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Urban League of Cleveland

EIN 34-0720563 · Cleveland, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Urban League of Greater Cleveland, Inc., (the League) is a community-based organization focused on eliminating the racial, economic, and societal barriers that prevent Black Americans and other underrepresented/underserved communities of color from achieving their

Income
$4.4 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 63%
Employees
46
Highest pay
$182,000, president

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: 47 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 53% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    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 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 (5)
  1. $1.2 million spent. ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER: The Entrepreneurship Center works with private, public and nonprofit resources to build strong, sustainable and successful minority businesses. The result is wealth creation, job creation and better economic health in the minority and urban core communities of Cleveland. The Entrepreneurship Center assesses the needs and capabilities of minority business owners. Then those aspiring or current business owners are linked with resources, classes,training and counseling that will help them grow to the next level of success.
  2. $914,610 spent. VOCATIONAL PREPARATION, JOB TRAINING, VOCATIONAL COUNCELING AND PLACEMENT - Services include job readiness training, preparation of resumes, interviewing, job search and placement services. Specialized services are provided to non-custodial fathers including parenting and employment skills.
  3. $633,533 spent. EDUCATION FUND - Services which constitute the preventive arm of the Urban League. Building strong skills, fostering self-sufficiency at this level creates economic impact for the future. Youth who become well educated, gainfully employed contributing citizens will be an intricate part of tomorrows society. Services include college exposure career education, work-based learning expeiences, shadowing and service learning.
  4. $1.1 million spent. Supporting Program Fund
  5. $196,142 spent. The Urban League of Greater Cleveland is in a unique position and time in history, to be a pivotal player in the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion space. We are receiving unprecedented requests for thought leadership, technical assistance, and best practices, from across various systems in our community. To position ourselves as credible leaders in the space, we thought it appropriate to establish an Equity Institute. The Institute will allow us to provide strategic advising; education, training & skill development to individuals, groups and organizations among other consulting services in the areas of DEI and ESG. The establishment of an Equity Institute will further entrench us as a credible and effective solutions provider.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 May 1956.

    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.