Open Doors Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OPEN DOORS ACADEMY (ODA) PROVIDES YEAR-ROUND OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME ACADEMIC AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS TO YOUTH LIVING IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. ODA IS BASED IN CLEVELAND, OHIO AND OPERATES PROGRAMS IN NORTHEAST AND NORTHWEST OHIO. ODA PROTECTS, INSPIRES, NURTURES AND CHALLENGES YOUTH TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS MISSION, THE ODA TEAM ENGAGES YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES, BUILDS PARTNERSHIPS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, PROVIDES A CONTINUUM OF PROGRAMMING STARTING IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH A FULL YEAR AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, AND FORGES TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS.
- Income
- $9.4 million
- Spending
- $7.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 9.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 69%
- Employees
- 291
- Volunteers
- 137
- Highest pay
- $247,719, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 9.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 16% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2518 of 18 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 June 30, 2025, 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)
- $4.1 million spent. THE K-8 PROGRAM (1,254 SERVED IN FY25) - THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES MENTORING, HOMEWORK HELP, SERVICE LEARNING, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING DELIVERED MOSTLY IN THE AFTERSCHOOL SETTING. THIS PROGRAM ADDRESSES DEVELOPMENTAL BARRIERS THAT INHIBIT THE LEARNING PROCESS, PROVIDES YOUTH WITH A SAFE ENVIRONMENT TO EXPLORE NEW INTERESTS, AND OPENS DOORS TO OPPORTUNITIES THAT OTHERWISE MIGHT NOT BE AVAILABLE. YOUTH IN THIS PROGRAM DEVELOP ACADEMIC SKILLS, RECEIVE TUTORING, COMPLETE HOMEWORK, AND BUILD FRIENDSHIPS. THE PROGRAM ALSO INCORPORATES PROJECT-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES, TEAM-BUILDING EXERCISES, MINDFULNESS PRACTICE, AND FIELD TRIPS. PARTICIPATION IN OUR PROGRAM LEADS TO IMPROVED MATH GRADES. IN THE 2022-23 SCHOOL YEAR, THE MORE TIME A SCHOLAR SPENT IN OUR PROGRAM, THE GREATER THE IMPROVEMENT IN HIS OR HER MATH GRADE FROM THE FALL TO THE SPRING. A STUDY WITH ONE OF OUR DISTRICT PARTNERS WHERE ODA OPERATES FOUR PROGRAMS SHOWED THAT OUR PROGRAM KEEPS KIDS IN SCHOOL. THE STUDY FOUND THAT ENROLLMENT IN ODA'S AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMMING REDUCED THE LIKELIHOOD OF IN-YEAR ATTRITION BY 57%.
- $942,198 spent. THE HIGH SCHOOL PLUS PROGRAM (218 SERVED IN FY25) - THIS CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAM INCLUDES COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT, MENTORING, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, FINANCIAL LITERACY, SERVICE LEARNING, AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING DELIVERED MOSTLY IN AN AFTERSCHOOL SETTING. THE CURRICULUM FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INCLUDES CAREER ASSESSMENTS, RESUME AND COVER LETTER WRITING, ALONG WITH MOCK INTERVIEWS. IN ADDITION, STUDENTS ARE CONNECTED TO JOB SHADOWING AND OTHER WORK-BASED EXPERIENCES DURING EVERY YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL AND DURING THE FIRST YEAR AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. STUDENTS ARE EXPOSED TO POTENTIAL CAREER PATHS THROUGH FIELD TRIPS AND CAREER PANELS. STUDENTS ALSO VISIT COLLEGE CAMPUSES THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF OHIO, ALONG WITH ONE NATIONAL TRIP TO EXPOSE SCHOLARS TO POTENTIAL COLLEGE OPPORTUNITIES. SINCE 2018, 97% OF STUDENTS IN ODA'S HIGH SCHOOL PLUS PROGRAM WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED FOR TWO OR MORE YEARS HAVE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL, AND 85% HAVE ENROLLED IN A POSTSECONDARY CAREER OR COLLEGE OPTION IMMEDIATELY AFTER GRADUATION.
- $1.1 million spent. THE SUMMER PROGRAM (733 SERVED IN FY25) - THIS PROGRAM IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF OUR CONTINUUM OF PROGRAMMING. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF SUMMER CAMPS, PAID INTERNSHIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARS, FAMILY PROGRAMMING, SERVICE-LEARNING, AND TRAVEL. ODA OPERATES A K-8 SUMMER CAMP AND A HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP, EACH FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT WEEKS AT NO COST TO FAMILIES. SUMMER CAMP INCORPORATES LITERACY AND MATH ENRICHMENT, ARTS AND CULTURE, STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH), HEALTH AND WELLNESS, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. SCHOLARS ENGAGE IN SERVICE-LEARNING TO BUILD THE CONNECTION BETWEEN CLASSROOM AND REAL-LIFE AND TO CULTIVATE EMPATHY, COLLABORATION, AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS. OUR SERVICE-LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES VARY ANNUALLY AND HAVE INCLUDED A THREE DAY TRIP TO BOWLING GREEN, OHIO, WHERE SCHOLARS ENGAGE WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IN DIFFERENT SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES. WHEN THEY RETURN HOME, THEY SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH GREATER CLEVELAND COMMUNITY PARTNERS.
- $605,699 spent. ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE: FAMILY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM (3,252 SERVED IN FY25) - THIS PROGRAM HELPS PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS NAVIGATE BOTH (1) THE DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES OF CHILDREN AGES FIVE THROUGH ADOLESCENCE AND HOW THEY CAN SUPPORT ALONG THAT CONTINUUM, AND (2) WAYS IN WHICH PARENTS CAN SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE K-16 EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AND BEYOND. THIS TWO-GENERATION APPROACH IS CENTRAL TO ODA'S WORK BECAUSE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IS VITAL TO THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF CHILDREN. ODA OFFERS MONTHLY WORKSHOPS AS PART OF ITS "FAMILY PARTNERSHIP SERIES" TO HELP PARENTS DEVELOP SKILLS AND ACCESS RESOURCES WHICH ALLOW THEM TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY AND STABLE HOME LIFE. WORKSHOPS PROVIDE STRATEGIES ON HOW PARENTS CAN HELP THEIR CHILDREN DEVELOP SOCIALLY AND ACADEMICALLY TO ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS. THERE ARE ALSO FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOPS WHICH TEACH FAMILIES STRATEGIES THEY CAN USE TO PLAN FOR THE COST OF THEIR CHILDREN'S POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION. ODA ALSO HOSTS AT LEAST FOUR FAMILY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND NETWORK FAMILIES TO ONE ANOTHER AND COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL RESOURCES. ODA'S FAMILY ADVISORY COUNCIL (FAC) IS THE VEHICLE ODA USES TO DESIGN AND CREATE ITS FAMILY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMING. FAC MEETS MONTHLY TO DESIGN FAMILY EDUCATION WORKSHOPS, COLLEGE TRIPS, AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES. FAC ALSO PROVIDES OUR PROGRAMMING TEAM WITH FEEDBACK AND IDEAS ON HOW TO IMPROVE PROGRAMMING AND SUPPORT FOR SCHOLARS AND FAMILIES. FAC IS COMPRISED OF MEMBERS OF ODA'S LEADERSHIP TEAM AND TWO PARENT REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH ODA SITE. IN FY25, 90% OF FAMILIES REPORTED THEY WERE SATISFIED WITH ODA'S SERVICES, AND 85% REPORTED ODA POSITIVELY IMPACTED THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR CHILDREN.CENTER FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL ADVANCEMENT (COSA) PROGRAM (SERVED 300 OTHER OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT OHIO, INDIRECTLY SERVING 40,000 KIDS) - COSA WORKS TO DEVELOP, DEEPEN AND ALIGN LOCAL, REGIONAL, STATE AND NATIONAL EFFORTS TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR HIGH-QUALITY OUT-OF-SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS. COSA HAS SUPPORTED OVER 300 RECIPIENTS OF OHIO'S NITA M. LOWEY 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER PROGRAM THROUGH TRAININGS, CONSULTATIONS AND CONFERENCES. 100% OF PROGRAMS HAVE MADE IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR SERVICES BECAUSE OF COSA TRAININGS AND 90% OF PARTICIPANTS IN COSA'S TRAININGS HAVE INDICATED SATISFACTION WITH THEM.SCHOLAR TRAVEL OPPORTUNITES & WORK-BASED EXPERIENCES - ODA OFFERS TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHOLARS IN GRADES 6-12 WHO ARE ENROLLED IN OUR ACADEMIC YEAR AND SUMMER PROGRAMS. ODA CONNECTS STUDENTS WITH JOB SHADOWING AND OTHER WORK-BASED EXPERIENCES DURING EVERY YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL AND DURING THE FIRST YEAR AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. STUDENTS ARE EXPOSED TO COLLEGE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH FIELD TRIPS, COLLEGE VISITS, AND CAREER PANELS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.
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 October 2002.
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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