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Family Initiative Inc

EIN 84-1880993 · Emporia, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak38 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 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

TO ENCOURAGE THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION'S AFFILIATES IN CHILD PLACEMENT AND CHILD GUIDANCE SERVICES UNDER GOVERNMENTAL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC, AND IN PROVIDING A FAMILY LIVING EXPERIENCE, ALONG WITH SUPERVISION, STRUCTURE AND GUIDANCE FOR CHILDREN IN NEED OF CARE AND CHILDREN WHO ARE JUVENILE OFFENDERS.

Income
$191.0 million
Spending
$199.1 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
-1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 94%
Employees
1,234
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$479,047, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 138% 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 43% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).

  • 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 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 (3)
  1. $182.5 million spent. TEXAS SINGLE SOURCE CONTINUUM CONTRACTOR: TEXAS FAMILY INITIATIVE IS A SINGLE SOURCE CONTINUUM CONTRACTOR (SSCC) IN REGION 2 AND REGION 3E OF TEXAS. AS A SSCC PROVIDER WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FINDING AND MANAGING FOSTER HOMES, KINSHIP PLACEMENTS, AND OTHER RESIDENTIAL CARE OPTIONS FOR THE YOUTH IN THESE REGIONS. WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES WHERE WE PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT AND OVERSIGHT TO EACH CASE FROM INITIAL PLACEMENT TO FAMILY REUNIFICATION OR OTHER PERMANENCY GOALS. SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING THERAPEUTIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND OTHER SERVICES ARE OFFERED TO THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. DURING THIS PERIOD THERE WAS A DAILY AVERAGE OF 4,917 CHILDREN SERVED BY THE FAMILY INITIATIVE, INC.
  2. $6.4 million spent. RESIDENTIAL AND INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICE: THE PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY (PRTF), QUALIFIED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY (QRTP), AND BLUE SKIES RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES WORK ACTIVELY WITH FAMILIES, CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES, HOSPITALS, AND COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS, IN COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP, TO OFFER STRENGTHS BASED, CULTURALLY COMPETENT, AND MEDICALLY APPROPRIATE TREATMENT DESIGNED TO MEE THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF THE RESIDENT, INCLUDING THOSE RESIDENTS WITH SEVERE EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOR ISSUES. DURING THIS PERIOD AND AVERAGE OF 22 YOUTH WERE SERVED EACH MONTH AT THE PRTF, QRTP, AND BLUE SKIES FACILITIES.THE TEENS REACHING ADULT INDEPENDENT LIVING (TRAIL) PROGRAM ASSISTS YOUNG PEOPLE NAVIGATE WHAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE VERY COMPLICATED PATH FROM ADOLESCENCE TO ADULTHOOD FOR CHILDREN PREPARING TO AGE OUT OF THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM DURING THIS PERIOD ON AVERAGE OF 9 YOUTH WERE SERVED EACH MONTH BY TRAIL.
  3. $4.7 million spent. RESOURCE FOSTER CARE: WHILE THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS AND TYPES OF RESOURCE CARE WITHIN THE PROGRAM, THE PRIMARY FOCUS IS TO WORK CLOSELY WITH EACH AND EVERY RESOURCE CARE FAMILY. SOME OF THE SERVICES INCLUDE: 24 HOUR ON-CALL SOCIAL WORKER, SUPPORT MEETINGS, FREE ONGOING TRAINING, RESPITE CARE.RESOURCE FAMILIES PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE HOME LIKE SETTING FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO SAFELY LIVE WITH THEIR PARENTS. RESOURCE PARENTS UNDERGO TRAINING AND STATE LICENSURE TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE KNOWLEDGBLE ABOUT THE SPECIAL CHALLENGES CHILDREN WHO ARE PLACED WITH THEM MIGHT FACE, AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH SKILLS TO WORK WITH THE CHILD. THE CHILD'S FAMILY, THE SOCIAL WORKER OR CASE MANAGER, AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM. THE FAMILY INITIATIVE, INC PROVIDES SPONSORSHIP FOR STATE LICENSED RESOURCE FAMILIES AND PROVIDES SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO ASSIST THEM WITH ANY PROBLEMS OR CHALLENGES THAT MIGHT OCCUR DURING THE PLACEMENT FO A CHILD IN A HOME. DURING THIS PERIOD THERE WERE 149 RESOURCE HOMES WITH 511 CHILDREN PLACED IN THE HOMES THAT WERE SPONSORED BY THE FAMILY INITIATIVE, INC.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 May 2020.

    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.