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Shape Up Mississippi

EIN 27-2141996 · Vicksburg, MS

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION WILL WORK TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PUBLIC; PURSUE THE CREATION OF SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY; EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT PROPER NUTRITION, REDUCTION AND AVOIDANCE OF OBESITY, AND THE MAINTENANCE OF OTHER HEALTHY LIFESTYLES; PURSUE THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY-ORIENTED PROJECTS SUCH AS A COMMUNITY GARDEN, AND RECREATIONAL, EXERCISE OR EDUCATIONAL PARKS; PURSUE DIVERSE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDING PROJECTS THAT CELEBRATE THE UNIQUE HISTORY AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY OF THE REGION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO A MULTICULTURAL AND INTERPRETIVE MUSEUM; AND PROMOTE THE INTEGRATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF THE STUDY OF THE ARTS AND CULTURE.

Income
$28,294
Spending
$90,955
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
-8.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 66%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (health care, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 221% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 85% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (health care, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, 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. $36,341 spent. THE ORGANIZATION WILL WORK TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH, WELL-BEING, AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE PUBLIC; PURSUE THE CREATION OF SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY; EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT PROPER NUTRITION, REDUCTION AND AVOIDANCE OF OBESITY, AND THE MAINTENANCE OF OTHER HEALTHY LIFESTYLES; PURSUE THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY-ORIENTED PROJECTS SUCH AS A COMMUNITY GARDEN, AND RECREATIONAL, EXERCISE OR EDUCATIONAL PARKS.
  2. $30,057 spent. TO PURSUE DIVERSE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDING PROJECTS THAT CELEBRATE THE UNIQUE HISTORY AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY OF THE REGION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO A MULTICULTURAL AND INTERPRETIVE MUSEUM; AND PROMOTE THE INTEGRATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF THE STUDY OF THE ARTS AND CULTURE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending February 28, 2026, 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 October 13, 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 February 2026.

    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 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 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.