Ludacris Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
"Helping youth help themselves" the Ludacris Foundation inspires youth through education and memorable experiences to live their dreams. Our efforts uplift youth, families, communities, and foster economic development. The Ludacris Foundation activities are focused in three key areas: leadership and education, healthy lifestyles, and Ludacares (letting youth and the community know we care).
- Income
- $572,683
- Spending
- $325,079
- Spent on programs
- 73%
- Reserves
- 8.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 125
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 8.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 142% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1573% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 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 (3)
- $102,578 spent. Leadership and education pillar programs: Challenges youth to create a roadmap for their success by setting goals and taking specific actions toward meeting their goals to become great leaders and learn about the benefits of education to be successful: this program is designed to provide hands on and interactive experiences to improve leadership and decision-making skills. Key leadership, education experiences, andAccomplishments are: 1. Reached 10,000 plus students with a message of the role of education in achieving their dreams. Venues for delivering training and education include, celebrity panels, school visits, rap sessions in group homes and recreation centers. 2. Red carpet kids: reached over 500 youth. Working with major movie studios, sports and entertainment facilities, urban schools' principals, and teachers we provide red carpet experiences to youth. These a reward experiences and incentivize for successful school learning behaviors, for example exemplary school attendance, good grades, and conduct. The experiences also build self-esteem and confidence. The foundation's targeted schools are nationally recognized and targeted failing schools in Fulton and Clayton County. One the schools we work with has a 42% graduation rate. 3.developed and distributed via school and radio broadcast public service announcements to encourage and prepare students to meet or exceed state/national test scores in reading, English/language arts, mathematics, and science. 4 our back 2 school events. The event provides under-served youth with vision and dental checkups, haircuts, clothing, and school supplies. The purpose of this program is to raise self-esteem, prepare youth for a successful educational experience and "a great 1st day". This event has changed the lives of over 5,000 youth. Ludacris speakers to the youth each year to promote daily school attendance and the importance of education.
- $68,490 spent. Healthy lifestyles pillar programs: Is designed to guide and influence healthy eating and being physically active to improve the health of youth and the health of the planet. This program addresses issues such as nutritional health, physical activity, and childhood obesity. It also provides hands on learning experiences and encourages students to make small changes to improve health. Key healthy lifestyles experiences and accomplishments are: Healthy eating program: youth workshops with professional chefs to create foods that are healthy while learning more aboutFood preparation, healthy choices, and kitchen safety. Youth participate in a rap session at the end of each event to discuss everyday challenges and choices they face in making the right food choices. Over 500 youth have participated in this program which includes the following: a teaching garden- partnering with Carrie Steele Pitts Childrens home and habitat to plant, grow and harvest food there by creating sustainable agriculture in urban communities. The goal of the program is to provide organic food source to the school co-located on the children's home property. Make a splash: a partnership with USA swim foundation and DeKalb aquatics to teach a life skill, swim lessons. Drowning is the 2# reason for deaths in youth under 14 the cure to the epidemic, swim lessons. 75 youth participated in our swim program and thousands more were reach with our national social media awareness champaign. Talk about it text about it: HIV and runaway awareness and prevention programs in collaboration with the center for disease control, CDC, nelson Mandela, bono, and 1-800-runaway. Our messages build awareness and educate youth for prevention delivered via twitter, PSAs, and print ads. The messages reach millions.Planet green initiatives: Ludacris as a spokesperson shares "green tips" to educate youth on living environmentally friendly. We engage youth in earth day activities through educational events and by planting rain gardens.Rising star golf initiative was birthed during covid 19. To add more outdoor activities to youth this initiative creates experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience. We engage with youth 5-17 I our effort include: sponsorship to utopian academy's golf program, drive, putt chip event hosted youth in fun and competitive day; creating and providing developmental opportunities to a youth golf cohort group of young talented youth. 150 youth participation Project cradles care serving pregnant and parenting families particular in high-risk areas this initiative launches in the Chicago area. The initiative provides, information, support and tangibles resources to families and mom. Families served 50.
- $29,147 spent. Ludacares pillar programs:Are opportunities during the year where the Ludacris foundation reaches out to under-served youth and communities to show that we care. Whether it's during the holidays, a special hospital visit, or responding to a local or national disaster, we are in the community with a hands-on approach. Ludacares is a Global program. Coats in the community: an annual event to provide coats to youth who would otherwise no haul fall/winter event giving coats and gloves to youth who would otherwise do without. When it gets extremely cool many youths are missing school because they do not have a warm coat. We work with school counsel's and Atlanta boys and girls' centers of hope to identify youth in need. 2. Give thanks. Give back.: an annual thanksgiving.Event held to provide thanksgiving dinners, food baskets, and drinks to those less fortunate. Annually we average over 500 food baskets to the community. 3. USO performances: special performances for service men around the world to show appreciation and build morale. 4. Make-a-wish foundation: this partnership allows us to work with the make-a-wish foundation to make wishesCome true for youth. 5.ludacrismas: an annual Christmas event to share the spirit of Christmas with those in need. At this holiday celebration, children receive toys, take a picture with Santa, attend craft workshops, and have a healthy lunch. LudacrismasEvents have been held in New York, Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2002.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.