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Foster Nation

EIN 85-2404828 · Santa Monica, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 41% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

FOSTER NATION ENGAGES AND EMPOWERS THE COMMUNITY TO PREPARE, SUPPORT AND EMPOWER FOSTER YOUTH AGING OUT OF THE SYSTEM TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT ADULTS BY PROVIDING RESOURCES, SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND MENTORSHIP.

Income
$671,256
Spending
$708,513
Spent on programs
41%
Reserves
15 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
4
Volunteers
390
Highest pay
$103,000, 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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    41% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 86 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (2)
  1. $287,831 spent. SPARKS - 6 MONTH CAREER COACHING PROGRAM: WE ENSURE FOSTER YOUTH HAVE EQUAL FOOTING WHEN THEY ENTER THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD BY MATCHING THEM WITH A DEDICATED ONE-ON-ONE CAREER COACH, AND PROVIDING THEM WITH CAREER READINESS AND LIFE SKILLS TRAINING NECESSARY TO HELP THEM BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT POST FOSTER CARE. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP FOSTER YOUTH DEVELOP FOUNDATIONAL LIFE AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS NECESSARY TO ENTER THE REAL WORLD. WE BELIEVE THAT ONE MEANINGFUL CONNECTION CAN CHANGE A LIFE.CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE OSPARKS OF LOVE - WE PROVIDE CELEBRATORY GIFTS FOR FOSTER YOUTH DURING IMPORTANT MILESTONES/EVENTS IN THEIR LIVES, SUCH AS HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE GRADUATION, BACK TO SCHOOL, OR BIRTHDAYS. OUR GOAL IS TO REMIND YOUTH THAT THERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT THEM AND ARE IN THEIR CORNER. THE MISSION OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO REMIND YOUTH THAT THEY BELONG, THEY MATTER, AND THEY ARE NOT ALONE.THE ESSENTIALS - (PREVIOUSLY SHOPPING DAYS OR BASIC NEEDS) FREE SHOPPING DAYS FOR FOSTER YOUTH: WE HELP BUILD CONFIDENCE IN FOSTER YOUTH BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL RESOURCES VIA FREE POP-UP SHOPPING DAYS FOR YOUTH TO SHOP FOR PROFESSIONAL AND CASUAL CLOTHING, TOILETRIES, BEAUTY PRODUCTS, AND ACCESSORIES. OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE FOSTER YOUTH FEEL CONFIDENT AS THEY PURSUE THEIR PROFESSIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL DREAMS.
  2. MEAL NATION - FREE MEAL DELIVERY/PICK UP SERVICE TO FIGHT FOOD INSECURITY: DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE LAUNCHED THE MEAL NATION PROGRAM TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY FOR FOSTER YOUTH STUDENTS IN 57 COLLEGES. THIS WAS DONE BY PROVIDING YOUTH WITH FREE MEALS FOR 30-60-90 DAYS THAT CAN EITHER BE PICKED UP FROM A LOCAL RESTAURANT, THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH BENTO, OR DELIVERED THROUGH OUR PARTNER FRESHLY. WE DISTRIBUTED 76,000+ MEALS TO OVER 2,000 FOSTER YOUTH.

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 April 2021.

    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.