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Connections to Success Inc

EIN 43-1859283 · Saint Charles, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE INSPIRE FAMILIES TO REALIZE THEIR DREAMS AND ACHIEVE ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE BY PROVIDING HOPE, RESOURCES AND A PLAN.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 53%
Employees
45
Volunteers
550
Highest pay
$120,612, 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 56% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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 (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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 (3)
  1. $2.3 million spent. PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS: PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (PPD) TRAINING THE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (PPD) TRAINING IS A 60-HOUR CURRICULUM MODELED AFTER THE EVIDENCE-BASED READY4WORK (DEVELOPED BY PUBLIC/PRIVATE VENTURES) AND THINKING FOR A CHANGE (T4C), BOTH INTEGRATED, COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL CHANGE PROGRAMS ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED FOR THOSE INVOLVED WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. PPD TRAINING HELPS PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES AND PRE-EMPLOYMENT OR "SOFT" SKILLS NEEDED TO SUCCESSFULLY ACQUIRE AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT (INCLUDING COMMUNICATION AND POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP SKILLS). PPD PRESENTS A TRAINING EXPERIENCE THAT HAS TRANSFORMATIVE POWER FOR LOW-INCOME ADULTS, YOUTH, RETURNING CITIZENS, AND OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE SEEKING CHANGE IN THEIR LIVES AND STRIVING TOWARD ECONOMIC STABILITY.OTHER PROGRAMS AVAILABLE UPON COMPLETION OF THIS TRAINING INCLUDE:RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD TRAINING: INTRODUCED IN 2011 TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF ABSENTEE FATHERS, THIS PROGRAM EQUIPS DADS WITH THE TOOLS TO BECOME ENGAGED, RESPONSIBLE PARENTS. THE TRAINING IS DELIVERED THROUGH AN EVIDENCE-BASED CURRICULUM DEVELOPED BY THE NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP FOR COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND FACILITATED BY CERTIFIED TRAINERS. THIS TRAINING IS INTEGRATED INTO THE CTS PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING.CAREER CONNECT: A UNIQUE JOB CLUB FOR PARTICIPANTS SEEKING EMPLOYMENT, FACILITATED WEEKLY BY JOB DEVELOPER/EDUCATION SPECIALISTS. CAREER CONNECT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOB SHADOWING, NETWORKING, MENTORING, UPDATING RSUMS AND CASE MANAGEMENT PLANS, CONDUCTING ONLINE JOB SEARCHES, AND PARTICIPATING IN MOCK INTERVIEWS. THIS WEEKLY GATHERING IS ESPECIALLY HELPFUL TO THOSE EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES IN THE JOB SEARCH PROCESS. PARTICIPANTS ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO THE COMPUTER LAB AT THE CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS OFFICE.MENTORING: OFFERED TO PARTICIPANTS ENROLLED IN OUR PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS PROGRAM. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT SUCCESS IS ENHANCED WHEN MENTORING IS INCORPORATED INTO A HOLISTIC REHABILITATION PROGRAM SUCH AS THE ONE OFFERED AT CONNECTIONS. VOLUNTEER MENTORS ENGAGE WITH PARTICIPANTS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.CONNECT GROUP: BI-WEEKLY MEETINGS WHERE CTS STAFF, MENTORS, AND PARTICIPANTS COME TOGETHER FOR A LIGHT MEAL, CONVERSATION, WORKSHOPS, AND OTHER SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.TRANSPORTATION: A VAN SERVICE PROVIDED BY CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS FOR PARTICIPANTS WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION. ASSISTANCE INCLUDES TRAVELING TO AND FROM CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS OFFICES, JOB INTERVIEWS, JOB FAIRS, AND OTHER APPROVED RESOURCES OR APPOINTMENTS.WHEELS FOR SUCCESS: A UNIQUE CAR OWNERSHIP PROGRAM THROUGH WHICH VEHICLES DONATED TO CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS ARE AWARDED TO PARTICIPANTS WHO ACHIEVE MILESTONES IN THEIR CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLANS.
  2. $86,261 spent. PROGRAM REPLICATION: PROVIDES TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THIRD PARTY ORGANIZATIONS IN REPLICATING PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS PROGRAM. CURRENTLY ARE ENGAGED WITH FOUR AGENCIES LOCATED IN WENTZVILLE, MO, SALINA, KS, TOPEKA, KS, AND CASPER, WY IN REPLICATING PATHWAYS PROGRAM.
  3. $64,876 spent. DRESS FOR SUCCESS MIDWEST AND KANSAS CITY: SUPPORTS UNEMPLOYED AND UNDEREMPLOYED WOMEN IN ACHIEVING ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND THRIVING IN BOTH WORK AND LIFE, THROUGH CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND PROFESSIONAL STYLING SERVICES. SINCE ITS FOUNDING, THE PROGRAM HAS SERVED OVER 30,000 WOMEN. CURRENTLY, BOUTIQUES IN ST. CHARLES AND KANSAS CITY SERVE MORE THAN 1,000 WOMEN EACH YEAR.OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE TO WOMEN COMING THROUGH DRESS FOR SUCCESS INCLUDE:STYLING SERVICES: THE PROGRAM PROVIDES BUSINESS CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES TO WOMEN PREPARING FOR EMPLOYMENT, WITH REFERRALS RECEIVED FROM OVER 200 NONPROFITS THROUGHOUT THE REGION. THROUGH A PERSONAL STYLING EXPERIENCE WITH A TRAINED VOLUNTEER, EACH WOMAN RECEIVES A LIKE-NEW BUSINESS SUIT WITH ALL ACCESSORIES. PROFESSIONAL WOMENS' GROUP (PWG): A JOB RETENTION PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR ENTRY-LEVEL WOMEN WHO HAVE GAINED EMPLOYMENT, PROVIDING A NETWORK OF SUPPORT, PRACTICAL INFORMATION, AND INSPIRATION TO ACHIEVE SELF-DEFINED SUCCESS IN CAREER AND LIFE. PWG MEETINGS ARE HELD MONTHLY IN THE EVENING TO PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT.CAREER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS: VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN FINANCIAL LITERACY, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND WORKFORCE READINESS.

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 2000.

    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.