Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Character Through Sports Inc

EIN 88-3673579 · Pasadena, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair58 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS TO PROMOTE AND CULTIVATE THE VALUES OF HARD WORK, TEAMWORK, SACRIFICE, AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS.

Income
$6.6 million
Spending
$966,926
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
7
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$256,364, ceo/vice president

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 85% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2019% 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, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    2 of 3 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

    10 of 10

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

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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. $910,493 spent. CHARACTER THROUGH SPORTS INC ENCOURAGES PARTICIPATION IN HIGH SCHOOL RUNNING SPORTS (CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK & FIELD) BY PRODUCING VIDEO CONTENT OF ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS AS WELL AS BEHIND THE SCENES MINI-DOCUMENTARY STYLE COVERAGE OF ATHLETES AND TEAMS. THE COVERAGE IS PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BUT INCLUDES CHAMPIONSHIP-LEVEL STATE AND NATIONAL COMPETITIONS AS WELL. ALL OF THE CONTENT CREATED IS POSTED TO THE ORGANIZATION'S HDRUNNERS YOUTUBE AND SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS, SO IT IS AVAILABLE FREE FOR ATHLETES, FAMILIES, AND FANS OF THE SPORTS. ATHLETES ARE EXCITED TO SEE THEMSELVES AND THEIR FRIENDS COMPETE, AND THE COVERAGE PROVIDES AN AVENUE FOR TOP COMPETITORS TO BUILD AWARENESS WITH COLLEGE COACHES SHOULD THEY WISH TO PURSUE PARTICIPATION BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL. THE ORGANIZATION REMAINS DEDICATED TO COVERING ATHLETES OF ALL ABILITY LEVELS WHILE ALSO SHOWCASING TOP ATHLETES, TEAMS AND COACHES WHO INSPIRE THROUGH PERFORMANCE, DEDICATION AND TEAMWORK.DURING 2025, THE ORGANIZATION PRODUCED 37 LIVE BROADCASTS OF CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK MEETS, POSTED OVER 600 VIDEOS, AS WELL AS OVER 600 SHORT-FORM VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE. YOUTUBE CHANNEL SUBSCRIBERS INCREASED BY 8,000 TO ALMOST 108,000. THE CONTENT GARNERED ALMOST 26 MILLION VIEWS DURING 2025. IN ADITION TO YOUTUBE, THE HDRUNNERS INSTAGRAM PAGE HAS ALMOST 40,000 FOLLOWERS AND HAS PROVEN A KEY WAY TO BUILD COMMUNITY AND ENGAGEMENT WITH THE YOUTH DEMOGRAPHIC.

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 February 2023.

    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.