Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation

EIN 83-1861429 · Frankfort, KY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE WANDA JOYCE ROBINSON FOUNDATION IS TO PROVIDE MENTORSHIP AND RESOURCES TO CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES IMPACTED BY INCARCERATION. THE FOUNDATION HAS THE UNIQUE CAPACITY TO "FILL THE GAPS" THAT MACRO-LEVEL SOCIAL SERVICES UNINTENTIONALLY CREATE. THE FOUNDATION UNITES THE OFFENDER, THEIR CHILDREN, LAW ENFORCEMENT, CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM, SCHOOLS, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESSES TO CREATE A FAMILY NETWORK. WITHIN THIS NETWORK, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS FOR BOTH THE INCARCERATED PARENT AND CHILD; SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NON- INCARCERATED PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS; TRAINING FOR EDUCATORS; AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR RELATIONSHIP BUILDING IN THE COMMUNITY. IT IS THE VISION OF THE FOUNDATION TO END THE CYCLE OF INCARCERATION BY PROVIDING THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH WE SERVE A PATH OF HOPE AND A VISION OF A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE.

Income
$619,218
Spending
$641,454
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
15
Volunteers
70

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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 73% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    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 (2)
  1. $480,865 spent. THE FOUNDATION OFFERS PROGRAMMING FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, CAREGIVERS, AND JUSTICE INVOLVED PARENTS. MORE THAN 500 CHILDREN AND YOUTH ARE SERVED BY WJRF THROUGH A SCHOOL-BASED SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT GROUP FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE OR HAVE HAD AN INCARCERATED PARENT, ONE-TO-ONE AND GROUP MENTORING, OPERATION MAKING A CHANGE- OMAC AN INTERVENTION PROGRAM FOR JUSTICE INVOLVED YOUTH, HIGH SCHOOL OUTREACH, SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GRADUATING SENIORS, AND A VARIETY OF POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.
  2. $32,132 spent. FOR CAREGIVERS, THE FOUNDATION ASSISTS WITH COMMUNITY BASED REFERRALS, BASIC NEEDS ASSISTANCE, AND SUPPORT GROUPS. FOR JUSTICE INVOLVED PARENTS, WJRF OFFERS PARENTING CLASSES, 4H LIFE PROGRAMMING WHICH INCLUDES CONTACT VISITATION BETWEEN PARENT AND CHILD, VIDEO VISITATION, AND RE-ENTRY SUPPORT.

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 October 13, 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 October 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 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.