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Martin Luther King Jr Center Inc

EIN 36-3100490 · Rock Island, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 33% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE KING CENTER INSPIRES GREATNESS IN THE QUAD CITIES THROUGH COMMUNITY- BUILDING, SERVICE AND EDUCATION. OUR VISION IS A THRIVING BELOVED COMMUNITY ROOTED IN EQUITY, JUSTICE AND RESPECT FOR ONE ANOTHER.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$2.1 million
Spent on programs
33%
Reserves
4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
42
Volunteers
295

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 56% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    33% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $139,294 spent. WEST END REVITALIZATION LAUNCHED ITS INITIAL COMMUNITY CREATED THREE-YEAR PLAN IN MARCH 2024. PRELIMINARY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS; CREATING A FINANCIAL LITERACY COURSE WITH A CREDIT UNION; PLANTING TREES; FACILITATING TWO HIGH SCHOOL CLUBS; CONDUCTING ENERGY ASSESSMENTS ON HOMES AND BUSINESSES, AND BEGINNING REPAIRS AND UPGRADES; AND APPLYING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
  2. $329,938 spent. YOUTH PREVENTION SERVICES: FOUR PREVENTION SPECIALISTS PROVIDE SCHOOL CLASSROOM-BASED EDUCATION TO PREVENT SUBSTANCE USE AND TEEN PREGNANCY IN THE ROCK ISLAND/MILAN SCHOOL DISTRICT. LESSONS EMPHASIZE SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND OTHER LIFE SKILLS FOR 1,809 YOUTH.
  3. $234,968 spent. THE FAMILY ADVOCACY CENTER'S THREE SOCIAL WORKERS GO INTO HOMES, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS THROUGHOUT ROCK ISLAND COUNTY TO MEET WITH PEOPLE IN NEED OF SUPPORT, IN ORDER TO KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER SAFELY. THEY PROVIDE COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, PARENT SUPPORT, AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.
  4. CREATE A POSITIVE COMMUNITY IMAGE BY STRENGTHENING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND NEIGHBORHOODS.
  5. CREATE A POSITIVE COMMUNITY IMAGE BY STRENGTHENING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND NEIGHBORHOODS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1981.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.