Deep Heart
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Deep Heart uses the performance and visual arts, alongside outreach services, to prevent suicide and violent incidents, reduce recidivism, educate, rehabilitate, and spark personal transformation among the incarcerated community and at-risk populations. Programs include producing transformative entertainment-such as live inspirational events, films, and a magazine-delivered directly into correctional facilities, shelters, detention centers, and crisis-affected communities. These core programs are supported by meal, aid, and correspondence services that offer physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual support to incarcerated individuals and their families, as well as to the homeless, recently released individuals, families living in poverty, and unhoused veterans.
- Income
- $370,690
- Spending
- $210,061
- Spent on programs
- 96%
- Reserves
- 11.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 8
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 11.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 71% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1596% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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
Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (5)
- $73,980 spent. Deep Heart Events are inspirational, multicultural live experiences that combine music, dance, comedy, magic, motivational speaking, and interactive therapeutic theater. These shows are designed to use entertainment to uplift, motivate, and transform marginalized and vulnerable individuals-including those who are incarcerated, homeless, in recovery, or suffering from trauma. These events are the heart of Deep Heart's mission to prevent suicide, reduce recidivism, support rehabilitation, and offer hope through the power of live performance. They are staged directly inside correctional facilities, detention centers, shelters, and underserved communities, providing a rare and often life-changing experience to those who need it most. Each show is made possible through approximately $120,000 annually in donated professional services, including public relations, production, artistic talent, audio/video and stage setup, transportation, and event planning provided by board members and volunteers. In 2025, Deep Heart put on 82 events in 63 distinct locations in 3 countries and 14 U.S. States, for an approx. 572 show hours. The program reached more than 17,000 audience members directly, while an estimated 150,000 additional individuals-family members, event staff, venue personnel, and surrounding community members-were indirectly impacted by these live events. This ripple effect underscores both the extended reach of our work and the strong return on investment in terms of community benefit relative to program expenses. Prior years' totals include: 2024 - Deep Heart held 106 events in 92 venues across 9 countries and 13 U.S. states, totaling 621 show hours. The program reached more than 25,000 audience members directly; 2023 - 91 events in 62 venues, 569 show hours, approximately 18,800 audience members; 2022 - 76 events, 426 show hours, an estimated 27,500 attendees; 2021 - 40 shows during partial reopening post-COVID, reaching 12,000 to 15,000 people; 2020 - 11 shows in Brazil before the pandemic halted touring; 2019 (inaugural year) - over 70 venues and an estimated 70,000 people reached in the U.S. and abroad. From the countless testimonials received each year, it is evident that Deep Heart is accomplishing its mission: saving lives, restoring hope, and transforming futures in some of the most isolated and underserved communities in the world.
- $65,199 spent. Deep Heart UNBOUND is a full-color, glossy magazine created to provide mental, emotional, and spiritual support to incarcerated individuals, their families, and others facing isolation or traumatic circumstances. Designed to combat mental atrophy, encourage personal development, and support rehabilitation, UNBOUND combines graphic and photographic art with original articles, quotes, letters, and stories intended to educate, inspire, and stimulate creative and critical thinking. The publication is made possible by an estimated $75,000 annually in donated professional services including graphic design, digital interface design, content creation, public relations, and project management. It is also supported by advertisers whose services directly benefit the incarcerated population, and by donated shipping and packing materials from UPS, Walmart and Home Depot. In 2025 Deep Heart released, printed and distributed 40,000 copies of the 3rd Edition of Unbound, 'Finding You', in correctional facilities nationwide. 'Finding You' was also uploaded directly onto inmate tablets in many states, and available digitally on several in-prison platforms, including Cipherworks. Deep Heart also reprinted and distributed 1,500 copies of the 2nd Edition, "Extraordinary Outcast'. Prior Years: 2024: Production began on the 3rd Edition of UNBOUND, scheduled for release in Fall 2025, printed and distributed over 10,000 additional copies of the first two editions. The magazine also expanded its digital reach via Viapath tablets and through a new statewide partnership with Edovo in Indiana. 2023: Deep Heart released the 2nd Edition, distributing 35,000 physical copies to correctional facilities nationwide. Through digital distribution platforms such as Edovo, UNBOUND is available at no cost to over 1.2 million incarcerated individuals through facility-issued tablets in nearly every state. From September 2020 through December 2022, Deep Heart distributed more than 38,000 copies of the 1st Edition to over 260 DOC and BOP facilities, and mailed approximately 2,200 copies directly to individual inmates and their families. UNBOUND is widely regarded by incarcerated readers, their families, spiritual advisors, social workers, therapists, and correctional staff as a highly effective mental health and rehabilitation tool. Feedback has described the magazine as "an instant sensation," "exactly what we needed," "unlike anything we've seen," with facilities often requesting as many copies as possible. UNBOUND remains available in digital format on Deep Heart's website, with hard copies available by request.
- $30,823 spent. Deep Heart's films are virtual adaptations of Deep Heart events and combine filmed acts from the show with cinematic nature videography, stories of Deep Heart's travels as they tour, a variety of impactful music videos, dynamic graphics, didactic motivational speaking, educational presentations of thought-replacement and personal growth counseling, and all-original content specifically created for use in correctional facilities as a rehabilitative tool and round-the-clock educational programming. The films are part of Deep Heart's mission to provide the incarcerated community with entertainment that drives transformation and supply prison administrators with a free, productive, positive resource in corrections. In 2025 Deep Heart released its newest feature-length film, 'Junkyard Boulevard: Where Everything Begins', as well as a featurette, "Wild Horses: A Journey Into the West'. 'Wild Horses' was released late March and subsequently uploaded to Cipherworks and on digital platforms nationally, as well as given to every correctional facility on the 2025 fall tour. 'Junkyard Boulevard' was released in December and sent in DVD or USB chip format to over 110 correctional facilities as a suicide prevention and mental health support tool during the holiday season. It was also uploaded to Cipherworks, adopted by the CA DOC for statewide facility broadcast on institutional channels, and made available on tablets in various other states through direct DOC system upload. Deep Heart is currently submitting both films as well as the 3rd Edition of Unbound to EDOVO and estimates all being available to over 1 million incarcerated persons by mid-2026. Prior years: 2024, Deep Heart's film 'Rise from Rubble' expanded internationally, with showings in prisons across the UK, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Colombia, and Eastern Europe, where Deep Heart provided DVDs and USB chips to correctional facility staff during its international summer tour. Viewership also increased across the United States, particularly with the expansion of Edovo into more states and further use on CCTV. As in previous years, the Deep Heart Christmas Special was distributed to hundreds of facilities over the holiday season. 2023: Deep Heart donated over 2,000 DVDs, along with countless digital files and USB drives, to facilities across the country for special events, activity nights, and broadcast on institutional CCTV. The films have been used extensively across California, Kansas, Arizona, and Texas, as well as in Nebraska, Ohio, Florida, and Missouri. In addition, Rise from Rubble and the Deep Heart Christmas Special are available for digital viewing on JPay and Edovo tablets for incarcerated individuals nationwide. 2022 - Rise from Rubble film translated into Portuguese and adapted to Brazilian culture, where it became a widely adopted resource within Brazilian correctional facilities. In some Brazilian states, inmates receive sentence reductions by participating in a multi-week program that involves watching Rise from Rubble, engaging in discussions, completing questionnaires, and performing acts from the film. The Deep Heart Christmas Special also saw expanded use in 2022-2023, including distribution to all Nevada Department of Corrections facilities. All Deep Heart films are available for download on the Deep Heart website and can be requested in various formats via email.
- $27,460 spent. Deep Heart's films are virtual adaptations of Deep Heart events and combine filmed acts from the show with cinematic nature videography, stories of Deep Heart's travels as they tour, a variety of impactful music videos, dynamic graphics, didactic motivational speaking, educational presentations of thought-replacement and personal growth counseling, and all-original content specifically created for use in correctional facilities as a rehabilitative tool and round-the-clock educational programming. The films are part of Deep Heart's mission to provide the incarcerated community with entertainment that drives transformation and supply prison administrators with a free, productive, positive resource in corrections. In 2025 Deep Heart released its newest feature-length film, 'Junkyard Boulevard: Where Everything Begins', as well as a featurette, "Wild Horses: A Journey Into the West'. 'Wild Horses' was released late March and subsequently uploaded to Cipherworks and on digital platforms nationally, as well as given to every correctional facility on the 2025 fall tour. 'Junkyard Boulevard' was released in December and sent in DVD or USB chip format to over 110 correctional facilities as a suicide prevention and mental health support tool during the holiday season. It was also uploaded to Cipherworks, adopted by the CA DOC for statewide facility broadcast on institutional channels, and made available on tablets in various other states through direct DOC system upload. Deep Heart is currently submitting both films as well as the 3rd Edition of Unbound to EDOVO and estimates all being available to over 1 million incarcerated persons by mid-2026. Prior years: 2024, Deep Heart's film 'Rise from Rubble' expanded internationally, with showings in prisons across the UK, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Colombia, and Eastern Europe, where Deep Heart provided DVDs and USB chips to correctional facility staff during its international summer tour. Viewership also increased across the United States, particularly with the expansion of Edovo into more states and further use on CCTV. As in previous years, the Deep Heart Christmas Special was distributed to hundreds of facilities over the holiday season. 2023: Deep Heart donated over 2,000 DVDs, along with countless digital files and USB drives, to facilities across the country for special events, activity nights, and broadcast on institutional CCTV. The films have been used extensively across California, Kansas, Arizona, and Texas, as well as in Nebraska, Ohio, Florida, and Missouri. In addition, Rise from Rubble and the Deep Heart Christmas Special are available for digital viewing on JPay and Edovo tablets for incarcerated individuals nationwide. 2022: the Rise from Rubble film was translated into Portuguese and adapted to Brazilian culture, where it became a widely adopted resource within Brazilian correctional facilities. In some Brazilian states, inmates receive sentence reductions by participating in a multi-week program that involves watching Rise from Rubble, engaging in discussions, completing questionnaires, and performing acts from the film. The Deep Heart Christmas Special also saw expanded use in 2022-2023, including distribution to all Nevada Department of Corrections facilities. Feedback from inmates has been overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing how the films inspired them and brightened their holidays. Facility staff have expressed immense gratitude for this programming. All Deep Heart films are available for download on the Deep Heart website and can be requested in various formats via email.
- $3,368 spent. In 2025, Deep Heart expanded a facet of its outreach into a new children's book program designed to support children and families impacted by incarceration. Books, Extra Love and How Much Do I Matter?, are created by a Deep Heart volunteer and feature original illustrations and rhyming, read-aloud text written from the perspective of a child with an incarcerated parent and/or in the foster system. The stories are designed to help children process separation, maintain connection, navigate correctional facility visiting processes, see their parents as people in need of love too, discover personal identity and worth, and develop emotional resilience through themes of love, reunification, and family healing. Books are distributed free of charge to correctional facility visiting rooms and provided to nonprofit partners working with affected families. In addition, books are offered at cost to organizations and programs that support literacy and family connection, including initiatives where incarcerated parents record themselves reading the book aloud so that the child can receive both the book and the recording. Program activities expand access to literacy resources, strengthen family bonds, thereby reducing recidivism rates, and provide age-appropriate emotional support to children navigating the challenges of parental incarceration. Approx. 500 copies of both books were distributed in 2025. Copies can be requested through the Deep Heart website.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
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.
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.