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Embarc Inc

EIN 27-3453182 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EMBARC, INC. IS AN ORGANIZATION WHICH INCREASES ACADEMIC SUCCESS FOR LOW INCOME HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BY IMMERSING THEM IN SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, LIFE SKILLS, AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES. THE ORGANIZATION USES A SYSTEMATIC AND LONG-TERM MODEL THAT EXTENDS THROUGH THE COURSE OF A STUDENT'S HIGH SCHOOL CAREER.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$4.1 million
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
5.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
35
Volunteers
28
Highest pay
$222,325, chief executive officer - term

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 43% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 39 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (2)
  1. $2.5 million spent. EMBARC IS A HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES COMMUNITY-DRIVEN, EXPERIENCED-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO LOW-INCOME HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO INSPIRE AND PREPARE THEM FOR POSTSECONDARY SUCCESS.
  2. $7,002 spent. POST-SECONDARY INITIATIVE IS AIMED AT GUIDING SENIORS AND RECENT GRADUATES INTO AND THROUGH THEIR FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE. THIS INCLUDES ADVISEMENT AROUND COLLEGE AND PATHWAY FIT, SUPPORT WITH THE POST-SECONDARY PROCESS, AND ESTABLISHING PARTNERSHIPS WITH KEY INSTITUTIONS AND PROGRAMS THAT TARGET AND ADVOCATE FOR LOW-INCOME, FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS. ONCE OUR SENIORS GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL, EMBARC CONTINUES TO OFFER A RANGE OF SERVICES SUCH AS: QUARTERLY ALUMNI EVENTS, MENTORING OPPORTUNITIES, ASSISTANCE WITH FAFSA AND OTHER COLLEGE/JOB RELATED APPLICATIONS, AS WELL AS MONETARY SUPPORT FOR TEXTBOOKS, COLLEGE FEES AND OTHER NEEDS TO ENSURE PERSISTENCE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2011.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.