Lawrence Community Works Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
LAWRENCE COMMUNITYWORKS (LCW) IS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION THAT WEAVES TOGETHER COMMUNITY PLANNING, ORGANIZING, AND ASSET-BUILDING EFFORTS WITH HIGH-QUALITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT TO CREATE VIBRANT NEIGHBORHOODS AND EMPOWERED RESIDENTS. BY FACILITATING CONVERSATIONS AND ACTION ON COMMUNITY PRIORITIES, LCW ENGAGES PARTNERS AND A NETWORK OF YOUTH AND ADULT RESIDENTS IN OPPORTUNITIES TO MOVE THEMSELVES AND THIS CITY FORWARD.
- Income
- $8.5 million
- Spending
- $6.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 14 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 54%
- Employees
- 69
- Volunteers
- 15
- Highest pay
- $138,657, executive director
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
Good: 85 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 14.0 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 61% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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)
- $3.3 million spent. THE PROPERTY RENTAL PROGRAM CONSISTS OF RENTAL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO 8 RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES IN THE LAWRENCE AREA, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO LONG-TERM AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESTRICTIONS. THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES CONTAIN 230 UNITS IN TOTAL, ARE SUBJECTED TO AFFORDABILITY RESTRICTIONS, SOME OF WHICH ARE ATTACHED TO THE RELATED LAND, AND ARE RENTED TO FAMILIES OF LOW TO MODERATE INCOMES. THE PROPERTY RENTAL PROGRAM ALSO CONSISTS OF ONE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IN LAWRENCE. ALL LEASES BETWEEN THE AGENCY AND ITS TENANTS ARE OPERATING LEASES.
- $462,379 spent. ASSET BUILDING IS A UNIQUE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY TO PROMOTE THE EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT AND BUILD THE SOCIAL CAPITAL OF LAWRENCE RESIDENTS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES HOME-OWNERSHIP AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDING PRE- AND POST-PURCHASE HOMEBUYER EDUCATION, FORECLOSURE INTERVENTION, MATCHED SAVINGS FOR ASSET OWNERSHIP, FINANCIAL EDUCATION AND COACHING, ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSES AND VARIOUS HARD AND SOFT SKILL WORKFORCE PREPARATION CLASSES AND ACTIVITIES. THE FINANCIAL STABILITY CENTER PROVIDES A BUNDLING OF FINANCIAL EDUCATION, ASSET-BUILDING, INCOME SUPPORT AND JOB READINESS PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES AS THEY STRIVE FOR ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND SECURITY.
- $338,996 spent. THE WORK FORCE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF JOB READINESS AND JOB SPECIFIC TRAINING, COACHING, ESOL CLASSES, EMPLOYER RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT, INTERNSHIPS, AND JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES, TO HELP RESIDENTS GAIN THE SKILLS FOR NEW OR BETTER EMPLOYMENT.
- $818,526 spent. OTHER PROGRAM
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 December 1993.
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.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.