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Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis

EIN 26-0844268 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO MAINTAIN A FORMAL PROGRAM OF CHESS INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS OF ALL AGES AND LEVELS AND TO INCREASE THE AWARENESS OF THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF CHESS.IT IS THE MISSION OF THE CHESS CLUB AND SCHOLASTIC CENTER OF SAINT LOUIS, AN EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION, TO MAINTAIN A FORMAL PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION TO TEACH THE GAME OF CHESS AND TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT ITS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM THROUGH COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND LOCAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS TO INCREASE THE AWARENESS OF THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF CHESS.

Income
$31.2 million
Spending
$19.7 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
-1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
112
Volunteers
7
Highest pay
$345,371, grandmaster & chess player

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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 87% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 6 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (2)
  1. $8.5 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O:APPLIED EDUCATION:IN 2024, THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED TO HOST NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP-LEVEL CHESS COMPETITIONS, PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH A REAL-WORLD UNDERSTANDING OF HOW FAR THEIR ACADEMIC AND STRATEGIC ACHIEVEMENTS IN CHESS COULD TAKE THEM. THESE EVENTS OFFERED STUDENTS THE CHANCE TO WITNESS NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CHESS PLAYERS COMPETING, SHOWCASING HIGH-LEVEL CHESS STRATEGY. THE ORGANIZATION'S LEADERSHIP BELIEVES THAT EXPOSURE TO SUCH TOURNAMENTS INSPIRES STUDENTS TO EXCEL IN CHESS, WITH THE PROSPECT OF ONE DAY COMPETING FOR SUBSTANTIAL CASH PRIZES AND ACHIEVING PERSONAL AND INTELLECTUAL RECOGNITION. IN 2024, THE ORGANIZATION HOSTED THE U.S. CHAMPIONSHIP, U.S. WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP, U.S. JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP, U.S. GIRLS' CHAMPIONSHIP, AND U.S. SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP, IN ADDITION TO THE SINQUEFIELD CUP, CAIRNS CUP, ST. LOUIS MASTERS, AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS. THESE PRESTIGIOUS COMPETITIONS, FEATURING SOME OF THE WORLD'S TOP PLAYERS, CONTINUE TO DRAW GLOBAL ATTENTION TO THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION AND ITS ROLE IN PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN CHESS EDUCATION.
  2. $5.6 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE O:DIRECT CLASSROOM:DIRECT CLASSROOM:THE ORGANIZATION'S CORE MISSION REMAINS FOCUSED ON PROVIDING CHESS INSTRUCTION TO STUDENTS THROUGH TWO PRIMARY MODES: AT ITS CAMPUS LOCATED AT 4657 MARYLAND AVENUE IN SAINT LOUIS, MO, AND IN SATELLITE CLASSROOMS AT PARTICIPATING K-12 SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, AND COMMUNITY CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE GREATER SAINT LOUIS METRO AREA ("PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS"). ADDITIONALLY, THE VIRTUAL LEARNING PLATFORM ESTABLISHED IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CONTINUES TO BE A VITAL COMPONENT OF THE ORGANIZATION'S INSTRUCTIONAL OFFERINGS. FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME INSTRUCTORS PROVIDE LESSONS IN-PERSON AT THE CAMPUS, WITHIN AREA SCHOOLS, AND VIRTUALLY, SUPPORTING A DIVERSE RANGE OF STUDENTS. IN 2024, THE ORGANIZATION SERVED APPROXIMATELY 6,000 STUDENTS AT ITS CAMPUS, WHILE MORE THAN 6,000 STUDENTS WERE ENROLLED IN SATELLITE CLASSROOMS AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMS. THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS A STRUCTURED CURRICULUM, USING FORMAL CLASSES AND TEXTBOOKS TO DELIVER A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. IN 2024, THE ORGANIZATION HOSTED AND ORGANIZED OVER 100 CHESS TOURNAMENTS AND 200 LECTURES, CLASSES, AND SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES. IT ALSO CONDUCTED VIRTUAL INSTRUCTIONAL SUMMER CAMPS, BOTH LOCALLY AND FOR STUDENTS NATIONWIDE, INCLUDING SPECIALIZED CAMPS FOR TOP-TIER STUDENT CHESS PLAYERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

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

  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 2024.

    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 July 2008.

    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.