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Iowa Jag Inc

EIN 42-1492988 · Des Moines, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

IJAG ENSURES A FUTURE IOWA WHERE YOUTH ARE RESILIENT AND WELL-PREPARED WITH SKILLS, PURPOSE, AND OPPORTUNITIES. THROUGH COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS AND INNOVATIVE APPROACHES, WE BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT TO BUILD STRONG COMMUNITIES AND UNLOCK THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY STUDENT, NO MATTER WHAT.

Income
$17.2 million
Spending
$17.5 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
5.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 79%
Employees
243
Volunteers
1,500
Highest pay
$259,078, president/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

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 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 28% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    29 of 31 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 (1)
  1. $15.7 million spent. IOWA JOBS FOR AMERICA'S GRADUATES (IJAG) IS A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THAT ENERGIZES LOCAL ECONOMIES AND CONTRIBUTES TO THRIVING COMMUNITIES. WE ARE THE BRIDGE BETWEEN PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THE WORLD-OF-WORK, OFFERING PROGRAMMING THAT COMPLEMENTS MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMICS BY PREPARING STUDENTS TO LOOK PAST GRADUATION, TOWARD A CAREER THAT OFFERS FULFILLING WORK AND FINANCIAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY. AS PART OF OUR AMBITIOUS GROWTH PLAN, WE HAVE EXPANDED OUR PROGRAMS INTO COLLEGE, AFTER-SCHOOL, AND ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION SETTINGS TO ENSURE WE ARE SERVING STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE. THIS STRATEGIC EXPANSION HAS RESULTED IN A CONSIDERABLE YEAR-OVER-YEAR INCREASE IN EXPENSES.IJAG OFFERS A CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE DESIGNED TO EMPOWER STUDENTS IN OVERCOMING PERSONAL BARRIERS AND DEVELOPING ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS. EACH INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM IS HOUSED WITHIN PARTNERING SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE AND IS DELIVERED BY A DEDICATED FULL-TIME IJAG CAREER & EDUCATION SPECIALIST DURING THE REGULAR SCHOOL DAY, FOR ACADEMIC CREDIT. MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO MASTERING CORE COMPETENCIES AND NETWORKING WITH BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TO BUILD AN UNDERSTANDING OF EXPECTATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WORKPLACE. IJAG STUDENTS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITIES THROUGH IMPACTFUL SERVICE PROJECTS, COLLABORATE WITH CIVIC LEADERS WHILE ADVOCATING FOR THEIR PROGRAMS, AND ENGAGE WITH EMPLOYERS AS THEY EXPLORE AND PREPARE FOR THEIR FUTURE CAREERS. STUDENTS DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND DESIGN A PLAN FOR CONTINUAL GROWTH AND IMPROVEMENT.AS STUDENTS LEARN THESE SKILLS, DATA SHOWS ATTENDANCE AND ACHIEVEMENT INCREASES, GRADUATION RATES CLIMB, AND THEY SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE IN CAREERS, MILITARY SERVICE OR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. IJAG STAYS CONNECTED TO STUDENTS FOR 12 MONTHS AFTER THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL.IJAG ACHIEVES COLLECTIVE CHANGE BY ESTABLISHING COMMUNITY, BUILDING WORKFORCE AND LIFE SKILLS, AND DELIVERING REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES THAT LEAD TO STUDENTS BELONGING, GROWTH, AND READINESS.IJAG DEPENDS ON FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS FROM PRIVATE BUSINESSES, AGENCIES, AND STATE GOVERNMENT TO SUSTAIN EFFORTS AND EXPAND PROGRAMS.

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 December 1999.

    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.

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