Future Heights
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FutureHeights seeks to inspire and facilitate collaboration and empowerment across our communities to ensure a vibrant and sustainable future for Cleveland Heights and University Heights.
- Income
- $401,408
- Spending
- $375,071
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 2.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 38%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 70
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
Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 28% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 82 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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.
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 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 (3)
- $144,491 spent. Community engagement: Crowdsourced Conversations: The Crowdsourced Conversations program engages residents in grassroots participatory discussions about issues in Cleveland Heights and University Heights. The event turns the typical forum on its head through allowing participants to lead the conversations. At each crowdsourced conversation, participants and local civic leaders walk away better informed and with the tools they need to take action on issues they care about in their communities. Neighborhood Mini-Grants: The FutureHeights Neighborhood Mini-Grant program provides grants of up to $1,000 for resident-led projects that benefit Cleveland Heights and University Heights neighborhoods. The intention of the neighborhood mini-grant program is to offer support to Cleveland Heights and University Heights groups who wish to work together to start or sustain a neighborhood project or initiative. Past projects have included programs that support Cleveland Heights-University Heights students, community gardens, and more. Neighborhood Leadership Workshop Series: The Neighborhood Leadership Workshop Series is a free leadership development program for Cleveland Heights and University Heights residents and stakeholders. Participants develop strengths-based leadership skills and gain knowledge and tools to help make their community cohesive, safe and vibrant. Additionally, they build lifelong relationships through this cohort-model program. Our NLWS Alumni Association connects all program graduates and provides continued community-building opportunities, support systems, and connections that participants may enjoy for many years to come. Heights Observer The Heights Observer community newspaper and website is the embodiment of FutureHeights mission of civic engagement. Launched in 2008, the paper tells the communitys stories from the ground up, through the eyes of volunteer reporters. Every month, 6,000 free print copies are distributed through Cleveland Heights and University Heights neighborhood independent businesses and institutions, while the Heightsobserverorg website provides daily updates of local news and information.
- $139,927 spent. Local Business Support Best of the Heights Launched in 2005, Best of the Heights is an annual competition focused on honoring businesses in a variety of categories and highlighting their contributions to the vitality of Cleveland Heights and University Heights. All nominees must be local, independent merchants. After nominations are complete, the results are tallied and competitors, winners and runners-up are invited to the annual Best of the Heights celebration. First place, second place and third place winners are also provided with stickers to post at their businesses. Heights Music Hop The Heights Music Hop is a free annual music festival that promotes local music, celebrates the diversity of Cleveland Heights and University Heights, and supports local businesses in our commercial districts. Launched in 2013 and now celebrating its 12th year, the festival has evolved into a premier celebration of the communitys diversity and authenticity. The overarching goal of the Heights Music Hop is to hire local artists to provide live music that drives visitor traffic to our local businesses, thereby enhancing the economic vitality of the area.
- $43,983 spent. Housing Revitalization: FutureHomes: FutureHeights recognizes that older homes are an asset to the city of Cleveland Heights. Our homes exhibit a variety of architectural styles and details not commonly found in other communities. These homes represent the times in which they were built and our history; they are a big part of what makes Cleveland Heights unique. Protecting these homes and showcasing their distinctive features is a goal of the FutureHomes program and central to our approach to housing renovations and improvements. Since 2018, the FutureHomes program has renovated and sold to owner-occupants more than 20 individual homes.
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 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 October 13, 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 December 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 July 2002.
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 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.