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Promises2kids Foundation

EIN 95-3655288 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CREATING A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR FOSTER CHILDREN.

Income
$7.2 million
Spending
$10.1 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
12.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
93
Volunteers
1,048
Highest pay
$364,865, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 31 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 June 30, 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. $7.9 million spent. THE FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FOUNDATION'S PROGRAMS:A.B. AND JESSIE POLINSKY CHILDREN'S CENTER - PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDATION RAISED $12 MILLION TO BUILD THE A.B.AND JESSIE POLINSKY CHILDREN'S CENTER (THE POLINSKY CENTER), SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN. IN OCTOBER 1994, THE FOUNDATION DEEDED THE FACILITY TO THE COUNTY. THE POLINSKY CENTER OFFERS A FULL RANGE OF ASSESSMENT AND CARE PROGRAMS TO MORE THAN 1,000 CHILDREN EVERY YEAR. THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE POLINSKY CENTER BY RAISING FUNDS FOR THE URGENT AND LONG-TERM NEEDS OF THE YOUNG RESIDENTS DURING THEIR STAY. THE FOLLOWING ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS AT THE POLINSKY CENTER SUPPORTED BY THE FOUNDATION DURING THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. KIDSTART YOUTH2YOUTH ADVOCATES PROGRAM PET THERAPY PROGRAM HEALTH, RECREATION, AND WELLNESS PROGRAMGUARDIAN SCHOLARS - GUARDIAN SCHOLARS IS A SCHOLARSHIP AND SUPPORT PROGRAM THAT WAS ESTABLISHED TO ASSIST CURRENT AND FORMER FOSTER YOUTH TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION OR PREPARE FOR A CAREER AND BECOME SUCCESSFUL, INDEPENDENT ADULTS. THE PROGRAM IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST FINANCIAL AID - IT IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF EACH INDIVIDUAL RECIPIENT. GUARDIAN SCHOLARS PROVIDES MULTIFACETED SUPPORT THROUGH MENTORING, CAREER AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING, TUTORING, COLLEGE PLANNING, FINANCIAL AID, COLLEGE APPLICATION WORKSHOPS, AND CASE MANAGEMENT.CAMP CONNECT - THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES SIBLINGS IN FOSTER CARE, WHO ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE HOMES, THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECONNECT THROUGH A FOUR-DAY SUMMER CAMP, AS WELL AS RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL DAY CAMP ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. CAMP CONNECT ALLOWS BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO MAINTAIN CRITICAL RELATIONSHIPS AND GAIN SUPPORT FROM EACH OTHER DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. THIS PROGRAM IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.FOSTER FUNDS - THE FOUNDATION UNDERSTANDS THAT FOSTER CHILDREN OFTEN FEEL ALONE AND ISOLATED. THEY MAY GO WITHOUT SIMPLE PLEASURES OF CHILDHOOD SUCH AS BIRTHDAY GIFTS, CAP AND GOWN FOR GRADUATION, A SPORTS UNIFORM OR A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. WE ENSURE FOSTER CHILDREN KNOW THAT THEY TOO ARE HEARD, SPECIAL AND DESERVING. THE FOUNDATION HAS SPECIAL FUNDS SET UP TO SUPPORT THESE NEEDS NOT MET THROUGH TYPICAL FUNDING, WHICH INCLUDE SOMETHING SPECIAL FUND, BIRTHDAY CLUB, AND COMMUNITY DRIVES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 1982.

    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.