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Ek Kadam Aur

EIN 47-5250637 · Highland Park, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood74 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TRANSFORMING LIVES OF UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN THROUGH EDUCATION, TECHNOLOGY, HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS, AND CONNECTION WITH A GLOBAL NETWORK OF QUALIFIED VOLUNTEERS AND MENTORS.

Income
$519,240
Spending
$573,868
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 93%
Employees
0
Volunteers
200

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: 74 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (international, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 15% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 72% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% 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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (international, $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

    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.

  • 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 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 (4)
  1. $141,030 spent. ARUNODAYA (SUNRISE) FOR CHILDREN WITH BLINDNESS PROGRAM: THE ARUNODAYA PROGRAM REMAINED OUR FLAGSHIP INITIATIVE IN 2025, FOCUSING ON IDENTIFYING, MENTORING, AND INTEGRATING BLIND CHILDREN FROM UNDERPRIVILEGED BACKGROUNDS INTO MAINSTREAM EDUCATION ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES. NUMBER OF BLIND CHILDREN IN THE PROGRAM: 835 CHILDREN ADMITTED TO SCHOOLS: 706 TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS: 83 VISUALLY IMPAIRED TEAM MEMBERS: 21 KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: TRANSITIONED TO A DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITYLED LEARNING MODEL, INTEGRATING SMARTPHONES, SCREEN READERS, AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT LEARNING. STRENGTHENED ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY TRAINING, ENABLING CHILDREN TO MOVE CONFIDENTLY IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY SPACES. IMPLEMENTED PARENT TRAINING AND SENSITIZATION SESSIONS TO SUPPORT HOME- BASED LEARNING AND INDEPENDENCE. TRAINED EDUCATORS AND MENTORS IN INCLUSIVE EDUCATION PRACTICES AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TOOLS. ENCOURAGED PARTICIPATION OF CHILDREN IN ACADEMIC, CULTURAL, AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES, STRENGTHENING CONFIDENCE AND INDEPENDENCE. IMPACT: BENEFITED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS 9 STATES, INCLUDING UTTAR PRADESH, ANDHRA PRADESH, MADHYA PRADESH, CHHATTISGARH, WEST BENGAL, MAHARASHTRA, RAJASTHAN, TELANGANA, KARNATAKA, AND HIMACHAL PRADESH. ARUNODAYA (SUNRISE) FOR CHILDREN WITH BLINDNESS PROGRAM: THE ARUNODAYA PROGRAM REMAINED OUR FLAGSHIP INITIATIVE IN 2025, FOCUSING ON IDENTIFYING, MENTORING, AND INTEGRATING BLIND CHILDREN FROM UNDERPRIVILEGED BACKGROUNDS INTO MAINSTREAM EDUCATION ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES. NUMBER OF BLIND CHILDREN IN THE PROGRAM: 835 CHILDREN ADMITTED TO SCHOOLS: 706 TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS: 83 VISUALLY IMPAIRED TEAM MEMBERS: 21 KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: TRANSITIONED TO A DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITYLED LEARNING MODEL, INTEGRATING SMARTPHONES, SCREEN READERS, AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT LEARNING. STRENGTHENED ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY TRAINING, ENABLING CHILDREN TO MOVE CONFIDENTLY IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY SPACES. IMPLEMENTED PARENT TRAINING AND SENSITIZATION SESSIONS TO SUPPORT HOME- BASED LEARNING AND INDEPENDENCE. TRAINED EDUCATORS AND MENTORS IN INCLUSIVE EDUCATION PRACTICES AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TOOLS. ENCOURAGED PARTICIPATION OF CHILDREN IN ACADEMIC, CULTURAL, AND SPORTS ACTIVITIES, STRENGTHENING CONFIDENCE AND INDEPENDENCE. IMPACT: BENEFITED CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS 9 STATES, INCLUDING UTTAR PRADESH, ANDHRA PRADESH, MADHYA PRADESH, CHHATTISGARH, WEST BENGAL, MAHARASHTRA, RAJASTHAN, TELANGANA, KARNATAKA, AND HIMACHAL PRADESH.
  2. $30,220 spent. HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM: THE HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM CONTINUED TO NURTURE LEADERSHIP, COMMUNICATION, AND CRITICAL THINKING AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ACROSS INDIA AND NEPAL. WEBINARS CONDUCTED: 91 MENTORS ENGAGED: 50 STUDENTS BENEFITED: OVER 230 STUDENTS FROM PARTNER SCHOOLS KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: CONDUCTED SESSIONS ON LEADERSHIP, COMMUNICATION, AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. INTRODUCED STUDENTS TO STEM TOPICS INCLUDING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, CYBERSECURITY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY. ORGANIZED PUBLIC SPEAKING WORKSHOPS, DEBATES, AND STORYTELLING SESSIONS TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS. DELIVERED CAREER GUIDANCE SESSIONS COVERING COLLEGE ADMISSIONS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS. CONDUCTED SESSIONS ON MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING TO SUPPORT HOLISTIC STUDENT DEVELOPMENT. HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM: THE HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM CONTINUED TO NURTURE LEADERSHIP, COMMUNICATION, AND CRITICAL THINKING AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ACROSS INDIA AND NEPAL. WEBINARS CONDUCTED: 91 MENTORS ENGAGED: 50 STUDENTS BENEFITED: OVER 230 STUDENTS FROM PARTNER SCHOOLS KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: CONDUCTED SESSIONS ON LEADERSHIP, COMMUNICATION, AND EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE. INTRODUCED STUDENTS TO STEM TOPICS INCLUDING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, CYBERSECURITY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY. ORGANIZED PUBLIC SPEAKING WORKSHOPS, DEBATES, AND STORYTELLING SESSIONS TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATION SKILLS. DELIVERED CAREER GUIDANCE SESSIONS COVERING COLLEGE ADMISSIONS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS. CONDUCTED SESSIONS ON MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING TO SUPPORT HOLISTIC STUDENT DEVELOPMENT.
  3. $30,220 spent. NURTURING YOUNG LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (INTERNSHIPS & AMBASSADORS OF CHANGE): THIS PROGRAM CONTINUED TO ENGAGE YOUNG LEADERS AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN RESEARCH, MENTORSHIP, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: ENGAGED INTERNS FROM LEADING GLOBAL INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING HARVARD, MIT, AND NEW YORK UNIVERSITY. SUPPORTED RESEARCH, STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT, AND PROGRAM EVALUATION INITIATIVES YOUTH AMBASSADORS CONDUCTED MENTORSHIP SESSIONS AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS ACROSS PROGRAMS. IMPACT: STRENGTHENED YOUTH LEADERSHIP AND EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR GLOBAL COLLABORATION AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE. NURTURING YOUNG LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (INTERNSHIPS & AMBASSADORS OF CHANGE): THIS PROGRAM CONTINUED TO ENGAGE YOUNG LEADERS AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN RESEARCH, MENTORSHIP, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS: ENGAGED INTERNS FROM LEADING GLOBAL INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING HARVARD, MIT, AND NEW YORK UNIVERSITY. SUPPORTED RESEARCH, STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT, AND PROGRAM EVALUATION INITIATIVES YOUTH AMBASSADORS CONDUCTED MENTORSHIP SESSIONS AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS ACROSS PROGRAMS. IMPACT: STRENGTHENED YOUTH LEADERSHIP AND EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR GLOBAL COLLABORATION AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE.
  4. $346,508 spent. XXX

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 November 6, 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 October 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 November 4, 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.