Spark the Journey
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SPARK THE JOURNEY IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES MENTORSHIP AND A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT FOR YOUNG ADULTS FROM WASHINGTON D.C.'S LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS TO CHART THEIR OWN PATHS TO ACHIEVING COLLEGE AND CAREER SUCCESS.
- Income
- $2.1 million
- Spending
- $3.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 7.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 87%
- Employees
- 31
- Volunteers
- 48
- Highest pay
- $438,405, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 52% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 50% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2517 of 17 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 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)
- $2.5 million spent. SPARK THE JOURNEY BELIEVES THAT A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT CHANGES THE OUTCOMES OF THE YOUNG ADULTS WE SERVE, SO WE CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY AND LEARN THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING AND MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS. THIS SKILL ALONE HELPS THEM GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF NETWORKS AS TOOLS FOR SUCCESS AND EXPOSES THEM TO NEW AND EXCITING POSSIBILITIES IN THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIVES. WE MATCH OUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WITH A DEDICATED MENTOR. EACH MENTEE AND MENTOR PAIR ARE SUPPORTED BY A SPARK THE JOURNEY TEAM MEMBER WHO SERVES AS A RESOURCE AND SUPPORT SYSTEM TO HELP ENSURE THEY ARE CULTIVATING MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS AND DEVELOPING THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO THRIVE IN SCHOOL OR IN THEIR CAREER. FOR SPARK THE JOURNEY PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS SEEKING A COLLEGE EDUCATION, THEY ARE PROVIDED WITH WRAP-AROUND SERVICES AND PROGRAMS SUCH AS FREE SAT CLASSES AND SUBJECT-SPECIFIC TUTORING, INDIVIDUALIZED COLLEGE ADVISING, APPLICATION ASSISTANCE, CASE MANAGEMENT, SCHOLARSHIPS, FAFSA APPLICATION ASSISTANCE, RESUME REVISION, PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING, INTERNSHIP AND EXTERNSHIP EXPERIENCES, CAREER EXPLORATION DAYS, AND DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT. FOR SPARK THE JOURNEY PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS SEEKING AN ALTERNATE PATH TO CAREER SUCCESS, WE PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT, RESUME REVISION, PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING, INTERNSHIP AND EXTERNSHIP EXPERIENCES, CAREER EXPLORATION DAYS, AND DIRECT FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 July 1993.
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.