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Lead

EIN 47-2471572 · Allentown, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak33 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

LEAD IS A COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM IN WHICH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, LOCAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES JOIN TOGETHER TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ABOUT THE PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE, VIOLENCE AND BULLYING. THE LEAD BASED PROGRAM IS PROVIDED WITH CURRICULA AND INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO BE DELIVERED IN GRADES K-12, INCLUDING CAMPS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS. LEAD'S PROGRAMS INCREASE KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF EFFECTIVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AMONG SCHOOL-AGED YOUTH AND COMMUNITIES. LEAD PROVIDES LEADERSHIP, RESOURCES AND MANAGEMENT TO ENSURE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAVE THE MEANS TO PARTNER WITH OUR EDUCATORS, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND FAMILIES BY PROVIDING PROVEN AND EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS TO DETER YOUR AND ADULTS FROM DRUG USE, DRUG RELATED CRIMES, BULLYING AND VIOLENCE. LEAD IS COMMITTED TO REINFORCING MUTUAL RESPECT, GOODWILL AND RELATIONS BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAMS ARE TAUGHT BY APPROXIMATELY 1,000 TRAINED LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, WHO VOLUNTEER THEIR

Income
$21.0 million
Spending
$23.5 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
41
Volunteers
5,600
Highest pay
$262,500, executive di

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: 33 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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 37% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 18 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 (1)
  1. $20.0 million spent. LEAD PROVIDES CURRICULA AND INITIATIVES TO OVER 2,000 COMMUNITIES THROUGH FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTIVE PROGRAMS 'ON THE STREET- AND 'IN THE CLASSROOMS'. OUR IN THE CLASSROOM PROGRAM PROVIDES TO STUDENTS IN GRADES K-12 THROUGH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, PREVENTION SPECIALTISTS AND EDUCATORS TO THE STUDENTS REGARDING SUBSTANCE ABUSE, VIOLENCE AND BULLYING. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE COMMITMENT AND EFFORTS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES, SUPPORTIVE OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIONS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE PROGRAMS ARE TAUGHT BY APPROXIMATELY 1,400 TRAINED LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, WHO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO FURTHER LEAD'S MISSION.

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 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 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 April 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.