Dream Makers Project Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Dream Makers Project is on a mission to change the lives of you who have aged out of foster care by connecting the community to their needs.
- Income
- $577,602
- Spending
- $564,799
- Spent on programs
- 91%
- Reserves
- 7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 417
- Highest pay
- $94,327, ex. director
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
Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1591% 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
Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
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)
- $511,628 spent. Dream Makers is on a mission to change the lives of youth who age out of foster care by connecting the community to the needs of former foster youth. Fulfilling Dreams is our main program to support youth who are alone and aging out of foster care. Every year, more than 23,000 teenagers age out of the foster care system at 18 years old without a family to help them transition into adulthood. Not only did these youth enter foster care due to experiencing neglect, abuse, or abandonmentbut are now left to fend for themselves during a pivotal point of life. Most of them have virtually no support system to lean on during this crisis and struggle daily to survive. We give professional guidance as we work directly with the youth to find out their dream or barrier that is getting in the way of achieving independence. We ensure that each youth has aged out and use the actual photo of each youth on our website. When a donor fulfills a dream they also write a note of encouragement and hope that is sent directly to that youth. We have heard from the youth that they truly need and appreciate the dream, but the notes of encouragement help them know people care and are cheering them on in this lonely world. Every dream listed on our site represents a life that is worthy of supporting. Our secondary program, Crisis Needs, meets immediate and emergency needs as they are presented to us and as we are able. We started this because most of the youth we serve express having food insecurities and are hungry. Because having your basic needs met should not have to be a dream. Accomplishments for 2025 158 Website Dreams 309 Dreams fulfilled306 Volunteers417 Volunteer hours725 Youth Served$22,678 In kind donations
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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
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 July 2022.
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 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.