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Ace Mentor Program of America Inc

EIN 51-0465877 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ACE'S MISSION IS TO ATTRACT YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY PROFESSIONS. INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS VOLUNTEER TO BECOME MENTORS TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ORDER TO INTRODUCE THEM TO THE PROFESSIONALS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO PURSUE STUDIES AND CAREERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION FIELDS. IN RETURN, THE INDUSTRY GETS A MUCH-NEEDED BOOST OF NEW TALENT.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
14.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
12
Volunteers
5,522
Highest pay
$280,506, president

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

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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. $3.1 million spent. STUDENTS ARE RECRUITED FROM BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOLS, WITH SPECIAL EFFORTS MADE TO REACH THOSE WHO IDENTIFY AS A WOMAN OR A PERSON OF COLOR WHO MIGHT OTHERWISE NOT BE AWARE OF THE REWARDS OF CAREERS IN THE ARCHITECTURE, CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING INDUSTRIES. STUDENTS SELECTED FOR THE PROGRAM ARE DIVIDED INTO TEAMS. THEY WORK UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF A TEAM OF MENTORS FROM FIRMS REPRESENTING OWNERS, ARCHITECTS, CONSTRUCTION MANAGERS AND ENGINEERS (MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL). TEAMS MEET APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN TIMES DURING THE COURSE OF THE SCHOOL YEAR IN AN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM. INITIAL MEETINGS INVOLVE VISITS TO THE OFFICES OF THE INVOLVED FIRMS WHERE THE SCOPES OF THEIR ACTIVITIES ARE DISCUSSED AND A TOUR OF THE FACILITIES CONDUCTED. EACH TEAM THEN SELECTS A DESIGN PROJECT THAT MAY REQUIRE SITE ACQUISITION, AS WELL AS THE DRAWING OF PLANS, THE BUILDING OF MODELS, AND OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES. STUDENTS GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE DESIGN PROCESS, WITH THE TASKS THEY PERFORM FOR THEIR "CLIENTS" MODELED ON THE REAL-LIFE ACTIVITIES OF THEIR MENTORING FIRMS. AMONG THE SKILLS THEY LEARN ARE DRAWING TO SCALE AND ESTIMATING THE COST OF A JOB, SKILLS THAT THEIR MENTORS UTILIZE IN PERFORMING THEIR DAILY PROFESSIONAL DUTIES. THE NATIONAL STAFF OF THE ACE MENTOR PROGRAM OF AMERICA SUPPORTS LOCAL AFFILIATES BY PROVIDING DIRECTION FOR FINANCIAL SOLVENCY, FISCAL COMPLIANCE, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AND LONG-TERM STRATEGIC PLANNING. STAFF ALSO EVALUATE AND REVIEW AFFILIATE ACTIVITIES, DEVELOP REGIONAL ACTIVITIES, ENSURE PROPER COMMUNICATION SUPPORT AND COORDINATE NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND SPONSORS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2024, THE ORGANIZATION SERVED APPROXIMATELY 14,000 STUDENTS.

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 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 June 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 November 2005.

    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.

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