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Empower 225

EIN 27-3369951 · Baton Rouge, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak46 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF EMPOWER 225 IS TO POSITIVELY INFLUENCE AND PERSONALLY IMPACT AT-RISK YOUTH BY DEVELOPING MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH LIFE SKILLS TRAINING, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND SAFE HOUSING.

Income
$1.9 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 63%
Employees
40
Highest pay
$75,000, executive di

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

Financial health

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 December 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 (5)
  1. $198,237 spent. ADVOCACY - MY COMMUNITY CARES IS A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES A HOLISTIC APPROACH WITH ADVOCACY AND SERVICES TO YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES TO HELP KEEP THEM OUT OF STATE CUSTODY. THIS INITIATIVE ALSO HELPS TO PROVIDE AWARENESS AND ADVOCACY FOR YOUTH IN CARE AND PROVIDE SUPPORT AND TRAINING FOR CAREGIVERS AND BIRTH PARENTS.
  2. $506,280 spent. EDUCATION - THE ADULT EDUCATION/WORK READY U PROGRAM PROVIDES STUDENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE THEIR HISET AND WORKFORCE PREPAREDNESS. THE PREVENTING TRAFFICKING OF GIRLS (PTG) PROGRAM PROVIDES OR ENHANCE PREVENTATIVE EDUCATION, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND MENTORSHIP TO GIRLS AGES 12-18 WHO ARE AT RISK AND WHOM HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A VICTIM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
  3. $655,546 spent. THE EMPOWER 225 CHARACTER FIRST LEADERSHIP ACADEMY HELPS SELECTED MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL AGED YOUTH BECOME INDEPENDENT THROUGH LIFE SKILLS, COMMUNITY SERVICE AND CAREER EXPOSURE. DREAMVILLE (DVILLE), AN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM, AND THE L.I.T. (LEADERS IN TRAINING) SUMMER CAMP PROVIDES A SAFE POSITIVE PLACE AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT FOR AT RISK YOUTH AGES 13-18 AFTER SCHOOL AND DURING THE SUMMER. CILP PROGRAM PROVIDES LIFE SKILLS TRAINING FOR YOUTH AGES 14-21 IN FOSTER CARE OR AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE. THE STREET OUTREACH PROGRAM PROVIDES STREET-BASED INTERVENTION AND WRAP-AROUND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO HOMELESS AND ATRISK YOUTH AGES 16-21 TO HELP MOVE THEM TOWARDS A SUCCESSFUL, SELF-SUFFICIENT ADULTHOOD.
  4. $419,125 spent. HOUSING - ANCHOR HOUSE PROVIDES STABLE HOUSING AND SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS OR AT RISK MALE YOUTH AGES 16-21. IT IS A FAMILY-STYLE TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM USED TO CREATE A SUPPORTIVE HOME ENVIRONMENT.
  5. HOUSING - ANCHOR HOUSE PROVIDES STABLE HOUSING AND SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS OR AT RISK MALE YOUTH AGES 16-21. IT IS A FAMILY-STYLE TRANSITIONAL LIVING PROGRAM USED TO CREATE A SUPPORTIVE HOME ENVIRONMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 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 2025.

    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 2011.

    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.

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