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Action St Louis

EIN 32-0634890 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ACTION ST. LOUIS IS A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION THAT BUILDS CAMPAIGNSTHAT LEVERAGE ORGANIZING, ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATIONS TO TRANSFORM THEST. LOUIS REGION.

Income
$3.4 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
5.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
35
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$128,276, executive director

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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 67% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (crime and legal services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $2.7 million spent. ADVOCACY - ACTION ST. LOUIS WORKS TO ELEVATE THE VOICES OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY ISSUES OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND HOUSING. THROUGH CAMPAIGNS, WE WORK WITH RESIDENTS OF ST. LOUIS TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND BUILD A COLLECTIVE ANALYSIS ON HOW TO IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITIES. THIS WORK INCLUDES HOSTING EVENTS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT TO THE BROADER PUBLIC.
  2. $982,377 spent. DEMOCRACY AND VOTER EDUCATION ACTION ST. LOUIS ROUTINELY ENGAGES THE GENERAL PUBLIC THROUGH FIELD AND DIGITAL MEDIUMS TO EDUCATE THEM ON UPCOMING ELECTIONS. ACTION ALSO WORKS TO ENSURE TOOLS OF DEMOCRACY ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL COMMUNITIES BY CONFRONTING BARRIERS.
  3. $103,860 spent. TRAINING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ACTION ST. LOUIS RECRUITS AND TRAINS COMMUNITY MEMBERS ON ORGANIZING FUNDAMENTALS, CIVIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND HISTORY TO DEVELOP THEIR CAPACITY TO CHAMPION ISSUES THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.

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 December 2021.

    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.