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The Plus Me Project

EIN 46-3506663 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair65 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PLUS ME PROJECT ACTIVATES THE ART OF PERSONAL STORYTELLING TO BUILD CONFIDENCE IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH. WE BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS A STORY THAT MATTERS AND SINCE 2013 WE HAVE IMPACTED OVER 100,000 STUDENTS THROUGH OUT THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$896,884
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 57%
Employees
15
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$100,708, executive director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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: 65 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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 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 (3)
  1. $344,239 spent. COLLEGE ESSAY SUPPORT PROGRAMS HELP STUDENTS TAKE THEIR DISCOVERED STORIES FROM OUR STORYTELLERS AND WRITERS PROGRAM AND TURN THEM INTO COMPELLING COLLEGE PERSONAL STATEMENTS. WE ALSO WORK WITH STUDENTS 1:1 TO EDIT AND POLISH THEIR PERSONAL INSIGHT QUESTIONS.
  2. $157,776 spent. STORYTELLERS PLUS ME SUPPORTS STUDENTS WITH DISCOVERING THE POWER OF THEIR OWN PERSONAL NARRATIVES. WITH THE HELP OF OUR CUSTOMIZED MY STORY MATTERS JOURNALS, STUDENTS REFLECT ON THE IMPACT OF THEITR LIFE EXPERIENCES AND ARE GUIDED THROUGH ARTICULATING THE IMPORTANT CHARACTERS, SETTINGS, EVENTS, AND LESSONS FROM THEIR LIVES. EVERY STUDENT CONCLUDES THE WORKSHOP BY SHARING THEIR STORY AND CONNECTING WITH THEIR PEERS.
  3. $50,202 spent. WRITERS PLUS ME BUILDS UPON THE WORK THAT WAS COMPLETED IN OUR STORYTELERS PLUS ME PROGRAM. STUDENTS CONTINUE TO REFLECT ON THEIR STORY, BUT FOCUS MORE ATTENTION ON THEIR WRITING. WITH HELP OF OUR CUSTOMIZED MY STORY MATTERS JOURNALS, STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO FURTHER ARTICULATE IMPORTANT MOMENTS FROM THEIR LIVES AND DRAFT THEIR STORIES. EVERY STUDENT CONCLUDES THE WORKSHOP SERIES BY COMPLETING A DRAFTED PIECE OF THEIR PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

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 2014.

    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.

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