The Lebron James Family Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
WHAT BEGAN AS A MISSION TO RAISE GRADUATION RATES IN LEBRON'S HOMETOWN OF AKRON, OHIO, THE LEBRON JAMES FAMILY FOUNDATION'S WORK HAS EVOLVED INTO A MOVEMENT THAT IS REDEFINING WHAT FAMILY AND COMMUNITY LOOKS LIKE. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
- Income
- $7.5 million
- Spending
- $11.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- -3.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 69%
- Employees
- 91
- Volunteers
- 500
- Highest pay
- $217,947, director of family resourc
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 31 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 18% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 47% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 39% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (4)
- $3.1 million spent. THE I PROMISE SCHOOL: LEBRON'S MISSION TO RAISE GRADUATION RATES IN HIS HOMETOWN OF AKRON, OHIO, HAS EVOLVED INTO A MOVEMENT THAT IS REDEFINING WHAT FAMILY AND COMMUNITY LOOKS LIKE. AFTER A DECADE OF LEARNING AND LISTENING TO THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IT SERVES, THE FOUNDATION'S "WE ARE FAMILY" PHILOSOPHY MANIFESTED IN THE OPENING OF THE I PROMISE SCHOOL IN 2018 THAT PRIORITIZES SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND LEADING WITH LOVE ALONGSIDE A STEM-BASED CURRICULUM. AS PART OF ITS GROUNDBREAKING MODEL FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IPS MAINTAINS A FULL-TIME, ON-SITE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER THAT PROVIDES WIDE-RANGING SERVICES FOR ALL STUDENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS INCLUDING LEGAL AID, MEDICAL CARE, GED CLASSES, FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMMING, JOB & FAMILY SERVICES, AND A FULL-TIME FOOD AND ESSENTIALS PANTRY. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION OFFSETS THE COST OF ADDITIONAL EDUCATORS TO KEEP CLASS SIZE AND STUDENT TO TEACHER RATIOS LOW FOR A MORE EFFICIENT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. IN AN EFFORT TO SUPPORT THE IPS EDUCATORS DURING THIS HARD WORK, THE FOUNDATION REGULARLY COVERS THE COST OF CLASSROOM AND PROJECT SUPPLIES AND PROVIDES ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS TO PRIORITIZE THEIR WELL-BEING AS THEY POUR SO MUCH INTO THEIR STUDENTS. MOST RECENTLY, IPS INTRODUCED SPORTS AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM. THE FOUNDATION FULLY FUNDS THE ENTIRE SPORTS PROGRAM AT IPS WHICH INCLUDES COACHES, UNIFORMS, FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, MEALS, INSURANCE, BANQUESTS, AND TEAM BUILDING. THE FOUNDATION IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO SUPPORT THE IMPORTANT WORK BEING DONE AT IPS.
- $2.5 million spent. HOUSE THREE THIRTY: ON MARCH 30, 2023 ("330 DAY), LJFF OFFICIALLY OPENED THE DOORS TO HOUSE THREE THIRTY, AN INNOVATIVE, MULTI-USE SPACE FOR I PROMISE FAMILIES AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO GATHER AND ENGAGE IN IMMEDIATELY IMPACTFUL PROGRAMMING. HOUSE THREE THIRTY CONVENES CRITICAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES UNDER ONE ROOF INCLUDING FAMILY FINANCIAL HEALTH PROGRAMMING THAT IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND TAILORED TO HELP FAMILIES TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR FINANCIAL FUTURES. JOB TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE VENUE'S VARIED RETAIL, DINING AND EVENT SPACES, DESIGNED TO HELP I PROMISE PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS DEVELOP GREATER BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND PREPARE THEM FOR FUTURE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. HOUSE THREE THIRTY ALSO SERVES AS A COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE FOR LARGE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR EVENTS, MONTHLY MEALS, FAMILY PROGRAMMING AND IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS NEEDED TO MOVE THE COMMUNITY AND COUNTRY FORWARD.
- $3.4 million spent. LJFF HOSPITALITY: WITHIN THE WALLS OF HOUSE THREE THIRTY, CHANGE IS BEING MADE THROUGH THE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES I PROMISE FAMILY MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CULTIVATE NEW SKILLS AND ENGAGE IN JOB TRAINING TO GAIN MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT AND WORK EXPERIENCE. WITH SPECIALLY DEVISED INDUSTRY CURRICULUM DELIVERED BY COACHES AND OTHER INDUSTRY EXPERTS, THE FIRST COHORT OF STUDENTS ARE LEARNING IN A WE ARE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT THAT MEETS THEM WHERE THEY ARE, MAKING THEIR LONG-HELD ACADEMIC AND CAREER GOALS ACCESSIBLE. IT IS AN EDUCATIONAL MOVEMENT THAT BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS AND RECOGNIZES THAT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL APPROACH MAY NOT WORK FOR ALL FAMILIES. THE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM BEGAN WITH EIGHT WEEKS OF TRAINING FOR TEAM MEMBERS COMMITTED TO WE ARE FAMILY TRAINING CAMP WITH SPECIALTY CURRICULUM DELIVERED ALONGSIDE INDUSTRY EXPERTS. A PARTICULAR FOCUS IS ALSO PLACED ON LIFE SKILLS INCLUDING LEADERSHIP, COMMUNICATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY, SKILLS THAT ARE TRANSFERRABLE TO ALL FACETS OF LIFE. UPON COMPLETING ALL SECTORS OF TRAINING CAMP, OUR FIRST OFFICIAL COHORT OF TEAM MEMBERS CONTINUE LEARNING IN REAL-WORLD SETTINGS, PROVIDING VARIOUS SERVICES AVAILABLE WITHIN HOUSE THREE THIRTY. AS THEY PRACTICE AND MASTER SKILLS ACROSS DIFFERENT SECTORS, THEY ARE BEGINNING TO DEVELOP THEIR PASSION AND BUILD CONFIDENCE. THIS INNOVATIVE JOB TRAINING EXPERIENCE ALLOWS THEM TO CONTINUE PROVIDING FOR THEIR FAMILIES WHILE THEY PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION AND CULTIVATE VALUABLE JOB EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING. DAY-TO-DAY, THE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM IS ADMINISTERED BY FIVE COACHES THAT OVERSEE TEAM MEMBERS SCHEDULES, ADMINISTER WRAPAROUND SUPPORTS, AND CONTINUE TO DEVELOP APPROPRIATE CURRICULUM.
- OTHER I PROMISE INITIATIVES: THE CORE I PROMISE PROGRAMMING OFFERED TO ALL I PROMISE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES EXTENDS INTO HIGH SCHOOL AND THROUGH COLLEGE WITH THE I PROMISE NETWORK AND BEYOND. SUPPORTS FOR OUR OLDEST STUDENTS INCLUDE THE I PROMISE INSTITUTE SPACE LJFF FUNDS ANDMAINTAINS WITH ALL THE RESOURCES AND SPECIFIC PROGRAMMING THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL ON CAMPUS AS WELL AS OTHER COSTS OF GOING TO COLLEGE AND EXPERIENCES PROVIDED TO HELP PREPARE THEM ALONG THE WAY. LJFF SUPPORT FURTHER EXTENDS TO I PROMISE PARENTS THROUGH THE I PROMISE TOO PROGRAM THAT HELPS THEM EARN THEIR GED AND PREPARE FOR THEIR NEXT LIFE CHAPTER. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES THE I PROMISE VILLAGE WHICH SERVES AS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING TO FAMILIES WITHIN THE I PROMISE PROGRAM WHO ARE IN NEED OF SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING. FAMILIES STAY AT THE VILLAGE FOR FREE WITH A COMMITMENT TO WORK TOWARD THEIR GOALS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO CONTINUES TO SUPPORT OTHER EFFORTS IMPORTANT TO OURWORK TO UPLIFT LEBRON'S HOMETOWN. THIS INCLUDES THE FOUNDATION'S ANNUAL WE ARE FAMILY REUNION AT CEDAR POINT THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A DAY OF FUN FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AHEAD OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR. THISALSO INCLUDES THE JAMES FAMILY'S REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR COMMUNITY THROUGH SAVANNAH JAMES' I PROMISE MAKEOVER INITIATIVE THAT AIMS TO EMPOWER UNDERPRIVILEGED GIRLS FROM AKRON AREA HIGH SCHOOLS BY HELPING THEM PREPARE FOR PROM WITH DRESSES, ACCESSORIES, AND WORDS OFENCOURAGEMENT AND SELF-CONFIDENCE. THE FOUNDATION PLANS TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THESE AND OTHER PARALLEL PROGRAMS THAT UPLIFT AND POSITIVELY IMPACT ITS COMMUNITY YEAR-ROUND.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2006.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 October 21, 2026.
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