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Serving Hands International

EIN 95-3797996 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceGood77 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SERVING HANDS INTERNATIONAL MISSION IS TO AID THE POOREST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD AND STRIVE TO ENCOURAGE IN THEM SELF-SUFFICIENCY, DIGNITY, AND HOPE BY PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, FOOD, CLOTHING, SHELTER, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE, AND SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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.

  • 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, 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 (3)
  1. $221,705 spent. EDUCATION PROGRAM:SHI SUPPORTED THE EDUCATION, INCLUDING AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, OF ABOUT 7,500 CHILDREN BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL AID, CLASSROOM SUPPLIES, BACKPACKS, AND OTHER LEARNING MATERIALS IN IMPOVERISHED AREAS.
  2. $1.2 million spent. FOOD AND DEVELOPMENT AID PROGRAM:HUMANITARIAN AID WAS MADE AVAILABLE TO ABOUT 724,000 PEOPLE IN NEED. THE AID INCLUDED BASIC LIFE NECESSITIES SUCH AS FOOD, WATER, CLOTHING, BLANKETS, EMERGENCY SHELTERS, SANDBAGS, AND OTHER NEEDED RESOURCES.
  3. $40,800 spent. MEDICAL AID PROGRAM:MEDICAL AID WAS PROVIDED TO OVER 19,000 IMPOVERISHED PEOPLE IN MEXICO. THE PROGRAMS INCLUDED FUNDING SERVICES FOR SURGERIES, MEDICATIONS, AND PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE. THE PROGRAMS ADDRESS A WIDE RANGE OF MEDICAL TREATMENTS SUCH AS DENTAL CARE, EYE CARE, INTERNAL MEDICINE, PEDIATRICS, CANCER TREATMENT, RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERIES, AND HOSPICE.

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

  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 2024.

    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 October 1983.

    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.