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Hope for the Fatherless

EIN 82-3819644 · Castle Pines, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HFTF serves orphaned and vulnerable children in Ethiopia, and its mission is to see every child thriving in a loving family. HFTF accomplishes this through five primary initiatives: in-country adoption training and placement, family preservation programs, life skills training for orphaned and vulnerable children, residential care and transition homes, and Tesfa Mender (HFTF's rehabilitation center for street children).

Income
$665,169
Spending
$422,378
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
16.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
2

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 87% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.5 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 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $392,644 spent. Hope for the Fatherless (HFTF) provides rescue, rehabilitation, and restoration for Ethiopian children trapped in institutions or homelessness on the streets. HFTF's vision is to see every child thriving in a loving family. HFTF accomplishes this in five primary ways: (1) IN-COUNTRY ADOPTION (In partnership with the Ethiopian government, HFTF screens and trains adoptive families, matches and places orphaned children, and provides post-placement support. Through 2025, HFTF has placed 191 children with their forever families and trained 280 adoptive families currently waiting to be matched.); (2) FAMILY PRESERVATION (HFTF supports a number of single moms and vulnerable children to enable them to stay together and prevent the children from being orphaned, covering expenses for education, necessities, medical care, counseling, and more. In 2025 HFTF sponsored 16 families.); (3) LIFE SKILLS TRAINING (HFTF provides orphaned and vulnerable children with mentoring, tutoring, summer and extracurricular programs, counseling, and life skills training. For children aging out of HFTF and into adulthood, HFTF provides opportunities to attend university or trade school, or to train and apprentice in self-sustaining ventures at HFTF such as the leather workshop and barista program.); (4) RESIDENTIAL CARE (At Hope House, Faith House, and Joy House, HFTF provides children a small, family-like group home with committed caregivers, excellent academic opportunities, and holistic care. In this safe, loving, and peaceful environment, children are able to flourish and heal.); and (5) TESFA MENDER (Tesfa Mender (translated "Hope Village") is a residential program to rescue homeless children from the streets. Located outside the city of Addis Ababa, Tesfa Mender provides a safe and nurturing place where street kids can rehabilitate, heal, and learn vital life skills and receive job training so that they can become healthy and whole members of their communities.).

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2018.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.