Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Kindness Project

EIN 84-2299018 · Emmaus, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE BY OFFERING FREE ESSENTIAL RESOURCES AND ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

Income
$496,603
Spending
$242,925
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
26 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
0
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$72,119, executive director

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

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 51% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    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

    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, 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 (1)
  1. $159,283 spent. THE KINDNESS EXCHANGEWE SUPPLY CLOTHING, SHOES, FURNITURE AND OTHER ESSENTIAL ITEMS FREE OF CHARGE AS YOUTH IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM ARE PLACED IN THEIR HOMES. BY PROVISING CHILDREN WITH NEW OR GENTLY USED CLOTHING AND OTHER SUPPLIES, WE HOPE TO RAISE THEIR SELF-ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. YOUTH CAN VISIT AND HAVE A CHOICE IN WHAT THEY WANT TO WEAR AND PLAY WITH.WE HOPE TO DEFRAY ANY FINANICAL BURDEN, ESPECIALLY IN EMERGENCY PLACEMENT SITUATIONS, WHERE BUYING ITEMS LIKE CRIBS, STROLLERS, CAR SEATS AND DIAPERS CAN ADD UP VERY QUICKLY.OUR KINDNESS CONNECTIONS PROGRAM PROVIDES ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND NEW EXPERIENCES SUCH AS FREE SWIMMING LESSONS, DANCE CLASSES, MUSIC AND ART CLASSES, SPORTS EXPERIENCES, FREE SUMMER CAMP CONNECTIONS, FAMILY ACTIVITIES AND SUPPORT GROUPS. THESE FREE OFFERINGS ALLOW FOSTER YOUTH TO HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN TYPICAL CHILDHOOD ACTIVITIES WITHOUT THE CONCERN OF FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THEIR FOSTER FAMILIES.

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 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 2024.

    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 March 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.