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Passes our checks

Fortaleza Familiar

EIN 99-1334190 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair54 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FORTALEZA FAMILIAR IS DEDICATED TO THE WELLNESS OF INDIGENOUS CHICANX LATINX LESBIAN GAY BI QUEER TRANS TWO-SPIRIT YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES IN COLORADO.

Income
$809,014
Spending
$463,796
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
9.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
6
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$80,887, executive di

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2044% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 54 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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, 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 (3)
  1. $416,324 spent. AT FORTALEZA FAMILIAR OUR PROGRAMS ARE OFFERINGS ROOTED IN LOVE, RESILIENCE AND INTERGENERATIONAL HEALING SPACES. THEY REFLECT OUR COMMITMENT TO CREATING SPACES WITH LGBTQ2S+ YOUTH AND FAMILIES CAN CONNECT TO LAND, CULTURE AND EACH OTHER IN WAYS THAT AFFIRM OUR EXISTENCE AND BEING.
  2. LIBERATE OURSELVES IS A TRANSFORMATIVE YOUTH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ROOTED IN CULTURAL HEALING, POLITICAL EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY CARE. CREATED FOR INDIGENOUS, CHICANE, AND LATINE LGBTQ2S+ YOUTH, THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS YOUNG LEADERS IN RECLAIMING THEIR POWER, DEEPENING THEIR IDENTITIES, AND BUILDING SKILLS TO ENVISION AND LEAD LIBERATORY FUTURES. WE'RE THE ONES WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR.
  3. FORTALEZA EN NATURALEZA FEN IS OUR OUTDOOR EQUITY INITIATIVE THAT CONNECTS LGBTQ2S+ YOUTH WITH THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE. THROUGH SEASONAL CAMPING TRIPS, SKILL-BUILDING WORKSHOPS, AND LAND-BASED CULTURAL PRACTICES, THIS PROGRAM FOSTERS BELONGING, CONFIDENCE, AND RESILIENCE IN THE OUTDOORS. WE CENTER THOSE WHO HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THESE SPACES. WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR YOUTH, FAMILIES AND VOLUNTEERS TO HELP SUPPORT.

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 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 November 6, 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 December 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 2024.

    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 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.