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Noahs Arc Foundation

EIN 27-1412550 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceWeak47 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

THE NOAH'S ARC FOUNDATION PROVIDES DIVERSE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO BECOME MORE AWARE AND CONSCIOUS OF THEIR ABILITY TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEMSELVES AND THEIR COMMUNITY. THE FOUNDATION'S ART AND BASKETBALL PROGRAMS TARGET YOUTH IN CHICAGO'S HIGH-NEEDS COMMUNITIES.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$2.5 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
-0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 84%
Employees
0
Volunteers
10

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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $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 79% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 139% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 10 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.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $2.1 million spent. One City: The One City Basketball League is a Chicago-based peace league that operates in partnership with 28 community-based violence prevention organizations. The league, which services young men aged 16 to 25, pairs financial compensation with mandatory off-court programming ranging from financial literacy, to trauma-informed conflict resolution and job readiness. The league also provides free basketball clinics open to all Chicago youth.
  2. $96,903 spent. LOTA/Expressions:Ladies of the Arc (LOTA): This program provides peer-led support groups for mothers impacted by grief, isolation, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and the residual effects of prolonged exposure to community violence, including the loss of a loved one to homicide.Expression from the Inside: Expression from the Inside includes trauma-informed expressive art workshops that provide participants with an opportunity for personal and emotional exploration through art. The program is designed to help youth, families, and mothers address trauma they have experienced due to violence.
  3. $29,021 spent. Other Programs:Other Basketball Programs: Over the years, the Organization has developed and supported a variety of basketball-based programs designed to engage youth, promote unity, and provide safe, positive spaces for personal development. From local tournaments to community partnerships, each initiative has been rooted in our belief that the values learned through basketballrespect, leadership, and perseveranceextend far beyond the game.Rock your Drop: The Rock Your Drop initiative was a peace movement that raised awareness on nonviolence, and was primarily based in Chicago. When you wear your Drop of Consciousness you make a pledge to positive change to your community.Water Program: The Organization aims to facilitate access to clean drinking water to communities that have little or no access, as well as aid in disaster relief and the immediate needs of people following a natural disaster, by giving access to Altitude Water Atmospheric Generator (AWG) to individuals, communities, and/or aid entities. These provide immediate access to clean purified drinking water, and also removes the dependency on hundreds of thousands of plastic bottles and the waste these produce (Past locations: West Africa, Maui).

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 September 2010.

    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.