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Champion the Challenges

EIN 85-2974991 · Los Gatos, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PURPOSE OF THE CHARITY IS TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS FOR POST-STROKE PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES, INSPIRING IDEAS, EXERCISES AND HEALTH-RELATED NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH WRITTEN MATERIALS, SEMINARS, WEBINARS, COACHING AND OTHER MEANS, IN ORDER TO PROMOTE THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AIDING THEM ON THEIR PATH TO LEADING FULL AND MEANINGFUL LIVES.

Income
$42,805
Spending
$61,580
Reserves
14 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%

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

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 44% 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. $52,986 spent. -EDUCATED, INFORMED, AND INSPIRED 3,200+ STROKE SURVIVORS, FAMILIES OR SUPPORTERS THROUGH ON-LINE STROKE GROUPS SUPPORT SESSIONS.-PROVIDED OVER 2,100+ QUICK READ BOOKLETS (PRINTED AND EBOOKS) FOR FREE TO HOSPITAL FOR DISTRIBUTION AT STROKE UNITS, OR MAILED THEM TO STROKE SURVIVORS THAT REQUESTED THEM.-RECEIVED OVER 4500 PLUS VISITS TO THE WEBSITE TO READ OUR ONLINE VERSIONS OF OUR QUICK READ FLIP BOOKS.-REVIEWED CUTTING EDGE STROKE TECHNOLOGY, AND SHARED OUR LEARNINGS FOR STROKE SURVIVORS AND THERAPISTS (E.G. HEALTHCARE VR, ACUPUNCTURE, HBOT, APHASIA AND SPEECH TECHNOLOGY, REDLIGHT HEALING THERAPY, MUSIC THERAPY).-PARTICIPATED WITH R&D TEAM AT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTHCARE AND TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES ALONG WITH LEADING UNIVERSITIES, REVIEWED AND EVALUATE PRODUCTS AND SOLUTIONS TARGETED AT HELPING STROKE SURVIVORS.-HELPED 8+ STROKE SURVIVORS WRITE AND TELL THEIR STROKE STORY, WHICH WE FEATURED ON OUR WEBSITE.-SPOKE ON OVER 112+ ON-LINE STROKE SUPPORT GROUPS MONTHLY CALLS-HELD IN PERSON EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS FOR STROKE SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS (E.G. GOLF 4 LIFE) (300+), HOSPITAL STAFF EDUCATION MISSION OAKS (45+) , FOUR J. MCLAUGHLIN RETAILS STORE EVENT FOR STROKE AWARENESS (250+). HELD A MARCH, JUNE, OCT AND DEC IN-PERSON EVENT IN THE BAY AREA FOR STROKE SURVIVORS.-RECEIVED NEWS AND MEDIA COVERAGE JEFFERSON AWARD: HTTPS://WWW.CHAMPIONTHECHALLENGES.ORG/DEB-SHAW-WINSTHE-JEFFERSON-AWARD/-SPOKE AT THE FOLLOWING HOSPITALS TO THE STROKE UNITS WITH 75+ ATTENDEES AND PROVIDE 700+ BOOKLETS (GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL, EL CAMINO HEALTH, STANFORD HEALTH CARE, REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER).

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 October 13, 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 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.