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Columbus Urban League

EIN 31-4379453 · Columbus, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

YOUR COLUMBUS URBAN LEAGUE IS A TRUSTED, COMMUNITY-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION. WE CREATE OPPORTUNITY AND ACCESS FOR ALL PEOPLE THROUGH ECONOMIC, EDUCATIONAL, AND SOCIAL PROGRESS.

Income
$13.5 million
Spending
$15.0 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 73%
Employees
326
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$413,356, chief executive officer

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

Good: 73 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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 (4)
  1. $2.6 million spent. CAREER SERVICES: PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT TO JOB SEEKERS AND ASPIRING PROFESSIONALS TO HELP THEM REACH THEIR CAREER GOALS. INDIVIDUALS ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE TOOLS AND CONFIDENCE THEY NEED TO SUCCEED IN TODAY'S COMPETITIVE JOB MARKET.
  2. $894,214 spent. ENTREPRENEURSHIP & SMALL BUSINESS SERVICES: PROVIDES NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS BY WORKING TO EQUIP PARTICIPANTS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, RESOURCES AND SUPPORT NEEDED TO TRANSFORM THEIR BUSINESS IDEAS INTO REALITY. THESE SERVICES FOSTER VENTURES THAT NOT ONLY SUCCEED BUT ALSO MAKE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT ON OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.
  3. $3.0 million spent. FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT SERVICES: PROVIDES PARTICIPANTS WITH THE TOOLS, KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES NECESSARY TO UNDERSTAND AND TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR FINANCES. THIS HELPS TO ENSURE EVERYONE CAN BE PART OF A FINANCIALLY EMPOWERED COMMUNITY.
  4. $4.2 million spent. HEAD START: PROVIDES PRE-KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION SERVICES TO CHILDREN AGES 3-5 YEARS OLD. HEAD START ALSO PROVIDES WRAP-AROUND SERVICES TO FAMILIES INCLUDING RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING AND HEALTH SERVICES.

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 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 June 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 December 1941.

    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.