Project Education Plus
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Project Education Plus (PEP)'s mission is to enlighten and mentor youth by providing academic, arts, technology, mentoring, and athletic programs that support positive development and promote successful, self-sufficient lives. PEP also serves disadvantaged families, children, and senior citizens in Chicago through educational, recreational, and community-based programming.
- Income
- $175,902
- Spending
- $233,017
- Spent on programs
- 57%
- Reserves
- -7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 62%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 40
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
Weak: 8 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 570% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 32% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 65% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1557% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (4)
- $96,150 spent. The Athletic Program provides organized basketball and baseball programming for youth in grades 1-12. Activities include team practices, competitive games, tournaments, camps, and clinics combined with mentoring and character development. The program emphasizes teamwork, discipline, sportsmanship, and positive youth development while reinforcing academic success and anti-violence principles. Program expenses primarily support coaching stipends, facility and field usage, athletic equipment, uniforms, travel, and other direct program costs.
- $34,245 spent. The Academic Program provides educational support services for students in grades 1-12, including STEM instruction, literacy development, arts enrichment, tutoring, and mentoring. Programming is offered during after-school and summer periods to address learning gaps and support academic achievement. The program also includes mentoring focused on college and career readiness, positive decision-making, and reducing barriers to youth success, with an emphasis on serving low-income and at-risk students.
- $1,245 spent. The Senior Program provides social, recreational, educational, and technical activities for low-income and fixed-income seniors and older adults in the community. Services include cultural and educational outings, life-skills seminars, wellness and safety programming, and opportunities for social engagement. Program expenses primarily include program supplies, transportation, event costs, instructional materials, and other direct expenses that support senior services.
- $2,116 spent. Advertising and marketing expenses supporting the Athletic Program, including outreach, promotion, and participant recruitment.
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
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 June 2025.
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 June 1983.
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.
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.