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Creative Reaction Lab

EIN 47-2876860 · Saint Louis, MO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak41 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EDUCATE, TRAIN, AND CHALLENGE BLACK AND LATINX YOUTH TO BECOME LEADERS DESIGNING HEALTHY AND RACIALLY EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES. WE'RE CHALLENGING THE BELIEF THAT ONLY ADULTS WITH TITLES (E.G. MAYORS, CEOS, ETC.) HAVE THE POWER AND RIGHT TO CHALLENGE RACIAL AND HEALTH INEQUITIES. HOWEVER, WE ARE CONSCIOUS THAT IT'S NOT JUST THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY UNDERINVESTED TO DISMANTLE OPPRESSIVE SYSTEMS. THEREFORE, WE ARE RALLYING AN INTERGENERATIONAL MOVEMENT OF REDESIGNERS FOR JUSTICE.

Income
$739,937
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
26
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$188,981, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 41 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 21% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 54% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 39% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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, 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. $880,796 spent. TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS WHICH PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL ENGAGEMENT FOR ORGANIZATIONS, TEAMS, AND INDIVIDUALS TO SHIFT MINDSETS AND CREATE PRACTICES THAT CENTER EQUITY THEIR YOUR WORK; SEEDS OF POWER FELLOWSHIP - AN UP TO 3-YEAR COMMITMENT THAT TRAINS YOUTH ALUMNI OF CREATIVE REACTION LAB PROGRAMS TO GROW A SKILL SET AND EXPAND KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN FACILITATION OF EQUITY-CENTERED COMMUNITY DESIGN, CONTENT DEVELOPMENT, OR COMMUNITY GIVING; AND ARTWORK FOR EQUITY, WHICH SELECTS YOUNG BLACK AND LATINX DESIGNERS AND ARTISTS (26 AND UNDER) TO PRODUCE ORIGINAL IMAGES IN THE FORM OF POSTERS PROMOTING INCLUSION, EQUITY, LIBERATION, AND JUSTICE FOR ALL RACES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 May 2017.

    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.