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Cleveland Police Athletic League

EIN 34-1002813 · Cleveland, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak27 out of 100GovernanceFair61 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND FUN ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN DURING EDUCATIONAL RECREATIONAL AND ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES. TO FOSTER POSITIVE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND YOUTH.

Income
$349,678
Spending
$388,283
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
-0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 91%
Employees
28
Highest pay
$38,640, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 27 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 135% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    60% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 14 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 May 31, 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)
  1. $213,388 spent. ATHLETIC PROGRAMS: CLE PAL PROVIDED OVER 3,000 YOUTH (BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS) WITH ATHLETIC PROGRAMS THROUGH THROUGH THE CITY OF CLEVELAND RECREATION CENTERS, INCLUDING SUCH SPORTS AS BASKETBALL, CHEERLEADING, FOOTBALL, BOXING AND OTHERS. THESE PROGRAMS WER PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE AND ALL EQUIPMENT, UNFORMS, TRANSPORTATION, ASSOCIATED FEES, VOLUNTEER COACHES AND STAFF WERE PROVIDED BY CLE PAL THOROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEAR.
  2. RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS: CLE PAL PROVIDED OVER 900 YOUTH WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN MANY DIFFERENT RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS INCLUDING FIELD TRIPS TO PROFESSIONAL SPORTS, THEATRICAL, CINEMATIC AND EDUCATION EVENTS. CLE PAL PROVIDED THESE ACTIVITIES FREE OF CHARGE TO YOUTH IN THE NORTHEAST OHIO COMMUNITY. ALL ASSOCIATED COSTS, INCLUDING ENTRANCE FEES, FOOD, BEVERAGE, AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS WERE PAID BY THE CLE PAL FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PARTICIPANTS.
  3. LEADERSHIP MENTORING PROGRAM: CLE PAL PROVIDED OVER 200 YOUTH WITH A LEADERSHIP AND MENTORING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE YEAR. YOUNG ADULTS WERE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS AND LEARNING SESSIONS TO IMPROVE INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS, AS WELL AS PARTICIPATE IN SEVERAL COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENTS. ALL FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROGRAM INCULDING FEES, TRAVEL, LODGING, FOOD, BEVERAGE, APPAREL, STAFFING AND INCIDENTAL COSTS WERE PROVIDED BY CLE PAL.
  4. $20,493 spent. LEADERSHIP MENTORING PROGRAM: CLE PAL PROVIDED OVER 200 YOUTH WITH A LEADERSHIP AND MENTORING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE YEAR. YOUNG ADULTS WERE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS AND LEARNING SESSIONS TO IMPROVE INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS, AS WELL AS PARTICIPATE IN SEVERAL COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENTS. ALL FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROGRAM INCULDINIG FEES, TRAVE, LODGING, FOOD, BEVERAGE, APPAREL, STAFFING AND INCIDENTAL COSTS WERE PROVIDED BY CLE PAL.
  5. LEADERSHIP MENTORING PROGRAM: CLE PAL PROVIDED OVER 200 YOUTH WITH A LEADERSHIP AND MENTORING OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE YEAR. YOUNG ADULTS WERE GIVEN OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS AND LEARNING SESSIONS TO IMPROVE INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS, AS WELL AS PARTICIPATE IN SEVERAL COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENTS. ALL FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROGRAM INCULDINIG FEES, TRAVE, LODGING, FOOD, BEVERAGE, APPAREL, STAFFING AND INCIDENTAL COSTS WERE PROVIDED BY CLE PAL.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on October 15, 2010 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on April 15, 2012.

    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 May 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 2012.

    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.