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Passes our checks

Show Me Opportunity

EIN 35-2472225 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH SHOWING HOW TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL RESIDENTS OF MISSOURI AS THE SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION OF THE SHOW-ME INSTITUTE, A 501(C)(3) RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION.

Income
$802,926
Spending
$754,275
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
10.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
4
Volunteers
3
Highest pay
$283,770, secretary

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 74% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.3 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 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    2 of 3 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. $378,509 spent. CREATE AND DISSEMINATE TO THE PUBLIC, THROUGH PRINTED AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA, NEWSLETTERS, INFOGRAPHICS, AND OTHER MATERIALS REGARDING PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES IDENTIFIED AND DEVELOPED BY THE SHOW-ME INSTITUTE, A 501(C)(3) RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION.
  2. $164,281 spent. DESIGNED AND IMPLEMENTED EDUCATIONAL RADIO COMMERCIALS AND ONLINE VIDEOS CONCERNING PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES RESEARCHED BY THE SHOW-ME INSTITUTE, A 501(C)(3) RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION.
  3. $143,957 spent. ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY OUTREACH REGARDING PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES IDENTIFIED AND DEVELOPED BY THE SHOW-ME INSTITUTE, A 501(C)(3) RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION USING COMMUNICATION TOOLS SUCH AS EVENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND PODCASTS.

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 July 2014.

    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.