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Lead the Way Learning Academy

EIN 46-5061452 · Columbus, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong92 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LEAD THE WAY LEARNING ACADEMY'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER THE YOUTH WITH CLARITY, INSPIRATION, DRIVE, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH. LEAD THE WAY LEARNING ACADEMY ACHIEVES THIS THROUGH CUTTING-EDGE, RESEARCHED-BACKED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A PROFOUND SENSE OF PURPOSE IN EVERY INDIVIDUAL WE SERVE. LEAD THE WAY LEARNING ACADEMY'S VISION IS TO BECOME THE FOREMOST PARTNER AND RESOURCE FOR PARENTS, STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, EMPLOYERS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, UNIVERSALLY RECOGNIZED AND CHOSEN FOR OUR INNOVATIVE AND IMPACTFUL CONTRIBUTIONS TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 93%
Employees
277
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$162,138, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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, 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 (1)
  1. $2.7 million spent. IN 2025, LEAD THE WAY LEARNING ACADEMY HELPED EQUIP OVER 800 YOUTH PARTICIPANTS WITH THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE NEEDED TO THRIVE IN THEIR FUTURES. THANKS TO OUR DEDICATED PROGRAMS IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE READINESS, MORE THAN 200 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS PROUDLY GRADUATED, WHILE OVER 60 STUDENTS ADVANCED TO THE NEXT GRADE LEVEL. ADDITIONALLY, MORE THAN 70 PARTICIPANTS EARNED INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS, OPENING DOORS TO MEANINGFUL CAREER OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY SHOWED INTEREST IN. WE BELIEVE IN INCENTIVIZING SUCCESS OUR MEASURABLE SKILLS GAIN TRACKING KEPT STUDENTS ENGAGED AND REWARDED THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS, RESULTING IN OVER 400 INCENTIVES PAID TO YOUTH FOR THEIR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO THEIR IN- SCHOOL EDUCATION. BEYOND ACADEMICS, WE PROVIDED CRUCIAL SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO OVER 90 STUDENTS. THIS ENSURED THEY HAD ACCESS TO DRIVER'S EDUCATION, COLLEGE VISITS (INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION), WORK ESSENTIALS, ENROLLMENT FEES, AND EVEN LAPTOPS FOR THEIR CONTINUED EDUCAITON OR CAREER FIELD. ALL AT NO COST TO THE YOUTH OR THEIR FAMILIES. IN 2025, LEAD THE WAY LEARNING ACADEMY HELPED EQUIP OVER 800 YOUTH PARTICIPANTS WITH THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE NEEDED TO THRIVE IN THEIR FUTURES. THANKS TO OUR DEDICATED PROGRAMS IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND WORKFORCE READINESS, MORE THAN 200 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS PROUDLY GRADUATED, WHILE OVER 60 STUDENTS ADVANCED TO THE NEXT GRADE LEVEL. ADDITIONALLY, MORE THAN 70 PARTICIPANTS EARNED INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS, OPENING DOORS TO MEANINGFUL CAREER OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY SHOWED INTEREST IN. WE BELIEVE IN INCENTIVIZING SUCCESS OUR MEASURABLE SKILLS GAIN TRACKING KEPT STUDENTS ENGAGED AND REWARDED THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS, RESULTING IN OVER 400 INCENTIVES PAID TO YOUTH FOR THEIR CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO THEIR IN- SCHOOL EDUCATION. BEYOND ACADEMICS, WE PROVIDED CRUCIAL SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO OVER 90 STUDENTS. THIS ENSURED THEY HAD ACCESS TO DRIVER'S EDUCATION, COLLEGE VISITS (INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION), WORK ESSENTIALS, ENROLLMENT FEES, AND EVEN LAPTOPS FOR THEIR CONTINUED EDUCAITON OR CAREER FIELD. ALL AT NO COST TO THE YOUTH OR THEIR FAMILIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 August 2015.

    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.