C I R C L E
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Facilitate connections between inclusive, responsive communities who are leading education. CIRCLE creates, implements and supports sustainability and partnerships for individuals and organizations committed to equity and inclusiveness.
- Income
- $251,710
- Spending
- $281,931
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 6.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 72%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $43,601, executive director and founder
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
Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 24% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $224,476 spent. CIRCLE achieves its mission to facilitate connections between communities who are leading education on a daily basis. We do this through our ongoing activities in three key areas: youth leadership development programs, workplace development & consulting across sectors, and multigenerational learning in community. The demand for programming like this has only increased over the years, highlighting the greater need for positive leadership development. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: Youth Leadership Programs CIRCLE provides year-round youth leadership opportunities for students in the Denver Metropolitan area in 7th-12th grade, who are interested in developing their leadership and practices to support their wellbeing. Each program builds on each other letting students develop a multifaceted understanding of their leadership and how to spark positive change in their communities. * Program provides: Youth Leadership Summer Camp; Student Created & Led Fall Conference to other School Communities; Year-round Youth Leadership Advisory Council; Student Created & Led One-Day Events in Community. * Programs occur: At the CIRCLE office as well as around the Denver community; meeting in community at schools and other organizations. * Program run by: CIRCLE Executive Director and Director of Programs & Operations, Programs Coordinator, Summer Youth Specialist, and 30 volunteers from schools and community. * Program funded by: Funding comes from school sponsorships, fee for service (to participate in camps or attend the fall conference as middle school student), in-kind support, and individual donations, community sponsorships, and foundation grants. Workplace & Organizational Training and Consulting The CIRCLE Consulting team is a cadre of experts, who provide hands-on training and support around developing relevant practices of planning, organizing, evaluation, and assessments across sectors (education, nonprofit, public, arts/culture, business and local groups). Our services are for community groups committed to improving their institutions and systems through a collaborative, responsive approach. We will work with organizations to identify their needs and provide guidance on how to achieve those goals. * Program provides: Hands-on learning, coaching, and training to advance inclusive, responsive practices across all aspects of their business. * Programs occur: In person at the organization's office and/or virtually based on the organization's preference and needs. * Program run by: CIRCLE Executive Director and independent contractors who are content experts in their fields. * Program funded by: Funding comes from fee for service (to receive consulting services and training). Multigenerational Learning CIRCLE offers multi-generational learning known as the CIRCLE Cultural Café. This is an annual 'un-conference' for community leaders, educators, board members, parents, and students, who are committed to building healthier communities to come together for shared learning. * Program provides: An annual CIRCLE Cultural Café is an 'un-conference' type experience for adult learners to connect and expand their understanding of social change. * Programs occur: In person. Our 'un-conference' was held at a partner location and included three different speakers discussing topics related to CIRCLE's mission as well as a small market where we invited local community businesses to promote their work. * Program run by: CIRCLE Executive Director, Director of Programs & Operations and Programs Coordinator with the support of the organization's volunteers who are passionate about life-long learning and skilled in event coordination. * Program funded by: Funding comes fee for service (to participate in conference as attendee), business sponsorships, in-kind support, and community or individual donations. CONCLUSION: The regulations governing exemption eligibility for organizations described under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code are found at 26 CFR 1.501(c)(3)-1. The term "charitable" is defined in section 1.501(c)(3)-1(d)(2) to include advancement of education; eliminating prejudice and discrimination. The term educational is defined in Section 1.501(c)(3)-1(d)(3)(i) which states that educational relates to the instruction or training of the individual for the purpose of improving or developing their capabilities; or the instruction of the public on subjects useful to the individual and beneficial to the community. The described activities provided regularly by CIRCLE meets that definition of "charitable and "educational. The youth leadership development programs, organizational training and consulting, and multigenerational learning, equip individuals to take small (or large steps) in courageous conversations regarding race, ethnicity, gender, class and privilege and the challenges and opportunities these issues reveal in professional and personal settings. With more practice and exposure, with more opportunities to learn and be exposed to scholars, resources, media and peer-to-peer conversations, students, educators and other professionals will be able to create and support more inclusive cross-cultural classrooms, boardrooms, workplaces and communities.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2016.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.