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Passes our checks

Cluster Tutoring Program

EIN 36-3835179 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF LEARNING EDGE IS TO STRIVE FOR MORE EQUITY IN EDUCATION BY PROVIDING CHICAGO AREA STUDENTS WHO LIVE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES FREE ONE-TO-ONE TUTORING AND ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT OPPORUNITIES ENHANCED BY CARING MENTORING RELATIONS.

Income
$160,502
Spending
$220,224
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
12.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
3
Volunteers
110

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (employment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 37% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 48% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (employment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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. $220,224 spent. CLUSTER TUTORING DBA LEARNING EDGE TUTORING IS A NONPROFIT COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES FREE ONE-TO-ONE TUTORING TO MORE THAN 100 K THROUGH 12 STUDENTS WHO ARE PRIMARILY FROM THE AUSTIN NEIGHBORHOOD OF CHICAGOS WEST SIDE. THE PROGRAM WAS FOUNDED IN 1990 BY A CLUSTER OF LOCAL CHURCHES AND COMMUNITY GROUPS IN RESPONSE TO THE DISTURBING STATISTIC THAT LESS THAN HALF OF CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL. EACH TUTOR IS MATCHED WITH A STUDENT AND THE TUTOR-STUDENT PAIR WORKS TOGETHER DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR TO PREPARE THE STUDENT FOR A SUCCESSFUL ACADEMIC CAREER. STUDENTS AND TUTORS WORK TOGETHER DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR ON EITHER A MONDAY AFTERNOON FROM 3 PM TO 4 PM. OR A MONDAY TUESDAY OR THURSDAY EVENING FROM 6:30 TO 8:00 P.M. THE PROGRAM HAS A FOCUS ON LITERACY AND OFFERS ALL PARTICIPANTS ACCESS TO A READING SPECIALIS. ALONG WITH SPECIALIZED READING ASSISTANCE TUTORS PROVIDE HOMEWORK HELP AND THE PROGRAM PROVIDES ALL PARTICIPANTS WITH ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES. ACTIVITIES THAT MAY BE OFFERED DURING THE TUTORING SESSION INCLUDE COLLEGE AND CAREER PREPARATION SUPPORT MANAGED BY A STAFF MEMBER EDUCATIONAL GAMES IN MATH AND READING HOMEWORK HELP ACADEMIC MENTORING AND ACTIVITIES THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE IN LEARNING EDGE LIBRARIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending July 31, 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 November 6, 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 July 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 March 1993.

    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 November 4, 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.