Leona Tate Foundation for Change Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 48% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE LEONA TATE FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE, IMPROVE, AND ENHANCE RACIAL EQUALITY THROUGH VARIOUS AVENUES OF EDUCATION. TO EMPOWER AND ENRICH OUR COMMUNITIES FROM A SPIRITUAL, MULTICULTURAL, ECONOMICAL, HISTORICAL, AND SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE.
- Income
- $508,099
- Spending
- $720,959
- Spent on programs
- 48%
- Reserves
- 17.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 79%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $70,000, executive director
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: 60 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 17.8 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 49% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 42% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 59% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1548% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 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
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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 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 (4)
- $157,275 spent. TEP Tours Description of the accomplishments - In 2024, the LTFC staff welcomed 737 adults to the TEP Center, participating in a Tour of the former McDonogh 19 Elementary School (current TEP Interpretive Center), including the principal's office, the McDonogh 3's 1st grade classroom, historical markers, the LA Civil Rights Train marker, and the newly installed B. Mike mural. Measurements- 737 adults toured the TEP Center in 2024NEW - Three new part-time docents were hired/trained in 2024. This addition to our staff enabled us to welcome hundreds of additional adults to the TEP center in 2024. Narrative - Visitors step into the time/place of desegregation, experiencing desegregation history & seeing themselves inside history.
- $92,414 spent. Storyteller's Experience Description of the accomplishments - LTFC partnered with 20+ New Orleans area schools during the 2023/2024 school year Measurements - 1300 students visited the TEP Center in 2024, including 400 students who joined LTFC for the 64th Anniversary of Public School Desegregation "18 Steps: a Journey to Justice in Education" stage production, bringing desegregation history to life. NEW - LTFC partnered with 13 new schools in 2024 to schedule field trips, participate in anti-racism conversations & meet Civil Rights icon, Dr. Leona Tate Narrative - LTFC invites classes from the NOLA area to travel to the TEP Center to walk in the 3 young girls' shoes, participate in anti-racism conversations & tell their own stories in connection to history.
- $2,520 spent. TEP Talk Description of the Accomplishments - Through the publication of 4 different TEP Talk programs, LTFC has reached over 300 people with unique discussions connecting the Civil Rights Movement to current Social Justice concerns. Measurements - LTFC welcomed 25 people to participate in TEP Center TEP Talks in 2024. NEW - The TEP Center Program Director included an annual TEP Talk as a part of the Anniversary Week Activities, celebrating a different aspect of the Civil Rights Movement & tying it into current events. Narrative - TEP Talks is a forum highlighting untold stories of the Civil Rights Movement in NOLA, connecting them to present justice issues.
- $92,414 spent. Ringing the Bell Description of the Accomplishments -As a part of the first Ringing the Bell cohort, Frederick Douglass Teachers & LTFC program director worked on a lesson to be taught to the entire student body. The lesson built upon New Orleans history, connecting Mardi Gras history & tradition to the larger New Orleans society. The lesson that was created touched on the history of desegregation in the Krewes, the history of Mardi Gras celebrations in general and what is the impact of parading through communities. Ultimately this lesson was taught to nearly 700 high school aged students. Measurements - 700 students, 6 teachers and 2 administrators participated in the Ringing the Bell Program in the Fall of 2024. Narrative - "Ringing the Bell" is a professional development program for teachers, instructing them on best practices for including civil rights lessons into their core curriculum. The goal is to undo racist educational systems, increase teacher retention & experience growth in student outcomes.
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
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 December 2024.
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 August 2009.
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.
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.