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Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House Inc

EIN 37-0662522 · E Saint Louis, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LESSIE BATES DAVIS NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO MOVE OUT OF POVERTY AND ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND TO HELP ENSURE THAT CHILDREN HAVE THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN SCHOOL AND LIFE.

Income
$7.4 million
Spending
$8.0 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
1.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 80%
Employees
234
Volunteers
178
Highest pay
$118,619, ceo

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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 (12)
  1. $1.5 million spent. THE PROVIDING A SURE START PROGRAM PROVIDES EARLY CHILDHOOD PREVENTION SERVICES FOR PARENTS WITH CHILDREN BIRTH TO FIVE YEARS OF AGE. THIS EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO BETTER PREPARE CHILDREN AND PARENTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL EXPERIENCE. THIS PROGRAM IS HOME AND CENTER BASED AND USES THE PARENTS AS TEACHERS MODEL. STAFF ASSIST PARENTS WITH CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND LIFE SKILLS.
  2. $1.5 million spent. THE AMERICORPS PROGRAM RECRUITS AND TRAINS VOLUNTEERS TO PROVIDE A BROAD SPECTRUM OF SERVICES TO YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN THE GREATER EAST ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY WHICH INCLUDES EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY, TUTORING, COMPUTER TEACH TRAINING, AND OTHER SUPPORTS IN DISTRICT 189 AND THE COMMUNITY. VOLUNTEERS WORK AT 50 DIFFERENT SITES IN THE COMMUNITY INCLUDING THE AGENCY'S TEEN REACH PROGRAM, FOOD PANTRY, AND MEALS ON WHEELS.
  3. $1.3 million spent. THE SEASON CIRCLE CAFE OFFERS PROGRAMS DESIGNED FOR SENIORS WHO WANT TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT IN THEIR OWN HOME. BREAKFAST AND LUNCH ARE SERVED EACH WEEKDAY GIVING SENIORS A NUTRITIOUS MEAL. MEALS ON WHEELS ARE ALSO SERVED FROM THE CAFE, AS WELL AS CALL CHECK-IN PROGRAM AND TRANSPORTATION.
  4. $557,607 spent. DAYCARE - AT RISK INFANT/TODDLER PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A CHILD WITH OPTIMAL SUBSTITUTE PARENTAL CARE IN AN EFFORT TO ENABLE PARENTS TO COMPLETE THEIR EDUCATION OR TRAINING.
  5. $485,985 spent. PRESCHOOL FOR ALL PROVIDES EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AGE 3-4. THE CLASSROOMS SERVE AS A SOUND FOUNDATION IN LEARNING TO BETTER PREPARE CHILDREN FOR KINDERGARTEN.
  6. $386,551 spent. PRE-KINDERGARTEN - AN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR "AT-RISK" PRESCHOOL AGED CHILDREN DESIGNED TO OFFER SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL NEEDS IDENTIFIED THROUGH A DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING PROCESS. CHILDREN WILL RECEIVE SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SCREENINGS TO IDENTIFY SPEECH DELAYS AND ON-GOING ASSESSMENTS THAT WILL BE USED TO MEASURE, ADJUST/IMPROVE, AND REPORT STUDENT PROCESS.
  7. $286,562 spent. TEEN REACH - THE PROGRAM PROVIDES RECREATION, FIELD TRIPS AND AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR AREA CHILDREN AND YOUTH AT LOCAL SCHOOLS.
  8. $276,489 spent. REIMAGINE - THE REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY ACT (RPSA) IS A STATE INITIATIVE AIMED AT REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE BY PROVIDING GRANTS FOR EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR HIGH-RISK YOUTH.
  9. $161,377 spent. YOUTH INVESTMENT PROGRAM - THE ILLINOIS YOUTH INVESTMENT PROGRAM (IYIP) IS A MULTI-FACETED APPROACH TO YOUTH EMPLOYMENT THAT INVESTS IN THE FUTURE OF ILLINOIS' AT-RISK TRANSITION-AGE YOUTH (16-24). THIS APPROACH ACCOUNTS FOR THE YOUTH'S EMPLOYMENT BARRIERS AND THE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL AND MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS WHILE HELPING THE YOUTH SECURE AND SUSTAIN LONG-TERM AND/OR CAREER EMPLOYMENT TO ENSURE THE GREATER LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
  10. $145,962 spent. USDA FOOD - GOVERNMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM PROVIDING MEALS FOR CHILDREN IN THE CHILD CARE PROGRAM AND AT THE TEEN REACH SITES. DEPENDING ON THE PROGRAM, THE PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND A SNACK IN THE CHILDCARE PROGRAM AND LUNCH OR DINNER AND A SNACK AT THE TEEN REACH SITES. ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE.
  11. $91,060 spent. TANF JOB PLACEMENT AND RETENTION SEEKS TO PROVIDE JOB SKILLS TRAINING, JOB PLACEMENT AND JOB RETENTION SERVICES TO PERSONS RECEIVING BENEFITS THROUGH TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES PARTICIPANTS WITH ORIENTATION, EMPLOYABILITY ASSESSMENTS, EMPLOYMENT PLAN DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATIONAL SCREENING, JOB READINESS TRAINING, JOB SKILLS TRAINING, JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE, JOB PLACEMENT AND JOB RETENTION SERVICES.
  12. $7,613 spent. FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER - THE CENTER PROVIDES A VARIETY OF ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT, ARTS & CRAFTS, RECREATION, YOUTH LEADERSHIP AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY. IT ALSO PROVIDES ADMINISTRATION AND COORDINATION OF SERVICES LOCATED IN HOUSING PROJECTS OF THE ST. CLAIR HOUSING AUTHORITY'S BUILDINGS FOR YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING.

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 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 June 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 May 1984.

    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.