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Fortified Strength Inc

EIN 85-3576252 · San Ramon, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceWeak43 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We use strength sports to build well rounded, physically and mentally strong Youth Athletes ready to lead exceptional and successful lives in an effort to combat youth delinquency. We believe this will result in a culture where athletes feel physically and emotionally supported and produce a better society. By cultivating technical excellence in strength sports, we provide frameworks for underserved youths with an athletic foundation that they will carry with them throughout their lives--as competitive athletes and beyond. We nurture and thrive in a diverse facility providing all with equal opportunities which encourage coaches and athletes to achieve individual outcomes. In particular, we leverage the techniques and training methodology of Olympic Weight lifting to achieve these goals. There are currently 81 youths in the program.

Income
$268,682
Spending
$269,930
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 56%
Employees
6
Volunteers
9

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

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $241,333 spent. Key Accomplishments:Fortified Strength concludes another remarkable year of service to the community, we're proud to share the exceptional impact our 501(c)(3)has made in developing strong, confident youth athletes through Olympic Weightlifting. Our key accomplishments in 2024:1. Acheived 2nd place overall for the youth division at the US National Championships, cementing our reputation for excellence. 2. Five athletes earned podium positions at Youth National Championships, including two National Champions winning Gold medals.3.16 youth to USA Youth National Championships in Pittsburgh, PA; 10 Youth to North American Open Finals in Atlanta, GA; 7 Youth to American Open series 1 in Columbus, OH.4. 12 first-time national competitors, representing our commitment to creating new opportunities for youth. Logged over 110 competition results with over 40 active USA Weightlifitng members participating in sanctioned events.5. Continued with a 5 member, independent, non-compensated board for organizational oversight.6. Successfully fundraised sufficient budget to operate in 2024 as per the budget.7. Reviewed nonprofit annual plan with 2 independent, successful charity executives as well as accountants to get experienced feedback.Other Accomplishments throughout out tenure:8. Successfully prepared annual budget, filed IRS form 1023 which resulting in achieved 501(c)(3) status as determined by the IRS as described by section 509(a)(2)9. Successfully negotiated below market lease agreement with Gym to operate classes, including shared use of Olympic Weightlifting equipment to be used by the youth10. Established and acquired appropriate insurance policies for organizational success11. Raised funding to successfully pursue mission.

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

  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 2025.

    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 November 2020.

    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.