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EIN 31-0718027 · Newark, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak43 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF LEADS IS TO IDENTIFY AND REMOVE THE CAUSES OF POVERTY AND PROVIDE DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO ALLEVIATE THE EFFECTS OF POVERTY TO RESULT IN GREATER SELF-SUFFICIENCY AMONG LOW-INCOME CITIZENS OF OUR AREA.

Income
$9.4 million
Spending
$9.9 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
-6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 82%
Employees
122
Volunteers
399
Highest pay
$203,658, chief executive officer

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

Financial health

Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 73% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 March 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 (4)
  1. $5.0 million spent. CHILD EDUCATION - THIS PROGRAM PROMOTES SCHOOL READINESS BY ENHANCING THE SOCIAL AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN THROUGH THE PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL, HEALTH, NUTRITIONAL, SOCIAL AND OTHER SERVICES TO ENROLLED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. 677 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WERE SERVED BY HEAD START.
  2. $941,992 spent. HOUSING PROJECTS - PROGRAM AND SERVICES THAT PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO LOW AND MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES. REHABILITATION IS ALSO PROVIDED TO RESIDENCES TO GIVE THE FAMILIES MODERN CONVENIENCES. PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT IS AVAILABLE TO MAINTAIN A STABLE RESIDENT BASE AND PROVIDE NEEDED HOUSING FOR THE COMMUNITY. THIS PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES AFFORDABLE MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING FOR LOW-MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES. IN ADDITION, LEADS PROVIDES HOUSING MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO MULTIPLE LOW-INCOME HOUSING PROPERTIES. LEADS ALSO PROVIDES REHABILITATION ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME PARTICIPANTS. THIS PROGRAM SERVED 1342 HOUSEHOLDS DURING THE YEAR.
  3. $1.5 million spent. WEATHERIZATION/ENERGY ASSISTANCE - THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES ENERGY ASSISTANCE TO ELIGIBLE LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS WITH FULL-SCALE HOME ENERGY CONSERVATION SERVICES. THE PROGRAM ALSO HELPS ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME CUSTOMERS MEET COSTS OF HEATING THEIR HOMES AND AVOIDING THE THREAT OF BEING DISCONNECTED. 8369 HOUSEHOLDS WERE SERVED DURING THE YEAR.
  4. $1.3 million spent. COMMUNITY SERVICES, OLDER ADULT PROGRAMS, FOOD PROGRAMS AND CORPORATE PROGRAM ACTIVITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 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 March 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 June 1966.

    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.