Mimosa International Foundation of America Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MIFoA strives to provide educational opportunities and resources for children and families in underserved and remote communities across the continent of Africa and the African Diaspora to help them achieve self-sufficiency.
- Income
- $7,352
- Spending
- $12,998
- Spent on programs
- 37%
- Reserves
- 17.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
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
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
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: 44 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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 (1)
- $4,800 spent. In December 2017, the co-founders of the MIFoA (Gwen Thornton, PhD LCSW and Jane Parker, MSW, Department of Social Work faculty members) in partnership with the Virginia State University Office of International Education sponsored a faculty led study-abroad trip that offered students a two-week global service-learning opportunity in Jukwa and Winneba, Ghana, West Africa. Students and the faculty worked alongside local community partners to identify and complete needed tasks for a number of community projects. While working with local community partners, they had an impactful, immersive, and life-changing experience. During their time in Ghana, they were approached by Ghanaian children and families asking for their help. These individuals were not merely seeking handouts but opportunities to have a better life than what they were accustomed to in their experiences. While in Ghana during this time, the faculty and students developed relationships with Ghanaian residents and community partners that have remained strong for more than 3 and half years.In 2019, between August and November, Dr. Thornton spent three months on sabbatical in the Central Region of Ghana where she initiated various activities that set the foundation for creating the MIFoA. The primaryobjective of Dr. Thorntons sabbatical was to engage in and collaborate with community leaders regarding community, healthcare and educational needs in the Central Region of Ghana. During this time period, incollaboration with school administrators, faculty, staff, parents and community leaders she provided her expertise, knowledge and skills in community and program development. She assisted in the development of a5-year Educational Strategic Plan for Divine Kids Academy (DKA). As a result of this initiative, she assisted in identifying a network of international donors (colleagues and friends) for the provision of educational resourcesand equipment for academic success of children attending DKA. The engagement, collaboration and partnership with donors resulted in the purchase of desks, textbooks, computers and building of a computer lab for grades one through grade six. These collaborative efforts inspired the formation of the Mimosa International Foundation of America, Inc.Upon Dr. Thorntons return to the United States, in December 2019, the Mimosa International Foundation of America was founded by a group of individuals who shared a common interest in providing healthcare,educational, vocational training, other charitable services and resources to underprivileged women, children and families in underserved remote areas across the continent of Africa and the African Diaspora to help them to achieve self-sufficiency. MIFoA strives to improve the education, healthcare and vocational training opportunities for women, children and families in the Eastern and Western regions of Africa. We also aim to foster a better understanding of the multicultural nature of Africans through interpersonal connections that our volunteers will make in the Eastern and Western regions of Africa.
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 October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2024 for not filing returns for three years. The IRS now lists it as tax-exempt again.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Worth knowing.
The IRS does not require this organization to file annual returns.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.