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Christian Activity Center

EIN 36-4182760 · E Saint Louis, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SERVE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN EAST ST. LOUIS, ILLINOIS, WITH PROGRAMS THAT PREPARE THEM FOR SUCCESSFUL FUTURES ACADEMICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, PHYSICALLY, AND SPIRITUALLY.

Income
$932,996
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
-0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 91%
Employees
16
Volunteers
27
Highest pay
$88,250, executive director

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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $659,748 spent. OUT-OF-SCHOOL PROGRAM - THE CENTER'S MAIN PROGRAM IS TO GIVE URBAN YOUTH IN EAST ST. LOUIS, ILLINOIS (ONE OF THE POOREST URBAN AREAS IN THE COUNTRY) ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A HEALTHY OUT-OF-SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT. THE CENTER'S PROGRAMMING STRIVES TO BE EDUCATIONAL, ENGAGING AND FUN-- EMCOMPASSING ACADEMIC PROFICIENCY, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, SPIRITUAL ENTRICHMENT, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH. SOME OF THE PROGRAMS OFFERED THROUGH THE CENTER INCLUDE FOREIGN LANGUAGES, STEM, AND FINANCIAL LITERACY. VOLUNTEERS TAUGHT MANDARIN, FRENCH, PORTUGUESE, AND SPANISH THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. STUDENTS IN 4TH-12TH GRADE HAVE CONTINUED LEARNING NEW ASPECTS FO FINANCE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INVESTMENTS IN STOCKS, BONDS, AND REAL ESTATE. FINANCIAL LITERACY IS AN ESSENTIAL PROGRAM WHERE STUDENTS LEARN FINANCIAL CONCEPTS ABOUT MONEY MANAGEMENT, HOME OWNERSHIP, AND CREDIT. THROUGH SPONSORSHIP WITH A LOCAL CREDIT UNION, STUDENTS ARE ASSISTED WITH OPENING SAVINGS ACCOUNTS, MAKING DIRECT DEPOSITS IN THOSE ACCOUNTS TO INCREASE EARNED INTEREST, AND MAINTAINING THEIR SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THEIR MEDIA SKILLS AND CAN BE INVOLVED IN A MINI NURSING ACADEMY.
  2. $86,511 spent. BACK-TO-SCHOOL AND CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS - SCHOOL SUPPLIES, CLOTHING, AND GIFTS FOR CHILDREN FROM TODDLERS TO TEENAGERS INVOLVED IN THE CAC PROGRAMS WERE GIVEN BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND CHRISTMAS FOR URBAN CHILDREN WHO WOULD NOT RECEIVE OTHER SUPPORT. BACKPACKS FULL OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES, NEW SOCKS AND UNDERWEAR, AND SCHOOL UNIFORMS WERE PROVIDED FOR MORE THAN 250 CHILDREN TO KICK OFF THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR. OVER 300 YOUTH WERE ADOPTED FOR CHRISTMAS. THROUGH DONATIONS, DURING THE ENTIRE YEAR, THE CENTER ALSO PROVIDED FOOD BASKETS AND OTHER CARE PACKAGES TO FAMILIES IN NEED.
  3. $1,309 spent. SUMMER CAMP/ MISSION TRIPS- CAMP AND MISSION TRIPS SPONSORSHIPS AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS FOR 100+ TEENAGERS INVOLVED IN THE CHRISTIAN ACTIVITY CENTER. THE YOUNGER CHILDREN ENJOY FUN IN THE SUN, WITH TRIPS TO THE WATERPARK, BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS, ARTS AND CRAFTS, GARDENING AND A COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY.

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 January 1998.

    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.