University Circle Incorporated
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
UNIVERSITY CIRCLE IS ONE OF THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CULTURAL DISTRICTS IN THE WORLD. WITHIN ONE SQUARE MILE, IT IS HOME TO WORLD-CLASS ARTS, EDUCATIONAL, AND MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS AND PUBLIC SPACES THAT WELCOME MILLIONS OF RESIDENTS, WORKERS, STUDENTS, AND VISITORS EACH YEAR. IT IS A PLACE WHERE GLOBAL EXCELLENCE AND LOCAL LIFE INTERSECTWHERE ART, SCIENCE, MEDICINE, AND EDUCATION SHAPE THE CIVIC AND CULTURAL IDENTITY OF GREATER CLEVELAND.UNIVERSITY CIRCLE INC. (UCI) IS THE NONPROFIT BEHIND THE NEIGHBORHOOD. UCI EXISTS TO STEWARD THIS REMARKABLE PLACE, CONNECT THE PEOPLE WHO BREATHE LIFE INTO IT, AND TELL ITS STORY IN WAYS THAT ARE INCLUSIVE, COMPELLING, AND FUTURE-FOCUSED. OUR MISSION IS TO ANSWER THE CALL FOR CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY IN CLEVELAND'S CIRCLE OF ARTS, CULTURE, WELLNESS, AND LEARNING. OUR VISION IS THAT THE CIRCLE IS AN EXTRAORDINARY PLACE WHERE LOCALS BELONG, AND THE WORLD IS WELCOMED.
- Income
- $13.3 million
- Spending
- $11.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 6.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 46%
- Employees
- 81
- Volunteers
- 69
- Highest pay
- $290,092, president
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
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 10% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 18% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 43% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2560 of 60 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 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 (5)
- $4.1 million spent. SAFETY THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS - THE UNIVERSITY CIRCLE POLICE DEPARTMENT (UCPD) SUPPORTS A SAFE AND WELCOMING DISTRICT THROUGH A COMMUNITY POLICING MODEL GROUNDED IN TRUST AND ENGAGEMENT. UCPD EMPHASIZES SAFETY BY BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS, PRIORITIZING CONSISTENT PRESENCE, AND OPENING DIALOGUE WITH RESIDENTS, EMPLOYEES, STUDENTS, AND VISITORS.UCPD SERVICES ARE SUPPORTED THROUGH A SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT APPROVED BY THE CITY OF CLEVELAND IN 2025 AND ARE NOT SUPPORTED BY UCI'S PHILANTHROPIC OR GRANT-FUNDED PROGRAMS.DURING FY25, UCPD OPERATED WITH APPROXIMATELY 25 COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND STAFF SERVING THE UNIVERSITY CIRCLE AREA. OFFICERS REGULARLY COORDINATE WITH MUSEUM AND CULTURAL PARTNERS THROUGH ROUTINE PATROLS, EVENT STAFFING, AND OFF-DUTY ASSIGNMENTS THAT HELP ENSURE SAFE, ACCESSIBLE ENVIRONMENTS FOR EXHIBITIONS, PERFORMANCES, FESTIVALS, AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS. UCPD ALSO PROVIDES SECURITY AND ENGAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR UCI-PRODUCED EVENTS, INCLUDING PARADE THE CIRCLE & CIRCLE VILLAGE, WADE OVAL WEDNESDAYS, YAY! FALL FUN, AND THE ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING.THE DEPARTMENT ENGAGES IN REGULAR COMMUNITY OUTREACH EFFORTS, TYPICALLY HOSTING TWO OR MORE ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES PER MONTH, SUCH AS COFFEE WITH A COP AND AN AMBASSADOR PROGRAM WITH THE CLEVELAND SIGHT CENTER.UCPD INTEGRATES A COMPASSIONATE APPROACH TO INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CRISES AND/OR HOUSING INSTABILITY. IN FY25, THE DEPARTMENT MAINTAINED BOTH A CRISIS INTERVENTION SPECIALIST AND A DEDICATED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OFFICER, STRENGTHENING ITS ABILITY TO CONNECT INDIVIDUALS WITH APPROPRIATE SOCIAL SERVICES AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES WHILE REDUCING RELIANCE ON ENFORCEMENT-ONLY RESPONSES.UCPD ALSO SERVES AS A REGIONAL RESOURCE BY HOSTING AND PARTICIPATING IN TRAININGS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS, EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, AND UNIVERSITY CIRCLE EMPLOYEES. THE DEPARTMENT WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE CLEVELAND POLICE DEPARTMENT, CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND INSTITUTIONAL SECURITY PARTNERS TO ENSURE A COORDINATED APPROACH TO PUBLIC SAFETY.THROUGH THESE COMBINED EFFORTS, UNIVERSITY CIRCLE REMAINS ONE OF THE SAFEST NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE CITY OF CLEVELAND, SUPPORTING THE DISTRICT'S BROADER GOALS RELATED TO ARTS AND CULTURE, COMMUNITY WELL-BEING, ECONOMIC VITALITY, AND INCLUSIVE PUBLIC SPACES.
- $2.2 million spent. PLACE MANAGEMENT - UNIVERSITY CIRCLE INCORPORATED SERVES AS THE PRIMARY STEWARD OF THE PUBLIC REALM OF UNIVERSITY CIRCE THROUGH ADVOCACY OR DIRECT IMPROVEMENT, AND IS THE IMPLEMENTING AGENT OF A LEGACY LAND BANK CONCEPT WHEREBY REAL ESTATE SITUATED WITHIN UNIVERSITY CIRCLE AND MAY BE ACQUIRED AND HELD UNTIL ITS REUSE OR DEVELOPMENT OCCURS. REAL ESTATE IS USED OR HELD FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES, INCLUDING INCOME PRODUCTION AND SALE TO AREA NON-PROFIT INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS OPERATING IN THE GREATER UNIVERSITY CIRCLE AREA IN A MANNER WHICH ADVANCES UNIVERSITY CIRCLE AS A VIBRANT AND ACCESSIBLE NEIGHBORHOOD, WITH ITS USE AND DISPOSITION DETERMINED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF UNIVERSITY CIRCLE INCORPORATED'S CHARITABLE MISSION. IN THIS CAPACITY, UNIVERSITY CIRCLE INCORPORATED UNDERTAKES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES AND PROVIDES PROPERTY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING GROUND LEASE REDEVELOPMENT, COMMERCIAL RENTAL, AND PUBLIC REALM INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AND MAINTENANCE IN THE GREATER UNIVERSITY CIRCLE AREA. THE UCI TEAM ALSO ADVOCATES FOR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS, PARK ENHANCEMENTS, INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS, AND ONGOING MAINTENANCE AND LANDSCAPING BY WORKING CLOSELY WITH MUNICIPAL AND PRIVATE PARTNERS.
- $1.4 million spent. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, EVENTS, AND ENGAGEMENT - UNIVERSITY CIRCLE INC. PRODUCES FREE PUBLIC FESTIVALS AND PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE UNIVERSITY CIRCLE AS A CULTURAL DESTINATION WHILE EXPANDING ACCESS, PARTICIPATION, AND BELONGING FOR RESIDENTS AND REGIONAL VISITORS. THROUGH COORDINATED EFFORTS BETWEEN ITS MARKETING & EXPERIENCES AND ENGAGEMENT & COLLABORATION DEPARTMENTS, UCI ACTIVATES PUBLIC SPACES, AMPLIFIES INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS, AND CONNECTS PEOPLE TO ARTS, CULTURE, AND RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.DURING FY25, UCI PRODUCED FOUR MARQUEE PUBLIC FESTIVALS, INCLUDING PARADE THE CIRCLE & CIRCLE VILLAGE, WADE OVAL WEDNESDAYS (WOW), YAY! FALL FUN, AND THE ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING, REACHING AN ESTIMATED 55,000 ATTENDEES. THESE FREE EVENTS ARE DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE VISITATION AND CREATE SHARED EXPERIENCES THAT SUPPORT COMMUNITY VITALITY AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. FY25 MARKED CONTINUED GROWTH IN ATTENDANCE AND PARTNER PARTICIPATION, PARTICULARLY FOR WOW.AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL, FY25 MARKED THE LAUNCH OF NEW COMMUNITY RESPONSIVE PROGRAMS, WITH EACH PROGRAM SERVING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 PARTICIPANTS THROUGH A MULTI-WEEK SERIES. PROGRAMS MAY INCLUDE CREATIVE WRITING, YOGA, NUTRITION, SAFETY, AND ARTS-BASED CLASSES, WITH A FOCUS ON ACCESSIBILITY AND LOW-BARRIER PARTICIPATION. THESE PROGRAMS EXPANDED ACCESS TO DISTRICT RESOURCES WHILE FOSTERING CONNECTIONS AT A LOCAL SCALE.MARKETING & EXPERIENCES AND ENGAGEMENT & COLLABORATION OPERATED AS DISTINCT BUT COORDINATED FUNCTIONS, ALIGNING STRATEGY AND EXECUTION TO MAXIMIZE IMPACT. MARKETING & EXPERIENCES LED DESTINATION PROMOTION, STORYTELLING, AND FESTIVAL PRODUCTION TO AMPLIFY FREE PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND PARTNER-LED ACTIVATIONS, WHILE ENGAGEMENT & COLLABORATION FOCUSED ON RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING AND ACCESS. THIS COORDINATION IS EXEMPLIFIED BY UNIVERSITY CIRCLE'S ANNUAL MLK DAY OBSERVANCE, WHERE MARKETING EFFORTS AMPLIFY A DISTRICT-WIDE CALENDAR OF FREE INSTITUTION EVENTS AND ENGAGEMENT & COLLABORATION OPERATES A FREE SHUTTLE TO PHYSICALLY CONNECT RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ACROSS UNIVERSITY CIRCLE.BOTH DEPARTMENTS ALSO CONVENED AND PARTICIPATED IN AFFINITY GROUP MEETINGS WITH INSTITUTIONAL AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO IDENTIFY SHARED GOALS, REDUCE DUPLICATION, AND EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR COORDINATED PROGRAMMING AND RESOURCE-SHARING. AS PARTICIPATION AND DEMAND INCREASED, UCI NAVIGATED THE OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES OF SCALING FREE PROGRAMS WHILE MAINTAINING ACCESSIBILITY, QUALITY, AND RESPONSIVENESS.FY25 REPRESENTED A YEAR OF STRATEGIC GROWTH AND ALIGNMENT, REFLECTING THE EARLY OUTCOMES OF DEPARTMENTAL RESTRUCTURING UNDERTAKEN IN FY24. THIS WORK POSITIONED UCI TO EXPAND ITS PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND DEEPEN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN FY26, WHILE REINFORCING ITS ROLE AS A PRODUCER, CONNECTOR, AND AMPLIFIER OF ARTS, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY LIFE IN UNIVERSITY CIRCLE.
- $66,924 spent. PARKING - AS THE SECOND LARGEST EMPLOYMENT DISTRICT IN NORTHEASTERN OHIO AND A DESTINATION FOR MILLIONS OF ANNUAL VISITORS, UNIVERSITY CIRCLE INCORPORATED'S PARKING PROGRAM CONTINUES TO SERVE THE PUBLIC AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT PARTNERS. THE PROGRAM IS OPERATED BY A FULL-SERVICE PARKING PROVIDER.
- $1.1 million spent. IN ADDITION TO THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE EXTENDED TO OUR STAKEHOLDERS, THERE IS AN ONGOING NEED TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS BOTH LOCALLY AND WITH A BROADER GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS. EFFORTS CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE LEADERS OF PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE GREATER CIRCLE FOOTPRINT. AS AN UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION, WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR AVENUES THAT SUPPORT OUR PEERS AND ELEVATE THEIR WORK. WE ALSO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT AT BOTH LOCAL, COUNTY, STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS. IT IS CRITICAL THAT ELECTED OFFICIALS UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF THIS DISTRICT AS THEY ARE DETERMINING POLICIES, PROGRAMS, AND FUNDING. TO THAT END, MUCH ENERGY IS PUT INTO ADVOCACY WORK THROUGH THE LEADERSHIP OF THE ORGANIZATION.
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
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 November 6, 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 June 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 August 1958.
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 November 4, 2026.
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