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Fort Wayne Urban League Inc

EIN 35-0869052 · Fort Wayne, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ADVANCE SOCIAL EQUITY AND ECONOMIC SELF-RELIANCE FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS AND OTHERS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

Income
$589,488
Spending
$630,666
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
6
Volunteers
23
Highest pay
$98,654, 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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% 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

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    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 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 (1)
  1. $540,866 spent. SENIOR TEKKIE PROGRAM: DESIGNED TO TEACH SENIORS THE SKILLS NEEDED TO OPERATE CELL PHONES AND TABLETS. THE PROGRAM IS A SIX-WEEK TRAINING PROGRAM AND ALL PARTICIPANTS GRADUATE WITH A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION AND AN AMAZON FIRE TABLET TO TAKE HOME. POWER HOUR TUTORING PROGRAM: STUDENTS GRADES 3 - 12TH GRADE RECEIVE UP TO TWO HOURS OF ONE ON ONE TUTORING PER WEEK. HOMEWORK HELP IS ALSO AVAILABLE EVERYDAY MONDAY - THURSDAY AFTER SCHOOL UNTIL 6 P.M. JUSTICE STEAM CAMP: PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT CLIMATE AND SOIL, PLANT A SUNFLOWER GARDEN, READ THE BOOK THE HATE U GIVE, AND WRITE A SCRIPT OFF OF A RACE CARD SIX-WORD ESSAY "WHY DOES MY HOODIE SCARE YOU?- AND PERFORM THE SKIT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. PARTICIPANTS ALSO WORK WITH A LOCAL ARTIST TO CREATE A 3D ART CHARACTER THAT PUTS ON RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION IN NEIGHBORHOODS. PARTICIPANTS EARN A 100 STIPEND FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECTS. BANNED BOOK CAMPAIGN: JOINED THE FREEDOM TO LEARN CAMPAIGN AND DISTRIBUTED OVER 500 BANNED BOOK TITLES FOR FREE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS. BLOCK CLUB PROJECTS:PROVIDED EIGHT BLOCKS WITH 1,000 EACH TO BEAUTIFY THEIR BLOCK AND CLEAN UP & HELD A TRUNK OR TREAT FOR AREA KIDS TO TRICK OR TREAT ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD. NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR PROGRAM: PROVIDED FUNDING TO HELP THOSE FACING A DISCONNECTION ON THEIR ELECTRIC SERVICE TO AVOID A DISCONNECTION OR TO RESTORE SERVICE. FOOD PANTRY: EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY. FREE ACTING CLASSES: OFFERED TO AREA YOUTH IN COLLABORATION WITH THE FORT WAYNE CIVIC THEATRE. CLASSES TOOK PLACE DURING THE SAME TIME AS THE PRODUCTION OF THE COLOR PURPLE THE MUSICAL. PARTICIPANTS WERE ABLE TO GO SEE THE PLAY FOR FREE. ANNUAL MEET THE CANDIDATES NIGHT: STANDING ROOM ONLY CROWD, A MODERATOR, BOTH RUNNING MAYORS, AND COUNCIL CANDIDATES ANSWERED QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC PRIOR TO ELECTION. THE NIGHT ALLOWED COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO MEET THOSE RUNNING FOR OFFICE, LEARN ABOUT THEIR INITIATIVES, AND TO SHARE CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY. ORGANIZATION HOSTED IT'S SECOND ANNUAL RACE CARD PROJECT; PARTNERING WITH MICHELLE NORRIS, MSNBC JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR, AND TO DATE HAS COLLECTED OVER 500 SIX-WORD ESSAYS FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS DESCRIBING HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT RACE AND IDENTITY. ORGANIZATION KICKED OFF IT'S FIRST ANNUAL EQUALITY FOR ALL SNEAKER BALL RAISING FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE MISSION AND BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE URBAN LEAGUE. SENIOR TEKKIE PROGRAM: DESIGNED TO TEACH SENIORS THE SKILLS NEEDED TO OPERATE CELL PHONES AND TABLETS. THE PROGRAM IS A SIX-WEEK TRAINING PROGRAM AND ALL PARTICIPANTS GRADUATE WITH A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION AND AN AMAZON FIRE TABLET TO TAKE HOME. POWER HOUR TUTORING PROGRAM: STUDENTS GRADES 3 - 12TH GRADE RECEIVE UP TO TWO HOURS OF ONE ON ONE TUTORING PER WEEK. HOMEWORK HELP IS ALSO AVAILABLE EVERYDAY MONDAY - THURSDAY AFTER SCHOOL UNTIL 6 P.M. JUSTICE STEAM CAMP: PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT CLIMATE AND SOIL, PLANT A SUNFLOWER GARDEN, READ THE BOOK THE HATE U GIVE, AND WRITE A SCRIPT OFF OF A RACE CARD SIX-WORD ESSAY "WHY DOES MY HOODIE SCARE YOU?- AND PERFORM THE SKIT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. PARTICIPANTS ALSO WORK WITH A LOCAL ARTIST TO CREATE A 3D ART CHARACTER THAT PUTS ON RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION IN NEIGHBORHOODS. PARTICIPANTS EARN A 100 STIPEND FOR COMPLETION OF PROJECTS. BANNED BOOK CAMPAIGN: JOINED THE FREEDOM TO LEARN CAMPAIGN AND DISTRIBUTED OVER 500 BANNED BOOK TITLES FOR FREE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS. BLOCK CLUB PROJECTS:PROVIDED EIGHT BLOCKS WITH 1,000 EACH TO BEAUTIFY THEIR BLOCK AND CLEAN UP & HELD A TRUNK OR TREAT FOR AREA KIDS TO TRICK OR TREAT ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD. NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR PROGRAM: PROVIDED FUNDING TO HELP THOSE FACING A DISCONNECTION ON THEIR ELECTRIC SERVICE TO AVOID A DISCONNECTION OR TO RESTORE SERVICE. FOOD PANTRY: EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY. FREE ACTING CLASSES: OFFERED TO AREA YOUTH IN COLLABORATION WITH THE FORT WAYNE CIVIC THEATRE. CLASSES TOOK PLACE DURING THE SAME TIME AS THE PRODUCTION OF THE COLOR PURPLE THE MUSICAL. PARTICIPANTS WERE ABLE TO GO SEE THE PLAY FOR FREE. ANNUAL MEET THE CANDIDATES NIGHT: STANDING ROOM ONLY CROWD, A MODERATOR, BOTH RUNNING MAYORS, AND COUNCIL CANDIDATES ANSWERED QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC PRIOR TO ELECTION. THE NIGHT ALLOWED COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO MEET THOSE RUNNING FOR OFFICE, LEARN ABOUT THEIR INITIATIVES, AND TO SHARE CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY. ORGANIZATION HOSTED IT'S SECOND ANNUAL RACE CARD PROJECT; PARTNERING WITH MICHELLE NORRIS, MSNBC JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR, AND TO DATE HAS COLLECTED OVER 500 SIX-WORD ESSAYS FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS DESCRIBING HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT RACE AND IDENTITY. ORGANIZATION KICKED OFF IT'S FIRST ANNUAL EQUALITY FOR ALL SNEAKER BALL RAISING FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE MISSION AND BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE URBAN LEAGUE.

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 October 13, 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 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 December 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 1951.

    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.