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Top Rated

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

CharityWatch rating issued
July 2025

Top-Rated Charity
A
CharityWatch Rating
Our independent rating based
on a number of factors.
 
83%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$11
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
4900 Tuttle Crossing Blvd
Dublin, OH 43016

Other Names

Wendy's Wonderful Kids

Tax Status

501(c)3

Stated Mission

Dedicated exclusively to finding permanent homes for more than 150,000 children waiting in North America's foster care systems.

View similar charities
Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 06/30/2024

Program Percentage: 83%

The percentage of Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$43,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $11

How many dollars Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$38,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

25% to 49%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Audited Financial Statements 31-1356151
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption IRS Form 990 31-1356151
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Government Grants as submitted to the California Office of the Attorney General 31-1356151
Entity: Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 31-1356151
Entity: Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 31-1356151
Entity: Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
Document Type: Government Grants as submitted to the California Office of the Attorney General
Tax ID: 31-1356151

Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
This charity is Top-Rated
What does it mean to be Top-Rated?
 
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Opt-Out Policy  

  Name Title Compensation
1 Rita L. Soronen President / CEO $500,343
2 Jill Crumbacher SVP, Marketing & Development $247,632
3 Jennifer Justice SVP, Strategic Program Development $244,387
1
Name: Rita L. Soronen
Title: President / CEO
Compensation: $500,343
2
Name: Jill Crumbacher
Title: SVP, Marketing & Development
Compensation: $247,632
3
Name: Jennifer Justice
Title: SVP, Strategic Program Development
Compensation: $244,387

CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

According to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption audited Statement of Activities for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024:

The Foundation received "Donated PSA broadcasting, in-kind" on which it placed a total value of $28,500,865. 

[Note: CharityWatch generally excludes the value of in-kind (non-cash) donations of goods and services from its calculations of Program % and Cost to Raise $100. More information on how grades are calculated and the treatment of in-kind donations can be found on the Our Process page.]

According to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption audit of June 30, 2024 (Note 8, Related Parties):

"...The Foundation is the sole beneficiary of certain fundraising events and in-store campaigns sponsored by Wendy's and its franchisees. The Foundation received approximately $23,001,000 and $19,821,000 from Wendy's from various fundraising activities for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively...

...Wendy's entered into an Assignment of Rights Agreement with Oldemark, LLC, dated as of November 5, 2000 (Assignment). Wendy's has used Mr. Thomas, the Founder, as a focal point for its products and services for many years, and has, through its extensive investment in the advertising and promotional use of Mr. Thomas' name, likeness, image, voice, caricature, endorsement rights and photographs (Thomas Persona), made the Thomas Persona well-known in the United States and throughout North America. Under the terms of the Assignment, the Foundation was granted the use of the Thomas Persona, at no charge, for as long as the Foundation maintains its present purpose and ideals. No revenue or expense has been recorded in the financial statements for the use of the Thomas Persona."

According to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption tax filing for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, the Foundation reports re: Compensation, Supplemental Information (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part III):

Regarding nonfixed payments to officers, directors, trustees, key employees and highest compensated employees (Schedule J, Part I, line 7):

(1) The President & CEO received a bonus of $91,000.
(2) The Senior VP & CFO received a bonus of $15,000.
(3) The Senior VP of Marketing & Development received a bonus of $15,000.
(4) The Senior VP of Business Development received a bonus of $15,000.
(5) The Senior VP and General Counsel received a bonus of $15,000.
(6) The Senior VP and CFO received a bonus of $15,000.
(7) The VP of Marketing and Communications received a bonus of $5,500.
(8) The Senior Director of Partnerships received a bonus of $5,500.
(9) The VP of Programs received a bonus of $5,500.

The reported total compensation in calendar year 2023 for the nine individuals listed above ranges from $155,315 to $500,343 (IRS Form 990, Part VII, Section A).

According to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption tax filing for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, "Wendy Thomas Morse and Pamela Farber have a family relationship." (IRS Form 990, Part VII, Section A, Line 2 & Schedule O). Both Morse and Farber are reported as "trustees" of the Foundation. The Foundation reports having 22 members on the Board of Directors, with 21 being reported as independent (IRS Form 990, Part VII, Section A & Part VI, Section A).