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Passes our checks

College Mentors for Kids Inc

EIN 35-2002052 · Indianapolis, IN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

COLLEGE MENTORS FOR KIDS CONNECTS KIDS TO COLLEGE STUDENTS THROUGH WEEKLY ON-CAMPUS ACTIVITIES THAT INSPIRE GROWTH, CONFIDENCE, AND BRIGHTER FUTURES. THE ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHES CHAPTERS AT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES THAT FACILITATE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN COLLEGE STUDENTS AND KIDS IN 1ST - 6TH GRADE. DURING THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR, COLLEGE MENTORS SERVED MORE THAN 1,800 KIDS THROUGH MORE THAN 2,300 COLLEGE STUDENT VOLUNTEERS.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
6.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
16
Volunteers
2,300
Highest pay
$138,753, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 June 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 (1)
  1. $1.4 million spent. ALL PROGRAM EXPENSES RELATE TO THE ORGANIZATION, MANAGEMENT, AND FACILITATION OF THE MENTOR PROGRAM WHICH MATCHES 1ST THROUGH 6TH GRADERS WITH COLLEGE STUDENT MENTORS FOR WEEKLY AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES. AFTER SPENDING TIME WITH THEIR MENTORS, KIDS LEARNED PROBLEM-SOLVING AND RELATIONAL SKILLS, SAW THEMSELVES IN A MORE POSITIVE WAY, AND LEARNED ABOUT CAREERS THEY CAN HAVE IN THE FUTURE. COLLEGE STUDENTS LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING BACK AND GAIN VALUABLE LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 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 February 1997.

    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.