Passes our checks

Dubuque Initiatives

EIN 42-1165790 · Dubuque, IA

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

What it says it does

TO ATTRACT INDUSTRY TO THE AREA AND PROVIDE LOCAL RESIDENTS WITH ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 84.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15
Income fell 42% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

Independent board
25 of 25
15 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15
Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8
Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7
Reports no 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.
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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$111,986 spent. THIS PROGRAM SERVICE INCLUDES ATTRACTING INDUSTRY TO THE COMMUNITY AND SERVING THE NEEDS OF LOW AND MODERATE INCOME CITIZENS BY PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM.
$583,630 spent. THIS PROGRAM SERVICE RELATES TO THE PURCHASE AND MANAGEMENT OF REAL ESTATE IN THE DUBUQUE INDUSTRIAL PARK AT 7900 CHAVENNELLE ROAD TO MEET THE NEEDS OF LOW AND MODERATE INCOME DUBUQUE AREA CITIZENS.STUDIES HAVE SHOWN A SERIOUS NEED FOR AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE DAYCARE FOR THE AREA WORKFORCE. PART OF THE REAL ESTATE HAS BEEN SOLD TO DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND PART OF THE PROPERTY HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AS A DAYCARE FACILITY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DUBUQUE COMMUNITY Y (WITH EMPHASIS ON AFFORDABLE WORKFORCE CHILDCARE).
$803,143 spent. THIS PROGRAM SERVICE RELATES TO THE COLLECTION OF MONEY TO INCREASE WAGES OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CAREGIVERS AND TEACHERS. THE PROGRAM, FUNDED BY STATE GRANTS AND LOCAL BUSINESS CONTRIBUTIONS, IS INTENDED TO IMPROVE CHILDCARE WORKFORCE RECRUITMENT AND COMPENSATION BY INCREASING THE AVERAGE STARTING WAGE FOR CHILDCARE WORKERS. THE FUNDS FROM THIS PROGRAM CAN BE USED BY CHILDCARE PROVIDERS TO INCREASE WAGES, AWARD ANNUAL TRAINING BONUSES, AND OFFER $1,000 BONUSES FOR NEW WORKERS TO HELP ENHANCE RECRUITMENT EFFORTS AND EXPAND CAPACITY. THIS PROGRAM IS PART OF A LARGER EFFORT TO ADDRESS CHILDCARE WORKFORCE SHORTAGES BY BOOSTING THE WAGES OF CHILDCARE PROFESSIONALS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 2024.
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 April 1985.
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.

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