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Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Inc

EIN 26-0461447 · Fort Scott, KS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceFair51 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LOWELL MILKEN CENTER DISCOVERS, DEVELOPS AND COMMUNICATES THE STORIES OF UNSUNG HEROES WHO HAVE MADE A PROFOUND AND POSITIVE DIFFERENCE ON THE COURSE OF HISTORY. THROUGH STUDENT-DRIVEN PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD LEARN THAT EACH OF US HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY AND THE POWER TO TAKE ACTIONS THAT "REPAIR THE WORLD" BY IMPROVING THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

Income
$709,308
Spending
$749,486
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
10
Highest pay
$86,000, president

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

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    6 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. $429,764 spent. THE LOWELL MILKEN CENTER WORKS WITH SCHOOLS AROUND THE WORLD TO TEACH RESPECT AND UNDERSTANDING AMONG ALL PEOPLE, BY DEVELOPING HISTORY PROJECTS ABOUT UNSUNG HEROES WHOSE ACTIONS PROMOTE THESE VALUES, REGARDLESS OF RACE, RELIGION OR CREED. TEACHING RESPECT AND UNDERSTANDING THROUGH PROJECT- BASED LEARNING AND TELLING INSPIRING STORIES OF UNSUNG HEROES TO CHANGE BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES.
  2. $71,447 spent. RECOGNITION OF OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS THAT TEACH AND PROMOTE THE VALUE OF DIVERSITY AMONG ALL PEOPLE BY SPONSORING THE LOWELL MILKEN CENTER INTERN AND FELLOW AWARDS.
  3. $39,610 spent. THE LOWELL MILKEN CENTER DISCOVERY AWARD IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO USE CREATIVE TALENTS TO RESEARCH PRIMARY SOURCES AND DEVELOP OUTSTANDING PROJECTS FEATURING UNSUNG HEROES WHO NOW SERVE AS MODELS FOR HOW TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2007.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.