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Mothers in Arms

EIN 83-2893578 · Columbus, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceWeak45 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Motherful supports, empowers, and nurtures single mothers and their families with resources, community and education, arts and wellness.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
3
Highest pay
$184,104, cofounderdirector

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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 73% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    1 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    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

    0 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 (7)
  1. $136,921 spent. Motherful Collective:Community, Resources, Education, Arts & Wellness. Community & collective care initiatives substantially improve the health & wellness of single mothers and their families. Monthly community conversations, experiential arts events, and community dinners forge a sense of connectedness that profoundly impacts member well-being. In a major step toward advancing housing stability, Motherful launced a Co-Housing Development, Motherful Village, slated for completion in 2026. In addition to collectively amplifying member voices, Motherful also works to promote racial, gender, environmental, economic, and maternal justice.
  2. $228,510 spent. Mothers Fund: Grants & Material Resources & Support. Motherfuls multifaceted approach has the potential to increase financial stability, food security, housing stability, community cohesion, and wellness among members. Micro-lending initiatives and emergency fund grants are invaluable in creating financial stability. Programs reflected here are Motherfuls Emergency Fund, Gifts of Kindness, Ohio Mothers Trust, and Circle of Care which grant financial assistance in times of need. Financial education is fostered in Motherfuls facilitiaton of the Community Financial Wellness program.
  3. $573,181 spent. Motherful Food Program: Food Pantry, Community Garden, Resource Garage and Composting Program. Motherful serves our entire collective of 600 single mother families as well as non-members every Sunday, providing immediate access to nutritional food, as well as funds to cover the cost of transportation to the center. Cooking classes are also offered to empower women to prepare healthy and budget-friendly meals. The Resource Garage and Pantry are open to members 3 days each week, hosting vendors from various resource and social services partners such as Franklin County Job and Family Services, Ohio Womens Alliance, and Mobile Justice pro-bono legal advisors.
  4. $553,427 spent. Fiscal Sponsees: Fostering programs supporting communities of women, i.e. Loving Black Single Mothers, Black Women's Resistance Project, and MF Atl.
  5. Expenses: $553427.00 including grants of: $126797.00 Revenue: $40473.00
  6. Fiscal Sponsees: Fostering programs supporting communities of women, i.e.
  7. Loving Black Single Mothers, Black Women's Resistance Project, and MF Atl.

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 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 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 December 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 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.