Ravens Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
TO IMPROVE, ENCOURAGE AND ENABLE THE HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH IN THE BALTIMORE AREA AND IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND THROUGH A FOCUS ON PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS HOUSING, HUNGER, EDUCATION, ATHLETICS, AND MENTORING.
- Income
- $611,852
- Spending
- $899,787
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- -11.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 90%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 150
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: 20 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 140% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 47% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 94% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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.
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 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 (2)
- $630,296 spent. GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS: GRANTS ARE AWARDED TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS IN MARYLAND THROUGH A VARIETY OF EFFORTS, INCLUDING ITS PLAY 60 PROGRAM WHICH PROVIDES DESIGNATED FUNDS TO ENCOURAGE PHYSICAL FITNESS AND/OR NUTRITIONAL EDUCATION AMONG YOUTH. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO FUNDS LEAGUE-WIDE PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE YOUTH FOOTBALL, VOLUNTEERISM, CANCER AWARENESS AND MILITARY APPRECIATION. FUNDS ARE PROVIDED ANNUALLY TO APPROVED BALTIMORE RAVENS' PLAYERS' FOUNDATIONS, MANY OF WHICH OPERATE PROGRAMS IN THE LOCAL BALTIMORE COMMUNITY. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED TO BALTIMORE-AREA HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS PURSUING HIGHER EDUCATION AT A FOUR-YEAR INSTITUTION. MULTI-YEAR GRANT FUNDING IS ALSO PROVIDED TO VETTED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS APPROVED AS THE ORGANIZATION'S CHARITABLE PARTNERS.
- $228,472 spent. ANNUAL SIGNATURE PROJECT: EVERY YEAR THE ORGANIZATION FUNDS A MAJOR SIGNATURE PROJECT TO IMPACT THE LIVES OF RESIDENTS, PRIMARILY YOUTH, IN THE BALTIMORE COMMUNITY. FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024, THE FOUNDATION RENOVATED THE HISTORIC SAMUAL COLERIDGE-TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL #122 IN BALTIMORE CITY. ADDITIONALLY, A NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY CENTER ATTACHED TO THE SCHOOL UNDERWENT A COMPLETE TRANSFORMATION. MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT INCLUDED A UPDATING CLASSROOMS, CREATING WELLNESS SPACES FOR TEACHERS, REFURBISHING THE SCHOOL'S GYMNASIUM, OUTDOOR LANDSCAPING, AND SPACE BEAUTIFICATION ON SCHOOL GROUNDS.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 1998.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.