Our IRS & 501(c)(3) Status

Our IRS Approval Timeline

1. September 25, 2026 — Nonprofit Formed

   Help Foster Youth became a California nonprofit corporation. This is a state-level step; it is separate from federal tax exemption.

2. September 29, 2026 — IRS Form 1023 Submitted

   Our Form 1023 application for 501(c)(3) recognition was submitted to the IRS on September 29, 2026. The IRS has now approved our tax-exempt status.

3. October 8, 2026 — IRS Approval

   Our IRS Letter 947 recognizes federal tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3), effective September 25, 2026. It classifies us as a public charity under Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi), not a private foundation, and confirms that qualifying charitable contributions are deductible under applicable tax rules.

What IRS Form 1023 Is

Form 1023 is the application a nonprofit files with the IRS to be recognized as a federally tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. It describes our mission, programs, governance and finances. You can read the IRS’s own description of the form on irs.gov.

Where to Find Our Form 1023 and Verify Our Status

Our approved exemption application and determination letter are available for public inspection, subject to applicable disclosure rules. You can:

• Search for Help Foster Youth in the IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search (apps.irs.gov), which lists recognized organizations, their determination letters and their filings. The IRS explains what this tool covers on Its Search-Help Page.
• Inspect or request a copy of our Form 1023 and determination letter directly from us by emailing info@helpfosteryouth.org.

Search by organization name: Help Foster Youth, or EIN: 42-5352658. IRS online records may take time to reflect a new approval. This page is based on our October 8, 2026 determination letter; we have not independently confirmed that it is already displayed in the online search tool.

What This Means for Gift of Hope Purchases

IRS recognition does not automatically make Gift of Hope purchases or sponsorships tax-deductible. Any deduction depends on the transaction, the value of goods or benefits received, and applicable tax rules. Consult a qualified tax adviser about your circumstances. Gift of Hope ordering remains coming soon. See the Gift of Hope page for details.

Questions

If you have questions about our nonprofit status, or you spot something on this page that is out of date, email info@helpfosteryouth.org and we will respond and correct it. Our approval facts were reviewed October 18, 2026, against our IRS determination letter.