America Scores Chicago
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- 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
To empower students in urban communities using soccer, writing, creative expression and service-learning while inspiring the youth to lead healthy lifestyles, be engaged students, and become agents of change in their communities.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $1.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- -1.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 65%
- Employees
- 20
- Volunteers
- 35
- Highest pay
- $82,581, frmr exec dir
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: 38 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 113% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $850,528 spent. 1) K - 2: Junior SCORES - The Junior SCORES program is designed to meet the physical and academic development needs of poet-athletes grades K - 2. Junior SCORES takes place twice a week from January to March; each program day has a writing practice and a soccer practice.2) 3 - 5: Core Programs - The Core Program is designed to meet the physical, social, and academic development needs of elementary poet-athletes grades 3-5. Core Programming takes place five days a week. There are two days of writing practice, two days of soccer practice, and one Friday Game Day per week during the season.3) 6 - 8: Middle Programs - The Middle School Program is designed to meet the physical, social, and academic development needs of poet-athletes grades 6 -8. Middle Programming takes place three days a week. There is one day of writing practice, one day of soccer practice, and one Friday Game Day per week during the season.4) Passport to High School Success - The Passport to High School Success program gives students a framework to explore their talents, interests, and the careers which intersect the two; helps them understand the educational options and expectations those aspirations entail; and provides the tools and support to start squarely on the path to achieving those goals.5) Summer Camps - The summer camp program is open to both poet-athletes and thosejoining from partnering school sites. The Organization offers summer camp for grades K through 8. This programs goal is to keep youth active even when main programming at school sites ends for the season. Summer camp combines a low camper to coach ratio and inter-grade and grade specific activities to create an environment of enriching social and sport engagement.6) Program Events - Comprises of various events including a poetry slam, jamboree and fall frenzy, all of which further the mission of the Organization.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2012.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.