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Hilinskis Hope Inc

EIN 82-5152956 · Irmo, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak15 out of 100GovernanceWeak27 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

HILINSKI'S HOPE WAS FOUNDED BY MARK AND KYM HILINSKI TO HONOR THE LIFE OF THEIR SON, TYLER HILINSKI, WHO DIED BY SUICIDE ON JANUARY 16,2018. TYLER WAS A DIVISION-1 QUARTERBACK AT WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY AND HIS DEATH WAS A SHOCK TO THOSE AROUND HIM, INCLUDING HIS TEAMMATES, FAMILY AND FRIENDS. HE SHOWED NO SIGNS OF DEPRESSION OR MENTAL ILLNESS AND MUST HAVE BEEN SUFFERING IN SILENCE. THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO EDUCATE, ADVOCATE AND REMOVE THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, WHILE FUNDING PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE STUDENT-ATHLETES WITH THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

Income
$335,148
Spending
$573,269
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0

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

Weak: 15 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 192% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 71% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 57% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% 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

Weak: 27 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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 (3)
  1. $477,587 spent. CONNECTING STUDENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES. ASSISTING UNIVERSITIES TO INSTITUTIONALIZE BEST PRACTICES AND GENERATING THE FUNDING NECESSARY TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT WILL HELP DESTIGMATIZE MENTAL ILLNESS.
  2. $5,230 spent. CONNECTING STUDENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES. ASSISTING UNIVERSITIES TO INSTITUTIONALIZE BEST PRACTICES AND GENERATING THE FUNDING NECESSARY TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT WILL HELP DESTIGMATIZE MENTAL ILLNESS.
  3. CONNECTING STUDENTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES. ASSISTING UNIVERSITIES TO INSTITUTIONALIZE BEST PRACTICES AND GENERATING THE FUNDING NECESSARY TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT WILL HELP DESTIGMATIZE MENTAL ILLNESS.

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 February 2019.

    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.