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Join Hands Esl Inc

EIN 43-1607996 · E Saint Louis, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceFair54 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SERVING UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN EAST ST. LOUIS, ILLINOIS

Income
$93,827
Spending
$130,654
Spent on programs
58%
Reserves
4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
11
Volunteers
5

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

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 85% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    58% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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.

  • 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 (9)
  1. $1,827 spent. Education Program: This program provides education advocacy services for all children and teens in the Dream Path and when possible scholarships to attend private school through the Alternative Education Program. There are currently 11 children in private education at schools including Sr. Thea Bowman Catholic School in East St. Louis, Althoff High School in Belleville, and Unity Lutheran School in East St. Louis.
  2. $15,820 spent. The Family Mentoring Program: This program focuses on relationships, providing a pathway out of poverty for families through support, mentoring programs and education advocacy. Mentors and staff journey with children and families helping them navigate the many barriers to academic success that exist for children growing up in intergenerational poverty. It includes family mentoring, Teen Mentoring, and Education Advocacy.
  3. $9,469 spent. Youth Programming: Through this program, Join Hands builds relationships, increases self esteem, and broadens the horizons of children 8-12 in two public housing projects in East St. Louis. Through the Girls Clubs and Boys Clubs and other youth classes and programs, we provide recreational, educational, and athletic opportunities to approximately 80 children, with a current volunteer to child ratio of 1:3 for activities and outings. This program helps to encourage young people to stay on the right track, do the right thing and focus on education. Volunteers act as role models and big brothers and big sisters, reflecting the beauty and worth of each child.
  4. $30,230 spent. The Ubuntu Center for Peace: The Ubuntu Center is a place of peace, love, and hospitality. The center provides morning coffee and food to those in need. As volunteer power allows, the center offers mornings of reflection, yoga and meditation, and hopes in the near future to support efforts toward justice with our Ubuntu Movement. The Center has a peace chapel that is open to whoever has a need for some quiet space. The Ubuntu Center is an oasis in the midst of an often violent area. It is now home to all Join Hands programs, a resource for our families and children, and those in the neighborhood, as well as home to the programs administrative offices.
  5. $17,796 spent. Teen Mentoring Program:Our Dream Path Teen Mentoring Program journeys with teenagers from our Family Mentoring fanilies, Teens who have aged out of our Girls, and Boys Clubs, and teen workers from Griffin Center After School Program in the local housing projects, helping them navigate the many, many barriers that exist to academic success for children growing up in intergenerational poverty.We provide
  6. $1,014 spent. programming, individual mentoring and group activities to teenagers, providing a pathway to and through college graduation.
  7. The Ubuntu Center for Peace: The Ubuntu Center is a place of peace, love, and hospitality. 30230. 0. 0.
  8. Teen Mentoring Program:Our Dream Path Teen Mentoring Program 17796. 0. 0.
  9. programming, individual mentoring and group activities to teenagers, 1014. 0. 0.

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 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 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 1992.

    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.