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Urban Ventures Leadership Foundation

EIN 36-3558710 · Minneapolis, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

URBAN VENTURES LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION ENVISIONS A CITY WITHOUT POVERTY BY EDUCATING KIDS, STRENGTHENING THEIR FAMILIES, AND BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES.

Income
$6.9 million
Spending
$8.1 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
17 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
130
Volunteers
236
Highest pay
$188,121, president and ceo (thru 03/2025)

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: 75 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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 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)
  1. $2.3 million spent. ACADEMIC FOUNDATIONS - ACADEMIC FOUNDATIONS FOCUSES ON BUILDING A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR EARLY ACADEMIC SUCCESS. THROUGH ME AND MY BABY, 616 MOTHERS RECEIVED PRENATAL EDUCATION AND PARENTING SUPPORT, EQUIPPING THEM TO PROMOTE THEIR CHILDREN'S HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT. AT THE CORNWELL EARLY LEARNING CENTER, 91 STUDENTS WERE ASSESSED FOR DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES, ENSURING THAT ALL GRADUATES WERE PREPARED TO SUCCEED IN KINDERGARTEN. SUMMER VENTURES OFFERED ACADEMIC SUPPORT TO PREVENT LEARNING LOSS DURING SCHOOL BREAKS, KEEPING 81 STUDENTS ON TRACK FOR SUCCESS. READING PLUS PROVIDED INTENSIVE LITERACY INTERVENTION FOR 133 CHILDREN, HELPING THEM ACHIEVE THREE MONTHS OF LITERACY PROGRESS FOR EVERY ONE MONTH IN THE PROGRAM. THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THESE PROGRAMS IS TO ENSURE EVERY CHILD HAS THE TOOLS TO SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY AND THRIVE IN FUTURE EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS.
  2. $2.0 million spent. LIFE & CAREER SKILLS - LIFE AND CAREER SKILLS PREPARES MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR CONTINUED EDUCATION AND CAREER SUCCESS WHILE FOSTERING CONFIDENCE AND LEADERSHIP. THROUGH THE COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER, 263 STUDENTS FROM AT LEAST SIX LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS EXPLORED POST-SECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES AND RECEIVED ASSISTANCE WITH TASKS LIKE FAFSA APPLICATIONS AND JOB INTERVIEW PREPARATION. YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAMS SUPPORTED 340 STUDENTS ON CAMPUS AND AT MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS PARTNER SITES, PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS ENGAGED 522 STUDENTS THROUGH GUITAR AND PIANO LESSONS, ARTIST DEVELOPMENT, AND MUSIC EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES. ACT SIX OFFERED 61 COLLEGE STUDENTS LEADERSHIP TRAINING, ACADEMIC GUIDANCE, AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AS THEY NAVIGATED HIGHER EDUCATION. LAKE STREET WORKS PREPARED 60 STUDENTS FOR CAREERS IN VOCATIONAL TRADES THROUGH A 10-MONTH TRAINING PROGRAM. TOGETHER, THESE PROGRAMS AIM TO INSTILL YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE SKILLS, EDUCATION, AND CONFIDENCE NEEDED FOR LONG-TERM PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS.
  3. $1.1 million spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH - COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAMS PROMOTE WELL-BEING, REDUCE HARM, AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEIGHBORS TO CONNECT. WELLNESS AND ATHLETICS ENGAGED 1,124 PARTICIPANTS IN ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FITNESS CLASSES, OPEN GYMS, SPORTS CLINICS, AND TEAM SPORTS. SIEMPRE PADRES (FOREVER PARENTS), A SPANISH-LANGUAGE PARENTING PROGRAM, HELPED 582 PARENTS DEVELOP PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS WHILE BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THE PATHWAY PROGRAM WORKED WITH 107 INDIVIDUALS REFERRED THROUGH THE MINNEAPOLIS JUSTICE SYSTEM, PROVIDING TRAUMA-INFORMED VIOLENCE PREVENTION SUPPORT TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM AND INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYMENT. URBAN VENTURES ALSO SUPPORTED 21 LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES BY PROVIDING CONSULTATIONS TO IMPROVE THEIR GROWTH. AT URBAN VENTURES' URBAN FARM, 1,281 PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOCUSED ON NUTRITION AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, WHILE APPROXIMATELY 1,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS RECEIVED FRESH, LOCALLY-GROWN PRODUCE FOR FREE THROUGH THE FARM STAND. THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THESE PROGRAMS IS TO FOSTER A HEALTHIER, SAFER, AND MORE CONNECTED COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION, PREVENTION, AND OPPORTUNITY.
  4. $863,802 spent. PROGRAM SERVICES SUPPORTS ALL UV PROGRAMS THROUGH COMMUNITY OUTREACH IN ADDITION TO WORKING WITH VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

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 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 June 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 1989.

    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.