International Soap Box Derby Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE INTERNATIONAL SOAP BOX DERBY IS A NON-PROFIT YOUTH EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS, BRING STEM EDUCATION OUT OF THE CLASSROOM, PROMOTE THE DERBY EXPERIENCE, AND CULTIVATE LIFELONG SKILLS AND CHARACTER. OUR CORE VALUES INCLUDE PERSEVERANCE, SPORTSMANSHIP, COMMUNITY, LEADERSHIP, AND COLLABORATION.
- Income
- $837,407
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 57%
- Reserves
- -0.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 48%
- Employees
- 17
- Volunteers
- 3,300
- Highest pay
- $140,945, president & ceo thru june 2025
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 23 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 30% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 54% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 20% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1557% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 September 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)
- $466,845 spent. FIRSTENERGY ALL-AMERICAN SOAP BOX DERBY RACING PROGRAM:THE FIRSTENERGY ALL-AMERICAN SOAP BOX DERBY (AASBD) IS THE INTERNATIONAL SOAP BOX DERBY'S (ISBD) SIGNATURE ANNUAL EVENT, DRAWING OVER 300 YOUTH CHAMPIONS FROM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AND JAPAN TO AKRON, OHIO. PARTICIPANTS QUALIFY BY COMPETING IN MORE THAN 1,300 SANCTIONED LOCAL AND RALLY RACES HELD ANNUALLY IN NEARLY 90 RACE CITIES WORLDWIDE. RACERS COMPETE IN THREE DIVISIONS: STOCK, SUPER STOCK, AND MASTERS. THE AASBD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RACE TAKES PLACE ON THE HISTORIC DERBY DOWNS TRACK, A WPA-ERA FACILITY MAINTAINED BY THE ORGANIZATION. THIS WEEK-LONG CHAMPIONSHIP PROMOTES YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, STEM LEARNING, INTERNATIONAL GOODWILL, FAMILY BONDING, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
- $127,717 spent. RETAIL STORE OPERATIONS SUPPORTING RACING AND EDUCATIONISBD OPERATES A NATIONAL RETAIL STORE TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS FOR ITS RACING AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. THE STORE OFFERS OFFICIAL SOAP BOX DERBY CAR KITS, PARTS, TOOLS, AND ACCESSORIES FOR PARTICIPATION IN DIVISIONS INCLUDING STOCK, SUPER STOCK, MASTERS, LEGACY, AND THE CORPORATE DERBY CHALLENGE. THESE STANDARDIZED SUPPLIES PROMOTE SAFETY, EQUITY, AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR YOUTH AND EDUCATORS NATIONWIDE.THE STORE ALSO DISTRIBUTES STEM-ALIGNED CLASSROOM KITS AND EDUCATIONAL TOOLS THAT SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S CURRICULUM-BASED PROGRAMS. THESE RESOURCES HELP EXPAND THE REACH OF DERBY-BASED LEARNING IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS. REVENUE GENERATED FROM THE STORE HAS BEEN REINVESTED DIRECTLY INTO ISBD'S RACING, EDUCATION, AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO HELP ENSURE LONG-TERM PROGRAM SUSTAINABILITY AND MISSION DELIVERY.
- $126,636 spent. STEM-BASED EDUCATION PROGRAM:THE INTERNATIONAL SOAP BOX DERBY (ISBD) DELIVERS EXPERIENTIAL STEM EDUCATION FOR K12 STUDENTS THROUGH CLASSROOM PROGRAMS, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, AND HANDS-ON SUMMER LEARNING. STUDENTS APPLY SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH CONCEPTS BY DESIGNING, BUILDING, AND RACING BOTH MINI AND FULL-SIZE SOAP BOX DERBY CARS. THE CURRICULUM ALIGNS WITH NATIONAL EDUCATION STANDARDS AND EMPHASIZES TEAMWORK, CREATIVITY, AND REAL-WORLD PROBLEM-SOLVING.KEY COMPONENTS INCLUDE THE GRAVITY RACING CHALLENGE (GRC) STEM TEAM COMPETITION AND THE STEM SUMMER CAMP, BOTH DESIGNED TO ENGAGE STUDENTS IN HANDS-ON LEARNING AND RACING EXPERIENCES. THE GRC TAKES PLACE IN SCHOOLS, YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, AND AFTER-SCHOOL SETTINGS, ENCOURAGING GROUP COLLABORATION AND INNOVATION THROUGH CAR CONSTRUCTION AND COMPETITION.THE STEM SUMMER CAMP IS A WEEK-LONG IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE HELD AT DERBY DOWNS FOR YOUTH AGES 8 TO 13. CAMPERS RACE FULL-SIZE SOAP BOX DERBY CARS DAILY, PARTICIPATE IN STEM CHALLENGES, AND BUILD, DECORATE, AND RACE THEIR OWN MINI SOAP BOX DERBY CARS, WHICH THEY TAKE HOME AT THE END OF THE PROGRAM. THE CAMP CULMINATES IN A FAMILY DAY CELEBRATION, WHERE PARENTS AND GUESTS ATTEND A MINI CAR AND FULL-SIZE CHAMPIONSHIP RACE TO CHEER ON PARTICIPANTS.ISBD PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS TO SCHOOLS AND NONPROFITS THROUGH GRANTS AND DONATIONS SUPPORTING STEM EDUCATION. THESE PROGRAMS ARE INTENTIONALLY INCLUSIVE, PRIORITIZING ACCESS FOR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. THROUGH THESE INITIATIVES, ISBD FOSTERS EARLY INTEREST IN STEM CAREERS, ENGINEERING CONCEPTS, AND LIFELONG LEARNING BY MAKING SCIENCE FUN AND ENGAGING.
- $14,230 spent. EVENTS AT DERBY DOWNSDERBY DOWNS IS MORE THAN A RACETRACK. IT SERVES AS A COMMUNITY HUB WHERE ISBD HOSTS MISSION-ALIGNED EVENTS THAT PROMOTE INCLUSION, INTERGENERATIONAL EXPERIENCES, AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT. THESE PROGRAMS BRING TOGETHER YOUTH, SENIORS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN UNIQUE WAYS THAT SUPPORT EDUCATION, WELLNESS, AND SOCIAL CONNECTION.EVENTS HELD AT DERBY DOWNS INCLUDE:SENIOR DAY AT DERBY DOWNSTHIS ANNUAL EVENT PROVIDES OLDER ADULTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO RELIVE CHILDHOOD THRILLS BY RIDING DOWN THE DERBY DOWNS TRACK IN SPECIALLY MODIFIED SOAP BOX DERBY CARS. THE DAY INCLUDES WELLNESS RESOURCES, SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THE PROGRAM PROMOTES ACTIVE AGING, COMMUNITY CONNECTION, AND FUN.CORPORATE DERBY CHALLENGETHIS TEAM-BUILDING EVENT INVITES LOCAL BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS, AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS TO BUILD AND RACE ADULT-SIZED SOAP BOX DERBY CARS AT DERBY DOWNS. WHILE THE EVENT WAS NOT HELD IN THE MOST RECENT PROGRAM YEAR, IT IS SCHEDULED TO RETURN IN 2025. THE CORPORATE DERBY CHALLENGE FOSTERS COLLABORATION, FRIENDLY COMPETITION, AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT WHILE SUPPORTING THE MISSION OF ISBD.THESE COMMUNITY-CENTERED EVENTS ALLOW ISBD TO EXPAND ITS REACH BEYOND TRADITIONAL RACE PARTICIPANTS AND FOSTER A DEEPER CONNECTION WITH THE GREATER AKRON REGION. BY OFFERING MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES TO RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES, DERBY DOWNS BECOMES A PLACE WHERE HISTORY, EDUCATION, AND JOY COME TOGETHER.
- $72 spent. YOUTH LEADERSHIP & VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENTISBD CULTIVATES YOUTH LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE THROUGH STRUCTURED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN RACING OPERATIONS, MENTORSHIP, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH. FORMER RACERS AND LOCAL YOUTH SERVE AS RACE ASSISTANTS, CAR INSPECTORS, PIT CREW MEMBERS, AND EVENT COORDINATORS. THESE ROLES PROVIDE VALUABLE EXPERIENCE IN LEADERSHIP, LOGISTICS, AND TEAMWORK. EACH YEAR, ISBD HONORS YOUTH UNDER 21 WHO DEMONSTRATE EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP AT THE LOCAL, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL LEVELS WITH THE PRESIDENT'S YOUTH SERVICE AWARD. TO HONOR EXEMPLARY CONTRIBUTIONS, ISBD ESTABLISHED A HALL OF FAME, WHICH HAS INDUCTED NEARLY 90 INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY ADVANCED THE SPORT THROUGH THEIR LEADERSHIP, MENTORSHIP, INNOVATION, OR PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT. THE ORGANIZATION IS SUSTAINED BY MORE THAN 3,300 DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS ANNUALLY, MANY OF WHOM HAVE SUPPORTED SOAP BOX DERBY EVENTS FOR DECADES. IN SOME FAMILIES, VOLUNTEERING HAS BECOME A PROUD GENERATIONAL TRADITION, WITH MULTIPLE GENERATIONS RETURNING EACH YEAR TO CONTRIBUTE. SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS HAVE GIVEN OVER 60 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE, REFLECTING A DEEP PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO THE MISSION AND COMMUNITY OF THE DERBY. THESE EFFORTS ARE COORDINATED BY A NETWORK OF REGIONAL DIRECTORS WHO ENSURE THE SUCCESSFUL EXECUTION OF HUNDREDS OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL EVENTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 November 2000.
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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