Humans of St Louis
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Humans of St. Louis is a non-profit with the mission of sharing photographic portraits and first-person stories to highlight local needs, issues, and experiences from people in the St. Louis region.
- Income
- $101,837
- Spending
- $103,143
- Reserves
- 7.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 49%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 2
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
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 16% on the year before.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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.
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)
- COLLABORATIONS: The majority of our teams time and effort is spent collaborating with other companies who approach Humans of St. Louis for storytelling services. In exchange for payment, we partner to produce original creative content specific to a particular theme such as health, equity, neighborhood, or the arts. In the past, weve done interviews and photographs in our signature style for BJC CAREERS, Forward Through Ferguson, St. Louis Housing Authority, and STL Made. Content posts to our social media following of 165,000 viewers on Facebook and Instagram.
- PRESENTATIONS: Our storytellers give presentations and do panel talks at schools and businesses about the art of storytelling at the intersection of social work and public health. They teach how to ask deeper questions, invite people to tell their stories, conduct interviews, photograph strangers, edit content, post to socials, moderate comments, and market their work. They talk about how Humans of St. Louis began as an art project and morphed into a nonprofit with a team of up to 15 contributors. This year we presented to WashU Med School, SSM Health, MICDS, and Special School District of St. Louis County.
- EXHIBITIONS BOOK SALES: In order to promote a longer life span and play time for the creative content, we also print and frame our photostories to enhance community spaces with gallery shows of our work. Weve displayed exhibits at universities, high schools, libraries, churches, art galleries, the airport, and peoples homes. This year, we had shows on display at WashU, SLU, St. Peters UCC Resource Center, and Webster Arts. We also sell our book from our second print run at various stores and events, like markets and presentations, and in bulk to businesses and educational institutions.
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 October 2016.
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.