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Leo Santa

EIN 87-3247871 · Greenville, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO MOBILIZE THE POWER OF FIRST RESPONDERS, VOLUNTEERS, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, AND DONORS TO CONNECT OUR COMMUNITY IN PROVIDING COMPASSION, JOY AND LOVE TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE UPSTATE BY PROVIDING TOYS.

Income
$360,687
Spending
$353,140
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
200

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

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    5 of 5

    Keeps 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, 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. $314,790 spent. DURING 2024, LEO SANTA DISTRIBUTED TOYS TO APPROXIMATELY 6,500 CHILDREN IN NEED IN THE COMMUNITY. THE ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO ENSURE EACH CHILD FEELS SPECIAL AND RECEIVES 3-5 TOYS EACH.
  2. $18,446 spent. REIGNITE HOPE PROGRAM - THIS PROGRAM'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SPARKS OF HOPE TO CHILDREN WHOSE HOME WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. AFTER A TRAUMATIC EVENT SUCH AS LOSING YOUR HOME TO FIRE, CHILDREN EXPERIENCE AND FEEL A SENSE OF WORRY, FEAR, AND DISTRESS. OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE FIRST RESPONDERS MEET WITH THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND TAKE A TRIP TO A STORE TO SHOP FOR REPLACEMENT TOYS AND NEEDS. DURING THIS TIME, FIRST RESPONDERS HAVE OPEN COMMUNICATION WITH THE CHILDREN AND FAMILY MEMBERS LETTING THEM KNOW THERE IS A PATH FORWARD AND NOT ALL IS LOST.

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 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 November 6, 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 January 2022.

    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 November 4, 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.