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Edwins Leadership and Restaurantinstitute

EIN 26-0656263 · Cleveland Hts, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EDWINS LEADERSHIP & RESTAURANT INSTITUTE IS A UNIQUE APPROACH TO GIVING FORMERLY-INCARCERATED ADULTS AND SIMILARLY DISADVANTAGED AND AT RISK INDIVIDUALS A FOUNDATION IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY WHILE PROVIDING A SUPPORT NETWORK NECESSARY FOR A SUCCESSFUL RE-ENTRY. EDWINS' GOAL IS TO ENHANCE THE COMMUNITY OF CLEVELAND'S VULNERABLE NEIGHBORHOODS BY PROVIDING ITS FUTURE LEADERS. OUR MISSION IS TO TEACH A SKILLED TRADE IN THE CULINARY ARTS, EMPOWER WILLING MINDS THROUGH PASSION FOR THE HOSPITALITY AND PREPARE STUDENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION INTO THE WORLD OF BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS.

Income
$5.6 million
Spending
$5.6 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
-0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
70
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$219,423, president/founder/ceo

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

Financial health

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 88% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 52% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 July 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 (1)
  1. $4.9 million spent. THE GOAL OF EDWINS' PROGRAM IS TO CREATE A PIPELINE OF SKILLED TALENT INTO ONE OF CLEVELAND'S GROWTH INDUSTRIES: RESTAURANT AND HOSPITALITY.OUR PROGRAM:- CREATES AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES 6 MONTHS OF INTENSIVE TRAINING IN FOOD PREPARATION, FOOD SERVICE AND HOSPITALITY- ESTABLISHES A FULLY FUNCTIONING KITCHEN AND COMMERCIAL RESTAURANT THAT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND- COLLABORATES WITH AN EXISTING TRANSITION SUPPORT ORGANIZATION IN CLEVELAND- PROVIDES A MODEST STIPEND FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING AND MEETING THE PROGRAM'S PERFORMANCE STANDARDS- PROVIDES STUDENTS EXPOSURE TO EXPERIENCED INDUSTRY SPECIALISTS SUCH AS TEACHERS, MENTORS, AND POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS- PROVIDES CASE MANAGEMENT AND ASSISTANCE FOR PREVENTION OF ANY BARRIERS FOR COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING ASSISTANCE WITH HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, AND CLOTHING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 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 July 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 February 2008.

    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.

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