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Center for Leadership Development Inc

EIN 35-1389882 · Indianapolis, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IS TO FOSTER THE ADVANCEMENT OF MINORITY YOUTH AS FUTURE PROFESSIONAL, BUSINESS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS BY PROVIDING EXPERIENCES THAT ENCOURAGE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT.

Income
$4.6 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
53%
Reserves
29.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
46
Volunteers
158
Highest pay
$294,456, 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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 29.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    53% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    29 of 30 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (3)
  1. THE CENTER EXPOSES YOUTH TO TWENTY-ONE CURRICULUM-BASED PROGRAMS AND EXPERIENCES WHICH TEACH AND NURTURE THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE CENTER'S FIVE TOUCHSTONE VALUES: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE, LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVENESS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND CAREER ACHIEVEMENT. THE RESULT IS HUNDREDS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN AND MINORITY YOUTH WHO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL, ATTEND AND GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE, EXCEL IN THEIR CAREERS, AND RETURN VALUE TO THEIR COMMUNITY AS CIVIC LEADERS AND VOLUNTEERS.
  2. $237,786 spent. COLLEGE PREP INSTITUTE IS A COLLEGE READINESS RESOURCE CENTER SERVING MINORITY YOUTH AND FAMILIES WITH EXPERT GUIDANCE FROM LICENSED GUIDANCE COUNSELORS, READING, MATH, AND CAREER ASSESSMENTS, EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE OFFERED IN A 30 COMPUTER LEARNING LAB, COLLEGE SEARCHES, FINANCIAL AID, LITERACY WORKSHOPS, AND REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES, ALL FREE OF CHARGE.
  3. $1.7 million spent. COLLEGE PREP CONFERENCE AND COLLEGE FAIR: A STATEWIDE ANNUAL EVENT FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS, OFFERING VITAL INFORMATION ADVANCING COLLEGE ADMISSION, PERSISTENCE, AND GRADUATION. THE CONFERENCE INCLUDES A KEYNOTE SPEAKER, BREAKOUT SESSIONS, AND PANELS WITH UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVES AND OTHER EXPERTS EXPLORING THE PATH TO COLLEGE AND BEYOND. AFTER THE CONFERENCE, PARTICIPANTS CAN VISIT EXHIBIT BOOTHS HOSTED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM PARTICIPATING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

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 2024.

    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 March 1977.

    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.