Akron Community Service Center & Urban League
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE CITIZENS OF SUMMIT COUNTY, PARTICULARLY AFRICAN AMERICANS, BY ADVOCATING AND FACILITATING PROGRAMS THAT ARE ECONOMICALLY AND EDUCATIONALLY TRANSFORMATIONAL, IMPACTING THEIR LIVES AND THE LIVES OF FUTURE GENERATIONS.
- Income
- $2.7 million
- Spending
- $3.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 69%
- Reserves
- -4.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 56%
- Employees
- 51
- Volunteers
- 70
- Highest pay
- $93,295, cfo (thru 11/24/24)
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 38% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 37% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1569% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2521 of 21 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 December 31, 2024, 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)
- $1.0 million spent. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: OUR HIGHLY REPUTABLE AND PROVEN EMPLOYMENT CENTER OFFERS CAREER COUNSELING, EMPLOYMENT TRAINING, EFFECTIVE RESUME WRITING INSTRUCTION, EMPLOYMENT LEADS AND REFERRALS, INTERVIEW SKILL TIPS, AND EMPLOYER VISITS. GEARED TOWARDS 18 AND OLDER INDIVIDUALS IN THE COUNTY.
- $380,685 spent. INVESTING IN CHILDREN: YOUTH, AGES 13 TO 24, PARTICIPATE IN ACADEMIC TUTORING, JOB READINESS TRAINING, RESUME BUILDING, INTERVIEW PRACTICE, OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO EMPLOYMENT AND ON-THE-JOB TRAINING. CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 5 TO 12 SPEND JUNE TO AUGUST ENJOYING EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, ARTS AND CRAFTS, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, FIELD TRIPS, AND FREE LUNCH
- $1.0 million spent. THE MINORITY BUSINESS ASSISTANCE CENTER (MBAC) AKRON, OPERATED BY THE AKRON URBAN LEAGUE, PROVIDES FREE SERVICES TO MINORITY, WOMEN, AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESSES ACROSS NINE NORTHEAST OHIO COUNTIES. THE PROGRAM OFFERS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT WITH CERTIFICATIONS, ACCESS TO CAPITAL AND BONDING, AND GUIDANCE ON PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP ENTREPRENEURS GROW, CREATE JOBS, AND STRENGTHEN THE LOCAL ECONOMY.
- $137,132 spent. SCHOOL'S IN/SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - GED PREPARATION AND JOB READINESS AND SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ADULTS AGE 16 TO 21. THE MAIN GOALS OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO OBTAIN A GED, SECURE EMPLOYMENT AND REMOVE BARRIERS. THE PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO GAIN UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE SKILLS. FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED HIGH SCHOOL WE OFFER 40 PLUS SCHOLARSHIPS EVERY YEAR.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1946.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 2026.
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