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Links to Success

EIN 45-3572522 · Arcadia, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Links 2 Success is to help at-risk/low-income youth in Desoto County discover their potential. This organization helps students discover other avenues of success besides college but also helps pave the way for those who want to attend college.

Income
$492,551
Spending
$503,007
Spent on programs
56%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
11
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$82,961, executive director

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

Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 22% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 127% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    56% 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

Governance

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (employment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $282,623 spent. College and Career Program - Program Costs Initiative: Links to Success strategically broadened the College and Career program, previously focused on juniors and seniors, to include freshmen and sophomores. This expansion demonstrates our commitment to early and comprehensive educational support. Enhancements: The program evolved from a summer-centric model to a more robust year-round initiative. We introduced monthly workshops on leadership, career exploration, financial literacy, meal preparation, and decision-making. Field trips now encompass visits to technical schools, offering a wider perspective on educational and career opportunities. Family Involvement: To ensure holistic support, we engaged families in the educational process, including providing translators for for non-English speaking participants, thereby fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Impact: This expansion resulted in a 55% increase in program participation, evidencing the successful broadening of our outreach. College and Career Program- Employee Costs Hiring Strategy: Recognizing the need for personalized guidance, we hired a dedicated mentor to support our senior students with college and scholarship applications. The mentor's role expanded to include students across all high school grades. Role Expansion: This mentor was instrumental in planning and executing the enhanced range of workshops, managing the influx of new students, engaging with families, and maintaining liaison with the Executive Director. Impact: This strategic hire necessitated a 100% increase in program employee costs. However, this investment was crucial in expanding our services and achieving our goal of broadening educational support to a larger and more diverse student body. College and Career Program- Contract Services Strategic Hiring: A Project Analyst was hired to augment our operational efficiency. This role included identifying funding sources, managing grant proposals, and creating reports and data visualizations. Program Management: Their expertise in data analysis and project management significantly enhanced our program's scope, schedule, cost, and quality management. Impact: These efforts resulted in a 546% increase in funding revenue, a key factor in the substantial growth of the College & Career program. These strategic enhancements to the College and Career Program at Links to Success have improved our service delivery and significantly impacted the lives of the youth we serve. Our focus on inclusivity, comprehensive educational support, and expanded learning opportunities positions us to continue making meaningful contributions to our community's youth's education and career readiness.
  2. N/A
  3. N/A

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 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 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 February 2013.

    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.

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.