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Higher Heights Leadership Fund

EIN 46-3554404 · Brooklyn, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak41 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our mission is to equip Black women to amplify their individual and collective political engagement power, and leadership capacity to improve the lives of Black people and strengthen American democracy.

Income
$948,209
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
15
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$199,137, president & 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: 41 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 82% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 41% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% 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 92% of charities in its peer group (civil rights, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 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 (6)
  1. $62,299 spent. Strategic Planning Conducted strategic planning process and tactical plans to accelerate the growth, impact and Strategic Planning - Lead the development of a comprehensive strategic planning process and devising tactical plans to accelerate the growth, impact and sustainability of Black womens political power and leadership over the next 10 years.
  2. $446,937 spent. Strategic Communications/Digital Campaigns/Research Creating an environment for Black women to lead through research cultural Shifting communications work, and digital campaigns. Develop on and offline communications to help elevate Black womens voices and help shape the national narrative about Black women in American politics. Accomplished through the development of website content, production of Sunday Brunch Series, FacebookLive and Twitter chat events and seeking to expand earned media opportunities. Compile, conduct and release research on Black womens political and civic leadership.
  3. $202,395 spent. Convenings & Events Host events, townhalls and conversations that gather Black women in communities to discuss issues concerning Black women and their families. Events and convenings create spaces for Black women to be informed, engaged and to take action that will expand Black womens civic engagement beyond the voting booth, to increasing the number of Black women pursuing elected leadership.
  4. $346,882 spent. #BlackWomenVote #BlackWomenVote, a nonpartisan voter-activism campaign powered by Higher Heights is the leading, independent and trusted voice for Black women leading up to 2022 and beyond. #BlackWomenVote provides the latest election news, commentary and tools for Black women to prepare to vote, and get out the vote within their social networks.
  5. $101,692 spent. Outreach and Partnership Expand relationships with national and local partners to expand Higher Heights reach to support programming and attend convenings and meetings.
  6. $472,115 spent. Network Developing a network of Black women and allies and providing members with education, training, and tools to harness their political power. Create on and offline activities and networking opportunities to help Black women lead.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2015.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.