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Unleashing Potential

EIN 43-0654857 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF UNLEASHING POTENTIAL IS TO CLOSE THE OPPORTUNITY GAP FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH BY BUILDING ON THEIR STRENGTHS. WE CREATE EDUCATIONAL AND EMPOWERING EXPERIENCES THROUGH EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, YOUTH (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)DEVELOPMENT, AND ENRICHMENT CAMPS.

Income
$4.2 million
Spending
$4.6 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 52%
Employees
131
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$191,969, president and ceo

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

Financial health

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (2)
  1. $2.4 million spent. SCHOOL AGE SERVICES:UP SCHOOL AGE SERVICES - WITH A STRONG COMMITMENT TO PERSONAL GROWTH AND ACADEMIC SUCCESS, UP SCHOOL AGE SERVICES PROVIDES BEFORE-SCHOOL AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE-AGED STUDENTS IN UNDER RESOURCED COMMUNITIES IN THE GREATER ST. LOUIS AREA. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE, CULTURAL AWARENESS, AND S.T.E.A.M. ACTIVITIES (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ART EXPRESSION, AND MATH), INCLUDING GEOSPATIAL INTELLIGENCE CONCEPTS. CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE, A RESEARCH-BASED BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION CURRICULUM, IS USED TO DEVELOP SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LIFE SKILLS FOR CHILDREN. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O.2024 OUTCOMES: - 9 SITES IN THE CITY AND COUNTY- 759 CHILDREN SERVED- 95% OF CHILDREN GAINED OR MAINTAINED INDEPENDENT LIVING /ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS -88% OF CHILDREN IDENTIFIED, MANAGED, AND APPROPRIATELY EXPRESSED EMOTIONS AND BEHAVIORS. SUMMER ENRICHMENT CAMPS - UP ENRICHMENT CAMPS OFFER FUN AND ENRICHING ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN EXPERIENTIAL APPROACH TO JOYFUL SUMMER LEARNING FOR YOUTH K-8 GRADES. STRATEGICALLY LOCATED AT PARTNER SITES IN ST. LOUIS CITY AND COUNTY, THE 8-WEEK CAMPS GIVE CHILDREN AGES 5 TO 15 YEARS OLD OPPORTUNITIES FOR DAY CAMP FILLED WITH CAMP ACTIVITIES INCLUDE SWIMMING LESSONS, FITNESS, STUDIO AND PERFORMING ARTS, S.T.E.A.M ACTIVITIES, GEOSPATIAL INTELLIGENCE CONCEPTS, FIELD TRIPS AND SPORTS, ALL WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF PROMOTING HEALTHY SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL GROWTH. 2024 OUTCOMES: - 4 SITES - 194 CHILDREN SERVED- 100% OF CHILDREN GAINED OR MAINTAINED INDEPENDENT LIVING /ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILLS- 88% OF CHILDREN IDENTIFIED, MANAGED, AND APPROPRIATELY EXPRESSED EMOTIONS AND BEHAVIORS.
  2. $1.2 million spent. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: THE LICENSED AND ACCREDITED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER AT CAROLINE MISSION PROVIDES CHILDREN, AGED 6 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS HIGH QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE. THE SERVICES ARE OFFERED ON A SLIDING SCALE AND STATE CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES IN NEED. THIS TWO GENERATIONAL APPROACH INCLUDES SIGNIFICANT PARENT ENGAGEMENT INTERACTIONS TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILD. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O. 2024 OUTCOMES: - 62 CHILDREN SERVED- 100% OF CHILDREN WERE READY FOR KINDERGARTEN. - 82% OF CHILDREN MET OR EXCEEDED AGE-APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES.STRENGTHENING RESILIENT FAMILIES- USES A TWO GENERATIONAL APPROACH SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND OUT OF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS. THE PROGRAM WORKS DIRECTLY WITH FAMILY MEMBERS TO PROVIDE BASIC NEEDS, REFERRALS AND SUPPORT.2024 OUTCOMES:- 431 FAMILIES SERVED- 92% OF FAMILIES INCREASED THIER KNOWLEDGE OF AVAILABLE COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 December 2024.

    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 January 1941.

    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 October 21, 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.