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Shield Foundation Inc

EIN 88-3602717 · South Bend, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ASSIST FORMER COLLEGIATE STUDENT ATHLETES WITH THEIR TRANSITION TO A CAREER OUTSIDE OF ATHLETICS AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH RESOURCES TO ENHANCE THEIR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, ASSIST AND SUPPORT THEIR PHYSICAL, BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH THEIR CONTINUING EDUCATION.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$879,885
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
9.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
4
Volunteers
4
Highest pay
$344,502, ceo/treasurer

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 42% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 87% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% 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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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. $820,915 spent. LIFE AFTER NOTRE DAME ("LAND"), PROVIDES NO-COST TRANSITION SUPPORT TO FORMER UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME STUDENT-ATHLETES, MANAGERS, AND ATHLETIC TRAINERS AS THEY MOVE OUT OF COMPETITIVE ATHLETICS. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON CAREER, MENTAL HEALTH, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH NEEDS THROUGH INDIVIDUALIZED ASSESSMENTS, CUSTOMIZED TRANSITION PLANS, ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT, JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE, MOCK INTERVIEWS, MENTORING, ALUMNI NETWORKING, AND REFERRALS TO SPECIALIZED SERVICE PROVIDERS. IN 2025, LAND SUPPORTED 225 INDIVIDUALS, A 114% INCREASE FROM 2024, AND HELPED 56 PARTICIPANTS SECURE NEW FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT, A 155% INCREASE FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. LAND ALSO EXPANDED ITS CAREER, MENTAL HEALTH, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH REFERRAL PARTNERSHIPS AND INCREASED OUTREACH THROUGH NOTRE DAME LEGACY WEEKEND AND COMMUNICATIONS TO APPROXIMATELY 15,000 FORMER NOTRE DAME ATHLETE ALUMNI.

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 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 2025.

    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 February 2023.

    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.