Lily Pad Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE LILY PAD FOUNDATION RUNS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT RESTAURANT FOCUSED ON EMPLOYING AND TRAINING INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO GIVE THEM THE WORK SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE NECESSARY TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT WITH OTHER BUSINESSES. THE CAFE WORKS WITH LOCAL RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES TO ASSIST EMPLOYEES WITH GAINING EMPLOYMENT WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES.
- Income
- $132,852
- Spending
- $235,395
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 9.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Employees
- 13
- Volunteers
- 75
- Highest pay
- $50,000, executive director
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: 78 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (diseases, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 77% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (diseases, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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, 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 (1)
- $195,549 spent. IN FEBRUARY OF 2024, LILY PAD FOUNDATION BEGAN AN AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NON-PROFIT, HUGS CAFE, INC. IN MCKINNEY, TEXAS. THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP, THE LILY PAD FOUNDATION IS LICENSING ITS TRAINING PROGRAM AND ABLE TO UTILIZE ITS EXPERTISE AND MENTORSHIP TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION IN INCLUSIVE HIRING AND TRAINING. THE ORGANIZATION GREW FROM A STAFF OF 1 TO 2 IN MAY OF 2024 ADDING ON A KITCHEN MANAGER/INSTRUCTOR TO THE TEAM. WITH THIS ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO BEGIN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR STUDENTS INTO THE LILY PAD TRAINING PROGRAM. 11 INDIVIDUALS WERE ACCEPTED INTO THE FIRST COHORT OF STUDENTS TO THE TRAINING PROGRAM IN JUNE OF 2024 AT NO COST TO THEM OR THEIR FAMILIES/CAREGIVERS. THEY WERE NOT CHARGED TUITION TO ENTER THE PROGRAM. ONCE THE EDUCATIONAL COURSEWORK WAS COMPLETED AND THE INDIVIDUALS GRADUATED FROM THE TRAINING PROGRAM, ALL 11 STUDENTS WERE ACCEPTED INTO PAID INTERNSHIP POSITIONS IN DECEMBER OF 2024 IN THE CAFE OPERATED BY THE LILY PAD FOUNDATION. STATS ON STUDENTS/INTERNS: 45.5% HAVE A PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, 36.4% HAVE A PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS OF DOWN SYNDROME, 18.1% HAVE OTHER INTELLECTUAL & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
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
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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2016 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2018.
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 2024.
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 September 2019.
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.