Leadership Newark Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION AND PROGRAMS.
- Income
- $501,397
- Spending
- $432,688
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 16.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 91%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 10
- Highest pay
- $187,791, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 16.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (1)
- $334,600 spent. LN PROGRAM- The LN program is as a community building fellowship program, which prepares and grooms adults to be civic leaders through public policy enrichment augmented by skill building and team building sessions as well (SEE SCHEDULE O FOR DETAILS). Each year the program works with approximately 63 participants. The seminars are delivered in an adult friendly learning environment allowing for tremendous interaction and exchange among the Fellows, and recognized experts. We employ various formats including panel discussions, keynote addresses, site visits, case studies, small group dialogue and experiential training. In all instances we bring policy makers, elected officials, academicians and nationally recognized leaders in a small setting to share their knowledge, talents and expertise with the participants, who are eager community activists. Ultimately creating a powerful forum for the exchange of ideas and new approaches to some of the challenges facing the Newark community. The impact of the program and contribution to the community landscape can be felt across all sectors-demonstrated through the diversity of the participants professionally, ethnically and geographically. Specifically, 20% of the participants are in the non-profit sector; 17% in business/corporate; 14% in education; 12% in law; 11% in government; 10% in healthcare and 15% spread across the fields of architecture, law enforcement, & the arts. The City benefits from 85% of the LN alumni working in the City and 47% of the entire network residing in Newark. The 2-year fellowship program provides a foundation for one to get to know much of the inner workings of the local community and how state and national trends may influence services to the residents of Newark in the first year. In the second year, participants "give back" to the community by serving as volunteer consultants to local non-profit organizations, addressing a specific need which would improve the delivery of service to those served by that organization. In a recent letter to the public Mayor Ras Baraka, stated our impact best, "Leadership Newark has played a major role in our Citys transformation, by working tirelessly to build the future we want for the City we love. I am proud of the vital role Leadership Newark is playing as a partner in our work. Truly, Leadership Newark is a winner."
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1999.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.