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Echo Ministries

EIN 84-3675316 · Lakeland, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ECHO WAS ESTABLISHED TO HELP PROVIDE FOR SPIRITUAL AND TANGIBLE NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE. CHILDREN ARE REMOVED EVERY DAY FROM THEIR HOMES DUE TO ABUSE AND NEGLECT. ALMOST ALWAYS THEY ARRIVE AT A NEW HOME WITH ONLY CLOTHES ON THEIR BACKS. WE ARE AN ORGANIZATION DESIGNED TO HELP PROVIDE FOR THE TANGIBLE NEEDS OF THESE CHILDREN THROUGH OUR MANY ECHO SHOPS AS WELL AS WORK WITHIN THE COMMUNITY TO STRENGTHEN THE SYSTEM OF SUPPORT.

Income
$55,129
Spending
$51,327
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Highest pay
$575, director

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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. $51,327 spent. WE HAVE FIVE ECHO SHOPS WITH MORE IN PROCESS. WE WORK TO ASSIST CAREGIVERS BY LESSENING THEIR FINANCIAL REPSPONSIBILITY SO THEY CAN FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANT MISSION OF CARING FOR THE CHILDREN. EACH SHOP HAS A TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS READY TO LISTEN, PRAY FOR AND SERVE THESE FAMILIES. FOSTER, ADOPTIVE AND KINSHIP CAREGIVERS ARE OFFERED SEVEN ITEMS PER CHILD IN THEIR LEGAL CUSTODY, PER MONTH, WHEN THEY BRING THEIR CHILD PLACEMENT. NEW PLACEMENTS RECEIVE 14 ITEMS ON THEIR FIRST VISIT. ALL ITEMS ARE FREE OF CHARGE. WE COLLDECT NEW AND GENTLY USED ITEMS INCLUDING CLOTHING, UNDERGARMENTS, SHOES, DIAPERS, FURNITURE, BABY EQUIPMENT, SPORTS EQUIPMENT, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, HYGIENE PRODUCTS AND MUCH MORE WHICH IS SORTED IN OUR WAREHOUSE AND DISTRIBUTED TO THE ECHO SHOPS.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 April 2021.

    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.