FIRST STAR INSTITUTE INC
EIN 81-2774411 · Public Interest Law (I83)
What they do
BETTER PRACTICES ARE SORELY NEEDED. ABUSED and NEGLECTED CHILDREN ARE MORE LIKELY to GROW UP to BE UNEMPLOYED, HOMELESS and INCARECERATED. OUR PROGRAMS TARGET CONSTRUCTIVE CHANGE:- PROMOTES BEST PRACTICES for FOSTER YOUTH IN COLLEGE- SUPPORTS ACCESS to INFORMATION WHEN AN ABUSED CHILD DIES IN ORDER to AID PREVENTION EFFORTS- SUPPORTS AN ABUSED CHILDS RIGHT to BE HEARD THROUGH AN ADVOCATE- EDUCATES COURTS and LEGISLATORS ON HOW SPECIFIC DECISIONS and LAWS CAN IMPACT CHILDREN- LEVERAGES CHANGE BY WORKING WITH OTHERS
Should I give to this charity?
Of every $100 spent, about $79.30 was reported for mission work. Use the spending picture below and ask what results that work produced.
Plain answer: A tax form cannot prove that a charity is doing good. It can show how the charity says it spent its money—and point out questions you should ask.
Basic facts we verified
IRS warning checkNo IRS revocation warning appears in this data.
Money report from 2025The charity has a recent tax report to read.
They explain their jobThe charity tells us what it is trying to do.
They name their leaders5 people are listed in the latest report.
You can reach themThey list contact information, so you can ask questions.
Money made simple
Ask these three easy questions
- Who did you help? Ask for a recent story or report that shows real results.
- What will my money do? Ask exactly what your gift will pay for.
- Is this really the charity? Give only through its official website or confirmed phone number.
Worth asking: Expenses exceeded revenue by $8,558 this year. Ask whether that was planned or caused by a one-time event.
Bottom line: Do not decide from a name, mission statement, or tax status alone. Look at where the money went, then ask what changed, who was helped, and what your gift will do. YouCanGiveBack does not endorse or grade organizations.
Financial picture
A plain-language look at the latest Form 990 figures available. These numbers help you ask better questions; they do not, by themselves, rate whether a charity is good or bad.
How each $100 of revenue was used
The large number compares each expense with revenue. The smaller number shows its share of total expenses.
Expenses were greater than revenue, so the colored ring fills the available $100 and the total above 100% is shown below.
Has the pattern changed?
The current filing is first. Each bar compares annual spending reported for mission work, management, and fundraising.
Money in and money out
Reported spending amounts
Mission work means the Form 990 category called program services. These are reported accounting categories—not an independent measurement of results.
See all reported dollar amounts
Leadership and board
Names, titles, time, and compensation below are reported by the organization on its Form 990.
See everyone listed on the board or leadership roster (5)
DAMIAN MILLERDIRECTOR
ELISSA GARRPRESIDENT
I RICHARD GARRDIRECTOR
SHERRY QUIRKDIRECTOR
SUSAN BARKER YORKCHAIRPERSON/TREASURER
About this charity
- Recognized since
- January 2016
- Location
- 8803 MAXWELL DRIVE, POTOMAC, MD 20854
- County
- Montgomery
- In care of
- ELISSA GARR
- Primary officer
- ELISSA GARR, PRESIDENT
How to reach them
Filing and classification
- Latest tax year
- 2025
- Tax period began
- January 1, 2025
- Return type
- 990EZ
- Tax preparer
- JONES & MCINTYRE PLLC
- NTEE classification
- Public Interest Law (I83)
- IRS tax category
- Public Interest Law