2026-06-24T21:14:38-07:00 2025-12-31 990 2025-01-01 271370074 HOPE Inc Helping Other People be Empowered HOPE 6786956688 PO Box 3166 Duluth GA 30096 Kenita Smith President & Founder 6786956688 2026-06-24 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Kenita Smith PO Box 3166 Duluth GA 30096 674969 0 X https://hopbe.org/ X 2009 GA HOPE, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization) offers comprehensive services that support low-income single parents pursuing a college degree. HOPE's mission is to serve single parents working to obtain an associate or bachelor's degree by providing housing assistance, childcare support, social services, and financial empowerment. 6 5 3 36 0 0 607157 615799 0 0 1927 2828 15016 50411 624100 669038 3000 1003 0 0 191877 260412 0 0 86178 302838 498970 497715 760385 126385 -91347 409224 314285 133533 129874 275691 184411 HOPE, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization) offers comprehensive services that support low-income single parents pursuing a college degree. HOPE's mission is to serve single parents working to obtain an associate or bachelor's degree by providing housing assistance, childcare support, social services, and financial empowerment. 0 0 606124 1003 0 Year to date, H.O.P.E., Inc. has assisted 163 single parents and over 300 children by the end of 2025, while also achieving a significant milestone of over 100 total college graduates served through our program. | Current Participants - In 2025, we served 47 single parents and 76 children, with an average family size of two children. Approximately 60% of participants were first-generation college students. Of those enrolled, 37% were pursuing associate degrees and 63% were pursuing bachelor's degrees. Participants experienced measurable financial progress during the program year, including: * Average income increase of $1,593 (5%) * Average savings increase of $266 (214%) * Average credit score increase of 29 points (5%) * 21% of participants owned their own homes. | Graduates - Our graduate survey achieved an 84% response rate. Outcomes demonstrate strong long-term success: * 100% of graduates are employed in their chosen career field and earning above a living wage * 53% are first-generation college graduates, breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty * 84% reported a significant increase in annual income, averaging an increase of $44,885 * 17% earn between $40,000-$50,000 annually, while 67% earn above $50,000 Financial stability continues to improve post-graduation: * 92% of graduates now have savings accounts, compared to 36% at program entry * Average savings balances increased to $5,601, representing a 932% increase * Average credit scores improved from 592 to 651, reflecting a 29-point increase. These outcomes demonstrate H.O.P.E., Inc.'s ability to not only support academic achievement but also drive long-term economic mobility, financial stability, and generational impact for single-parent families. 0 0 0 606124 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 18 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 GA X X Kenita Smith 6786956688 PO Box 3166 Duluth GA 30096 Kenita Smith President/CEO 40 0 X X 114699 0 0 Steve Dowdley Board Chair 0 0 X X 0 0 0 Lisa White Board Secretary 0 0 X X 0 0 0 Wassia Kamon Treasurer 0 0 X X 0 0 0 Ann Leal Member at large 0 0 X 0 0 0 Cynthia Hayes Member at large 0 0 X 0 0 0 Asher Jones Member at large (served through Sept. 2025) 0 0 X 0 0 0 114699 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 615799 15648 615799 0 2828 0 0 2828 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 55492 0 5931 49561 0 49561 Credit card rewards 900099 850 0 0 850 0 0 0 0 850 669038 0 0 53239 X 1003 1003 0 114699 49321 45879 19499 120478 94441 2533 23504 2675 2350 15 310 4623 2255 1413 955 17937 9594 3765 4578 11568 8213 1451 1904 15451 15194 180 77 40148 40148 0 0 106741 81262 0 25479 9643 3938 3185 2520 8492 4544 1295 2653 143 90 23 30 1075 731 149 195 4261 2684 682 895 1582 997 253 332 10003 3449 5145 1409 Program assistance 227185 227185 0 0 Counseling 52655 52655 0 0 Professional development 515 250 119 146 Bank and payment processing fees 5656 3713 840 1103 3852 2107 1156 589 760385 606124 68083 86178 190335 226727 10000 49716 197904 10000 3068 10500 9500 3167 7917 6333 0 11009 409224 314285 10917 10688 122616 119186 133533 129874 X 213153 55604 62538 128807 275691 184411 409224 314285 -91347 0 0 0 67 0 X 0 1 X 1 0 X 478403 450078 538307 607157 615799 2689744 478403 450078 538307 607157 615799 2689744 142498 2547246 1927 2828 4755 88 850 938 2695437 215456 0.94502 0.93892 X Schedule A, Part II, Line 10 2024 - credit card rewards $88; 2025 - credit card rewards $850 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9500 0 3167 6333 6333 787198 0 118160 0 0 118160 669038 0 0 0 669038 878545 118160 0 0 0 118160 760385 0 0 0 760385 5k Race 55492 0 55492 0 0 0 0 0 5931 0 0 55492 0 55492 0 0 0 0 0 5931 5931 49561 Form 990, Part I, Line 1 Significant services offered by H.O.P.E. include the following: Rental Assistance - Housing insecurity is one of the greatest threats to a single parent's ability to finish college. H.O.P.E. provides up to $400 per month in rental assistance to stabilize families during their academic journey. This safety net keeps families in their homes, alleviates financial stress, and allows parents to focus on completing their degrees. | Childcare Assistance - We provide up to $400 per month in childcare subsidies so parents can attend classes, study, and work without compromising their children's care. This support ensures children are in safe, nurturing environments while their parents pursue long-term economic mobility. | Budget Coaching - Each parent is paired with a professional budget coach who provides one-on-one financial coaching, including budgeting, debt reduction, credit building, and savings strategies. This equips families with the tools needed to achieve long-term financial stability beyond graduation. | Counseling - Balancing parenting and higher education presents emotional challenges. H.O.P.E. offers access to professional counseling to help parents process trauma, manage stress, and build resilience, strengthening their ability to persist and succeed. | Social Services Navigation - Our team connects parents to critical community resources such as healthcare, food assistance, transportation, and academic support. By addressing these barriers, participants are able to remain focused on their educational goals. | Grocery and Gas Gift Cards - We provide quarterly $250 grocery cards and $100 gas cards to help offset the rising cost of living. These supports reduce financial strain and ensure families can meet their basic needs. | Fresh Produce Groceries - Through our partnership with Concrete Jungle, we provide fresh, farm-grown produce to participants at a reduced cost, promoting healthy living while reducing food insecurity. | Mentoring and Life Skills Coaching - Participants receive mentorship and life skills coaching that builds confidence, leadership, and the ability to successfully balance school, parenting, and work responsibilities. | Lasting Impact - In 2025, H.O.P.E., Inc. served 47 single parents and 76 children through our Mildred Dowdley Gift of HOPE (MDGH) program. During this same year, we proudly surpassed a major organizational milestone, helping over 100 single parents graduate from college since our founding. Our outcomes continue to demonstrate transformative impact: * 85% graduation rate, with fifteen new graduates in 2025 * 100% of participants on track to graduate within six years * 21% of graduates became homeowners * Average graduate income increased by 179% (from under $30,000 to over $60,000) * Average savings balances increased by 932%, reaching $5,601 * Average credit scores improved from 592 to 651 * 53% of graduates are first-generation college students. | When a single parent earns a college degree, it changes the trajectory of an entire family, creating lasting cycles of stability, economic mobility, and generational impact. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The 990 return is presented to the Executive Director for review and presented to the Board for approval. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c The Board developed the Board Policies and Procedures Manual. The manual describes the enforcement and monitoring of the conflict of interest policy. The organization has a written whisleblower policy which is described in the Board Policies and Procedures Manual. The organization has a written document retention and destruction policy which is described in the Board Policies and Procedures Manual. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15 The Board determines salary by reviewing the Nonprofit Compensation report from GuideStar and evaluating performance against revenue, accompanied with credentials and skill. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 18 A written request for a copy of the 990 should be sent to the address on record or via email to INFO@HOPBE.ORG. The request will be provided in a reasonable amount of time. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 No documents were made available to the public. Form 990, Part VIII, Line 1f In addition to the revenue reported on Form 990, Part VIII, HOPE received in-kind support for donated internet-based advertising services. Specifically for 2025, HOPE received up to $10,000 per month in free AdWords Advertising from Google from a Google Grant which HOPE was awarded. HOPE used the grant to advertise AdWord campaigns that directed users (potential applicants and/or potential donors) to HOPE's website. HOPE also advertised its blog and newsletter in these campaigns. For 2025 the value of these donated advertising services was $118,160. This amount is not reflected on Part VIII per the Form 990 instructions. Form 990, Part IX, Line 12 In addition to the expenses reported on Form 990, Part IX, HOPE received in-kind support for donated internet-based advertising services (see note regarding Google AdWords donation - Form 990, Part VIII, Line 1f). The value of these donated advertising services used in 2025 was $118,160. This amount is not reflected on Part IX per the Form 990 instructions. In addition, the exclusion of the contributed services resulted in a lower Program Expense Percentage over total expenses. If the contributed services were included, the Program Percentage would be 82.4%. A request for extension of time to file the return was properly submitted to the IRS.