Indiana Black Expo Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Indiana Black Expo, Inc. was organized to establish scholarships; develop, implement and support youth programs; and to inform and educate the public as to the economic, educational, political, religious, and social achievements and cultural development of African-Americans.
- Income
- $4.8 million
- Spending
- $5.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- 0 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 71%
- Employees
- 19
- Volunteers
- 209
- Highest pay
- $224,561, ceo/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
Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 33% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1572% 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: 77 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 19 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 (5)
- $1.6 million spent. Summer Celebration: Summer Celebration serves as a conduit for the Indianapolis community, the state of Indiana and the nation at-large. Summer Celebration began in 1970 at the end of the Civil Rights movement as an effort to bring awareness of business opportunities and achievements of African Americans within the Indianapolis community. Since those early days, it has become a fixture for Indianapolis tourism, business, political and academic communities while also serving as a social awareness vehicle for the advancement of African Americans. Summer Celebration provides financial resources for the Organization's youth and family and social responsibility efforts.
- $935,137 spent. CIRCLE CITY CLASSIC: IN 1983, INDIANA BLACK EXPO ORGANIZERS HAD A DESIRE TO CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AMONGST THE NATION'S HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. THAT YEAR, MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE AND GRAMBLING UNIVERSITY CAME TOGETHER DURING THE FIRST EVER CIRCLE CITY CLASSIC. HOWEVER, THE CIRCLE CITY CLASSIC IS NOT JUST A FOOTBALL GAME. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IS THE PRIORITY AND IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, THE ORGANIZATION HOSTS A COLLEGE FAIR FEATURING HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES; COLLEGE PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOPS ARE HOSTED ACROSS THE CITY AND SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED TO AREA STUDENTS. (CONTINUED FROM PART III) THE YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS STRIVE TO SERVE AS A CATALYST THROUGHOUT INDIANA TO ADDRESS (1) EDUCATION, (2) HEALTH AND (3) ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT ISSUES REGARDING YOUTH AND FAMILIES. THESE PROGRAMS FOSTER RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BUSINESSES, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, YOUTH SERVICE AGENCIES, CHURCHES AND OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS. THE PROGRAMS SERVE AS A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR QUALITY CHAPTER PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES THAT ADDRESS ISSUES AFFECTING YOUTH AND FAMILIES STATEWIDE. THE PROGRAMS ALSO ACTIVELY INVOLVE THE ORGANIZATION'S STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS IN PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION TO KEEP THEM ABREAST OF ISSUES AND TRENDS AFFECTING AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAMILIES AND YOUTH. THE YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS PROVIDE YEAR-ROUND EDUCATIONAL YOUTH PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND EVENTS AS WELL AS IMPORTANT HEALTH AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES. THE ORGANIZATION PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ANDREW J. BROWN ACADEMY. THIS CHARTER SCHOOL CURRENTLY SERVES OVER 600 STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE AND HAS ALREADY SEEN SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN STUDENT STATE-WIDE TESTING SCORES. THE ORGANIZATION'S SIGNATURE PROGRAM, THE YOUTH VIDEO INSTITUTE, OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE AFTER-SCHOOL CAREER EXPLORATION AND TECHNOLOGY-ORIENTED TRAINING TO MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
- $682,484 spent. YOUTH PROGRAMS: THE FOCUS OF YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS IS TO STRENGTHEN SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. TO DO THIS EFFECTIVELY, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE ORGANIZATION TO RESEARCH HOW AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE LIVING STATEWIDE. AS INFORMATION IS GATHERED, THE ORGANIZATION TAKES STEPS TO ENSURE PROGRAMS THAT KEEP THE COMMUNITY HEALTHY, WEALTHY AND WISE ARE CONTINUALLY OFFERED. IBE's Youth and Family Programs Department manages or organizes at least 13 programs or activities, including: (1) Education Day (2) The Employment Opportunity Fair (3) State of Our Black Youth Initiative (4) Statewide Education Conference (5) Family Fun/Tech Zone (6) Statewide Youth Leadership Summit (7) Circle City Classic Scholarship Fund (8) Circle City Classic Coronation (9) Circle City Classic Youth Football and Cheerleading Clinic (10) Performing Arts Academy (11) The Minority Business Conference (12) The Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Initiative (13) TAKING YOUR SEAT INITIATIVE (TYSLI). IBE also collaborates on several initiatives, including the INShape Indiana Black & Minority Health Fair, the largest minority health fair in the world, and the Cultural Arts Pavilion. A BUSINESS CONFERENCE IS HELD ANNUALLY, TO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR BLACK ENTREPRENEURS, ORGANIZATIONS AND TALENT TO SHOWCASE THEIR GOODS AND SERVICES. THE CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON PROVIDING MINORITY BUSINESSES WITH THE TOOLS NEEDED TO COMPETE FOR CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES WITH LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL, PRIVATE, AND POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS. ATTENDEES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM EXPERTS ON SUSTAINING AND EXPANDING THEIR BUSINESSES AND NETWORKING WITH KEY DECISION MAKERS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HOSTS EMPLOYMENT FAIRS, WHERE BUSINESSES IN SEARCH OF QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES ARE CONNECTED WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED, UNDER-EMPLOYED OR SIMPLY LOOKING FOR A CHANGE IN WORKPLACES. THE EMPLOYMENT FAIR INCLUDES WORKSHOPS ON RESUME PREPARATION AND INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES. MANY OF THE PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS OFFER ON-THE-SPOT CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE JOB MARKET AND THOSE TRYING TO NAVIGATE IT.
- $588,734 spent. PROGRAMS AT INDIANA BLACK EXPO: INCLUDES ACTIVITIES SUCH AS "WE CAN FEED THE HUNGRY" AT CHRISTMAS, WHICH ANNUALLY SERVES OVER 800 FAMILIES, WITH A FOCUS ON RESIDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSING AGENCIES, ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND REFERRALS FROM VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH GROCERIES TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES A TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY DINNER. A BUSINESS CONFERENCE IS HELD ANNUALLY, TO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR BLACK ENTREPRENEURS, ORGANIZATIONS AND TALENT TO SHOWCASE THEIR GOODS AND SERVICES. THE CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON PROVIDING MINORITY BUSINESSES WITH THE TOOLS NEEDED TO COMPETE FOR CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES WITH LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL, PRIVATE, AND POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS. ATTENDEES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM EXPERTS ON SUSTAINING AND EXPANDING THEIR BUSINESSES AND NETWORKING WITH KEY DECISION MAKERS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HOSTS EMPLOYMENT FAIRS, WHERE BUSINESSES IN SEARCH OF QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES ARE CONNECTED WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED, UNDEREMPLOYED OR SIMPLY LOOKING FOR A CHANGE IN WORKPLACES. THE EMPLOYMENT FAIR INCLUDES WORKSHOPS ON RESUME PREPARATION AND INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES. MANY OF THE PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS OFFER ON-THE-SPOT CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE JOB MARKET AND THOSE TRYING TO NAVIGATE IT. Additionally, IBE supports the Take Your Seat Leadership Institute (TYSLI) initiave that empowers individuals to engage in civic leadership and community advocacy. TYSLI provides free training through interactive sessions and discussions with officials to prepare participants for roles in public office, boards, campaigns, and civic engagement.
- (Expenses $ 588,734 including grants of $)(Revenue $ 41,889) PROGRAMS AT INDIANA BLACK EXPO: INCLUDES ACTIVITIES SUCH AS "WE CAN FEED THE HUNGRY" AT CHRISTMAS, WHICH ANNUALLY SERVES OVER 800 FAMILIES, WITH A FOCUS ON RESIDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSING AGENCIES, ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND REFERRALS FROM VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH GROCERIES TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES A TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY DINNER. A BUSINESS CONFERENCE IS HELD ANNUALLY, TO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR BLACK ENTREPRENEURS, ORGANIZATIONS AND TALENT TO SHOWCASE THEIR GOODS AND SERVICES. THE CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON PROVIDING MINORITY BUSINESSES WITH THE TOOLS NEEDED TO COMPETE FOR CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES WITH LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL, PRIVATE, AND POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS. ATTENDEES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM EXPERTS ON SUSTAINING AND EXPANDING THEIR BUSINESSES AND NETWORKING WITH KEY DECISION MAKERS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HOSTS EMPLOYMENT FAIRS, WHERE BUSINESSES IN SEARCH OF QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES ARE CONNECTED WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED, UNDEREMPLOYED OR SIMPLY LOOKING FOR A CHANGE IN WORKPLACES. THE EMPLOYMENT FAIR INCLUDES WORKSHOPS ON RESUME PREPARATION AND INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES. MANY OF THE PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS OFFER ON-THE-SPOT CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE JOB MARKET AND THOSE TRYING TO NAVIGATE IT. Additionally, IBE supports the Take Your Seat Leadership Institute (TYSLI) initiave that empowers individuals to engage in civic leadership and community advocacy. TYSLI provides free training through interactive sessions and discussions with officials to prepare participants for roles in public office, boards, campaigns, and civic engagement.
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 2024.
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 September 1994.
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.
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