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Ticket to Dream Foundation

EIN 90-0355853 · Roseville, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$11.1 million
Spending
$12.0 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
11
Volunteers
364
Highest pay
$160,029, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    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 March 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 (5)
  1. $10.3 million spent. ESSENTIALS - THE ESSENTIALS FOR KIDS PROGRAM COLLECTS, PURCHASES, AND DISTRIBUTES ESSENTIAL ITEMS LIKE CLOTHING, HYGIENE ITEMS, SHOES, SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND MORE TO MEET THE EVERYDAY NEEDS OF FOSTER YOUTH. CASH SUPPORT ALSO FUNDS THE LOCAL PURCHASE OF SPECIFIC ESSENTIAL NEEDS AND/OR PROVIDES SHOPPING EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN TO SHOP FOR THEMSELVES.
  2. $242,152 spent. TAKE FLIGHT - THE TAKE FLIGHT PROGRAM PROVIDES CASH SUPPORT TO BOOST THE REACH OF PROGRAMMING FOCUSED ON IMPROVING GRADUATION RATES, AND FOR YOUTH AGING OUT OF CARE REDUCING HOMELESSNESS, AND/OR INCREASING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. LAPTOPS ARE ALSO PROVIDED TO SCHOOL-AGED FOSTER CHILDREN TO MEET THESE SAME GOALS.
  3. $236,140 spent. ALLY PROGRAM - THE ALLY PROGRAM PROVIDES TARGETED CASH SUPPORT AND ESSENTIALS TO FILL THE UNMET NEEDS FACING BLACK, HISPANIC AND LGBTQ+ YOUTH, WHILE ALSO HELPING RECRUIT MORE FOSTER/KINSHIP PARENTS, MENTORS AND ADOPTIVE PARENTS FROM THESE POPULATIONS.
  4. $225,557 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS-THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES EACH OF THEIR BOARD MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DESIGNATE A SCHOLARSHIP/GRANT TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF FOSTER YOUTH.
  5. $333,850 spent. GO PLAY! - THE GOPLAY! PROGRAM PROVIDES CASH SUPPORT TO FUND EXTRACURRICULAR SPORTS, CLUBS AND CAMPS AND THE EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO PARTICIPATE. ADMISSION TICKETS TO FUN EVENTS LIKE THE FAIR, CONCERTS, SPORTING EVENTS, SHOWS AND MORE ARE ALSO PROVIDED TO FOSTER YOUTH TO CREATE CHILDHOOD FUN.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 October 13, 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 March 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 August 2008.

    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 October 21, 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.