TWO CMA SUBARU DEALERSHIPS, IN RICHMOND AND STAUNTON, CHOSE TO SPONSOR GIVING WORDS IN THEIR "SUBARU SHARE THE LOVE" EVENT IN DECEMBER 2025. FOR EVERY SUBARU SOLD AT THAT DEALERSHIP, THEY WILL DONATE 300 TO GIVING WORDS.
- $9,514 spent. FINANCIAL RESOURCE PROGRAM 2025: WE RECOGNIZE THAT ALL FAMILIES INCUR IRREGULAR EXPENSES THAT DEMAND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES; SINGLE MOTHERS OFTEN DO NOT HAVE THAT CUSHION. WE STRIVE TO MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH COMMUNITY BUSINESSES, LOCAL CHURCHES, AND OTHER NON-PROFITS SO THE MOTHERS DO NOT HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GO NEXT. IF WE CAN CONNECT THEM TO A RESOURCE THAT IS ALREADY AVAILABLE, LIKE A LOCAL FOOD BANK OR SOCIAL SERVICES, WE DO SO. IF THAT SERVICE IS UNAVAILABLE OR UNDERREPRESENTED, WE FIND A METHOD TO MEET THAT NEED. THIS YEAR, WE GAVE AWAY SCHOOL SUPPLIES, DIAPERS, AND WIPES, PROVIDED FREE LAY AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING, AND OFFERED FREE CLOTHING, FURNITURE, AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS TO MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH LOCAL CONSIGNMENT SHOPS AND PRIVATE DONATIONS. FOR ALL THESE SERVICES, WE PAY FOR THEM OR RECEIVE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. FINANCIAL RESOURCE PROGRAM 2025: WE RECOGNIZE THAT ALL FAMILIES INCUR IRREGULAR EXPENSES THAT DEMAND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES; SINGLE MOTHERS OFTEN DO NOT HAVE THAT CUSHION. WE STRIVE TO MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH COMMUNITY BUSINESSES, LOCAL CHURCHES, AND OTHER NON-PROFITS SO THE MOTHERS DO NOT HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO GO NEXT. IF WE CAN CONNECT THEM TO A RESOURCE THAT IS ALREADY AVAILABLE, LIKE A LOCAL FOOD BANK OR SOCIAL SERVICES, WE DO SO. IF THAT SERVICE IS UNAVAILABLE OR UNDERREPRESENTED, WE FIND A METHOD TO MEET THAT NEED. THIS YEAR, WE GAVE AWAY SCHOOL SUPPLIES, DIAPERS, AND WIPES, PROVIDED FREE LAY AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING, AND OFFERED FREE CLOTHING, FURNITURE, AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS TO MOTHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH LOCAL CONSIGNMENT SHOPS AND PRIVATE DONATIONS. FOR ALL THESE SERVICES, WE PAY FOR THEM OR RECEIVE THEM FREE OF CHARGE.
- $554 spent. STUDENT GIVE BACK PROGRAM 2025: SINCE THIS PROGRAM STARTED, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GIVE BACK TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS THAT SERVE OUR SINGLE MOTHERS. IN 2025, WE GAVE AWAY 6 TOOL KITS TO OUTSTANDING STUDENTS IN THE LOUISA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAM. RESPONSES FROM OUR MOTHERS 1. "WOW, WHERE CAN I BEGIN? WELL, I HAVE BEEN REALLY GOING THROUGH TOUGH TIMES BECAUSE MY HUSBAND OF 23 YEARS WALKED AWAY AND LEFT US TO FEND FOR OURSELVES WITH ONE INCOME AND A CAR THAT NEEDED REPAIRS, BILLS THAT NEEDED TO BE PAID, AND RESPONSIBILITIES THAT COULD NOT BE IGNORED GOD SURELY SHOWED UP IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE AND CONTINUES TO SHOW UP DAILY. GOD SENT A GROUP OF PEOPLE INTO MY LIFE DURING SUCH A TREMENDOUS STORM, AND THEY (GIVING WORDS) HELPED ME WHEN NO ONE ELSE COULD OR SEEMED TO CARE TO MY CAR IS UP AND RUNNING, I DID NOT LOSE MY JOB, AND MY BILLS ARE COMING ALONG LIFE IS STILL A SONG AND DANCE EVERY DAY, BUT GIVING WORDS MADE THE SONG SO MUCH SWEETER AND THE DANCE A LOT LESS STRENUOUS I AM TRULY BLESSED, AND THIS HAS GIVEN ME THE ABILITY TO TAKE A FEW MORE STEPS TOWARDS BETTER DAYS THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH GIVING WORDS KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ALL ARE DOING BECAUSE SO MANY OF US (SINGLE PARENTS) OUT HERE JUST NEED ONE "YES" OF LOVE, KINDNESS AND SUPPORT TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT DAY (LITERALLY)" 2. "I AM SO EXCITED TO HAVE MY OWN VEHICLE. I FEEL LIKE I FINALLY HAVE INDEPENDENCE. NOW, I DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR A LONG TIME FOR SOMEBODY TO TAKE ME EVERYWHERE. I AM THANKFUL FOR EVERYONE WHO HELPED ME. GOD HAS BEEN SO FAITHFUL TO ME. I ALSO WANT TO GIVE OUT A SHOUT OUT TO THE GIVING WORDS TEAM FOR HELPING ME FIND A VEHICLE AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO DONATED. MY HEART GOES TO YOU ALL." 3. THAT FIRST DRIVE HOME ISN'T JUST A TRIP-IT'S A FRESH START. IT MEANS GETTING TO WORK WITH CONFIDENCE, TAKING CHILDREN WHERE THEY NEED TO GO, AND NO LONGER WORRYING ABOUT HOW TO GET THROUGH THE DAY.
- STUDENT GIVE BACK PROGRAM 2025: SINCE THIS PROGRAM STARTED, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GIVE BACK TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS THAT SERVE OUR SINGLE MOTHERS. IN 2025, WE GAVE AWAY 6 TOOL KITS TO OUTSTANDING STUDENTS IN THE LOUISA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAM. RESPONSES FROM OUR MOTHERS 1. "WOW, WHERE CAN I BEGIN? WELL, I HAVE BEEN REALLY GOING THROUGH TOUGH TIMES BECAUSE MY HUSBAND OF 23 YEARS WALKED AWAY AND LEFT US TO FEND FOR OURSELVES WITH ONE INCOME AND A CAR THAT NEEDED REPAIRS, BILLS THAT NEEDED TO BE PAID, AND RESPONSIBILITIES THAT COULD NOT BE IGNORED GOD SURELY SHOWED UP IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE AND CONTINUES TO SHOW UP DAILY. GOD SENT A GROUP OF PEOPLE INTO MY LIFE DURING SUCH A TREMENDOUS STORM, AND THEY (GIVING WORDS) HELPED ME WHEN NO ONE ELSE COULD OR SEEMED TO CARE TO MY CAR IS UP AND RUNNING, I DID NOT LOSE MY JOB, AND MY BILLS ARE COMING ALONG LIFE IS STILL A SONG AND DANCE EVERY DAY, BUT GIVING WORDS MADE THE SONG SO MUCH SWEETER AND THE DANCE A LOT LESS STRENUOUS I AM TRULY BLESSED, AND THIS HAS GIVEN ME THE ABILITY TO TAKE A FEW MORE STEPS TOWARDS BETTER DAYS THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH GIVING WORDS KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ALL ARE DOING BECAUSE SO MANY OF US (SINGLE PARENTS) OUT HERE JUST NEED ONE "YES" OF LOVE, KINDNESS AND SUPPORT TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT DAY (LITERALLY)" 2. "I AM SO EXCITED TO HAVE MY OWN VEHICLE. I FEEL LIKE I FINALLY HAVE INDEPENDENCE. NOW, I DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR A LONG TIME FOR SOMEBODY TO TAKE ME EVERYWHERE. I AM THANKFUL FOR EVERYONE WHO HELPED ME. GOD HAS BEEN SO FAITHFUL TO ME. I ALSO WANT TO GIVE OUT A SHOUT OUT TO THE GIVING WORDS TEAM FOR HELPING ME FIND A VEHICLE AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO DONATED. MY HEART GOES TO YOU ALL." 3. THAT FIRST DRIVE HOME ISN'T JUST A TRIP-IT'S A FRESH START. IT MEANS GETTING TO WORK WITH CONFIDENCE, TAKING CHILDREN WHERE THEY NEED TO GO, AND NO LONGER WORRYING ABOUT HOW TO GET THROUGH THE DAY.
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
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 December 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 February 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 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.