Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Shape Community Center Inc

EIN 23-7176982 · Houston, TX

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To improve the quality of life for people of African descent through programs and activities emphasizing Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work & Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$676,148
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
5.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
13
Volunteers
200
Highest pay
$34,099, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $426,941 spent. The Family Strengthening & Empowerment Programs include the After School Enrichment Program (ASEP), which serves children ages 5-13 and their caregivers, primarily single parents and extremely low-income families. ASEP promotes academic and life-choice success for students through homework assistance, tutorial study, life skills, and cultural sharing experiences during the school year. In addition, parent support group meetings are held biweekly on Wednesdays, with 100% participation, to address parenting skills issues, challenges, strategies, and family strengthening and empowerment. See Schedule O The annual Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) offers an 8-week, full-day program for children and youth, featuring emotional learning, meditation, physical activities, arts and crafts, language, history, financial literacy, academics, and weekly caregiver support group meetings. ASEP programs operate on average for 38 weeks of the year, serving 45 youth and 60 caregivers during the school year, and 95 SEP youth and approximately 105 caregivers during the eight-week summer session.
  2. $126,692 spent. Community Programs & Activities: 1) youth & adult computer classes, 2) legal assistance clinics, 3) adult education classes and employment assistance, 4) weekly HIV/AIDS education classes, 5) weekly elders Institute of Wisdom meetings, 6) annual Pan African Cultural Festival, 7) annual Kwanzaa celebrations, 8) semi-annual performing and visual art mini-concerts and exhibits, and 9) forums for community issues such as tobacco prevention, voter registration and mobilization, and other issues. These programs and activities educate community members on arts and culture, healthy lifestyles, and critical issues to strengthen the community and support our philosophy of fostering a "Strong Family, Strong Nation." SHAPE directly serves over 7,500 people annually and impacts significantly more through these programs and activities.
  3. $4,478 spent. Community Assistance: To provide housing, food, and educational assistance to the parents of the youth program.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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 September 7, 2026.

  2. 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 September 30, 2026.

  3. 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since August 1972.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. 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 7, 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.