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Thea Bowman Center

EIN 52-2157682 · Cleveland, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak45 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TBC MISSION STATEMENT: WE LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE OF MT PLEASANT, LEARN AND DO WHAT THEY WANT AND NEED.

Income
$597,918
Spending
$788,747
Spent on programs
83%
Reserves
1.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
14
Volunteers
700
Highest pay
$55,000, former exec

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

Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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 (5)
  1. $655,384 spent. THE THEA BOWMAN CENTER (CENTER) FOOD SUPPORT PROGRAM: OVER 9,000 COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WERE PROVIDED FOOD SUPPORT IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 - 2025. TBC'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE MOST IN NEED IN THE MOUNT PLEASANT COMMUNITY. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF HUNGER FOR PEOPLE WITH LIMITED INCOME AND LIMITED RESOURCES. OUR WEEKLY HOT LUNCH PROGRAM SERVES AN AVERAGE OF 150 RESIDENTS PER WEEK. THIS PROGRAM IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FOUR CATHOLIC CHURCHES AND THE SAI BABA CENTER. THE CENTER PROVIDES A HOT, NUTRITIOUS MEAL EVERY SATURDAY AND IS OPEN TO THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE MOUNT PLEASANT COMMUNITY. THE SENIOR OUTREACH PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE OUTREACH SERVICES AND HEALTHY RESOURCE CONNECTIONS INCLUDING SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR SENIORS 60 AND OLDER. IN ADDITION, WE DELIVER FOOD TO OVER 100 SENIORS WHO ARE HOMEBOUND. TAX RETURN FILING: THE CENTER OFFERS A FREE TAX RETURN PREPARATION SERVICE THAT HAS ASSISTED OVER 450 RESIDENTS. THE THEA BOWMAN CENTER (CENTER) FOOD SUPPORT PROGRAM: OVER 9,000 COMMUNITY RESIDENTS WERE PROVIDED FOOD SUPPORT IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 - 2025. TBC'S MISSION IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE MOST IN NEED IN THE MOUNT PLEASANT COMMUNITY. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF HUNGER FOR PEOPLE WITH LIMITED INCOME AND LIMITED RESOURCES. OUR WEEKLY HOT LUNCH PROGRAM SERVES AN AVERAGE OF 150 RESIDENTS PER WEEK. THIS PROGRAM IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FOUR CATHOLIC CHURCHES AND THE SAI BABA CENTER. THE CENTER PROVIDES A HOT, NUTRITIOUS MEAL EVERY SATURDAY AND IS OPEN TO THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE MOUNT PLEASANT COMMUNITY. THE SENIOR OUTREACH PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE OUTREACH SERVICES AND HEALTHY RESOURCE CONNECTIONS INCLUDING SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR SENIORS 60 AND OLDER. IN ADDITION, WE DELIVER FOOD TO OVER 100 SENIORS WHO ARE HOMEBOUND. TAX RETURN FILING: THE CENTER OFFERS A FREE TAX RETURN PREPARATION SERVICE THAT HAS ASSISTED OVER 450 RESIDENTS.
  2. COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM-ADULT LITERACY/GED PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM WHICH STARTED IN 2009 ASSISTS PEOPLE WITH COMPLETING HIGH SCHOOL BY PROVIDING GED TUTORING SERVICES. STATISTICS SHOW THAT OVER 39% OF MOUNT PLEASANT RESIDENTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 30 - 40, DO NOT HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION. COMPUTER LITERACY CLASSES ARE AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS WEEKLY. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE 12 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN CLASSES OFFERED TWICE DAILY. SENIORS ARE MOST EXCITED TO LEARN COMPUTER SKILLS. MOUNT PLEASANT IS A DIGITAL DIVIDE COMMUNITY WITH LIMITED HOME ACCESS TO THE INTERNET OR A COMPUTER. JOB SUPPORT IS PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MANUFACTURING COMPANIES, HOSPITALS AND OTHERS LOOKING TO HIRE RESIDENTS FOR VARIOUS JOBS. THE CENTER SERVES AS THE COMMUNITY HOST FOR JOB FAIRS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THIS APPROACH HELPS TO CONNECT RESIDENTS TO JOB OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDING ASSISTANCE WITH ONLINE JOB APPLICATIONS AND RESOURCE NETWORKING. COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM-ADULT LITERACY/GED PROGRAM: THIS PROGRAM WHICH STARTED IN 2009 ASSISTS PEOPLE WITH COMPLETING HIGH SCHOOL BY PROVIDING GED TUTORING SERVICES. STATISTICS SHOW THAT OVER 39% OF MOUNT PLEASANT RESIDENTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 30 - 40, DO NOT HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION. COMPUTER LITERACY CLASSES ARE AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS WEEKLY. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE 12 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN CLASSES OFFERED TWICE DAILY. SENIORS ARE MOST EXCITED TO LEARN COMPUTER SKILLS. MOUNT PLEASANT IS A DIGITAL DIVIDE COMMUNITY WITH LIMITED HOME ACCESS TO THE INTERNET OR A COMPUTER. JOB SUPPORT IS PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MANUFACTURING COMPANIES, HOSPITALS AND OTHERS LOOKING TO HIRE RESIDENTS FOR VARIOUS JOBS. THE CENTER SERVES AS THE COMMUNITY HOST FOR JOB FAIRS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THIS APPROACH HELPS TO CONNECT RESIDENTS TO JOB OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDING ASSISTANCE WITH ONLINE JOB APPLICATIONS AND RESOURCE NETWORKING.
  3. TBC CHILDREN'S PROGRAM: THE CHILDREN'S EIGHT-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM PROVIDES A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR 26 CHILDREN (K-8TH) TO GROW AND LEARN. THE SUMMER PROGRAM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FOOD BANK, PROVIDES MEALS FOR CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY. WHEN THE CHILDREN RETURN TO SCHOOL, THEY ATTEND AN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM (3:15P - 5:15P) FOUR DAYS PER WEEK. THIS PROGRAM IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH PROVIDES A VARIETY OF LITERACY, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES TO THIRTY 2ND THROUGH 7TH GRADERS ON THE NATHAN HALE SCHOOL CAMPUS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR. MYCOM - MY COMMITMENT, MY COMMUNITY: THIS PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH A NETWORK OF OVER 90 COMMUNITY PROVIDERS INCLUDING SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. COMMUNITY PARTNERS CONNECT WITH FAMILIES AND YOUTH (OVER 2000) TO ENSURE POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT TO GROW AND LEARN. THE FOCUS IS YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND YOUTH VOICE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ALONG WITH FAMILY SUPPORT. IN 2025, MYCOM LOST A MAJOR SOURCE OF FUNDING AND TRANSITIONED LEAD AGENCIES INTO LEGACY AGENCIES. THE CENTER CONTINUES THE WORK OF MYCOM UNDER A NEW CHILD AND FAMILY WELL-BEING STRATEGY. TBC CHILDREN'S PROGRAM: THE CHILDREN'S EIGHT-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM PROVIDES A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR 26 CHILDREN (K-8TH) TO GROW AND LEARN. THE SUMMER PROGRAM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FOOD BANK, PROVIDES MEALS FOR CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY. WHEN THE CHILDREN RETURN TO SCHOOL, THEY ATTEND AN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM (3:15P - 5:15P) FOUR DAYS PER WEEK. THIS PROGRAM IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH PROVIDES A VARIETY OF LITERACY, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES TO THIRTY 2ND THROUGH 7TH GRADERS ON THE NATHAN HALE SCHOOL CAMPUS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR. MYCOM - MY COMMITMENT, MY COMMUNITY: THIS PROGRAM PARTNERS WITH A NETWORK OF OVER 90 COMMUNITY PROVIDERS INCLUDING SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. COMMUNITY PARTNERS CONNECT WITH FAMILIES AND YOUTH (OVER 2000) TO ENSURE POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT TO GROW AND LEARN. THE FOCUS IS YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND YOUTH VOICE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ALONG WITH FAMILY SUPPORT. IN 2025, MYCOM LOST A MAJOR SOURCE OF FUNDING AND TRANSITIONED LEAD AGENCIES INTO LEGACY AGENCIES. THE CENTER CONTINUES THE WORK OF MYCOM UNDER A NEW CHILD AND FAMILY WELL-BEING STRATEGY.
  4. VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: THE CENTER WELCOMED OVER 700 VOLUNTEERS WHO PROVIDED HELP TO ALL OF THE ABOVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THE YEAR-ROUND SATURDAY HOT LUNCH PROGRAM ALONE IS TOTALLY SUPPORTED BY OVER 350 VOLUNTEERS FROM FIVE PARTNER CHURCHES. BUSINESSES, COMPANIES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, COMMUNITY RESIDENTS, COMMUNITY SOCIAL GROUPS AND SORORITIES, SUPPORT OUR SMALL WORKFORCE AND ALL PROGRAMS. AS A SMALL ORGANIZATION, VOLUNTEERS ARE A MAJOR ASSET TO OUR MISSION AND SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: OUR MISSION STATEMENT (LISTENING, LEARNING AND DOING, ADOPTED VIA THE 2025 - 2027 STRATEGIC PLAN) IS OUR GUIDE TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, CONNECTION AND SERVICE DELIVERY. THEREFORE, ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH DURING THE HOT MEAL AND PANTRY TIME ON SATURDAYS, CONNECTS THE CENTER TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY'S RESIDENTS. THIS CONNECTION RESULTED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOOD CHOICE PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM EMPOWERS RESIDENTS TO SELECT THE ITEMS THEY WANT AND NEED RATHER THAN RECEIVE A PREPACKED STANDARD FOOD BANK GROCERY BAG CONTAINING ITEMS THAT OFTEN AREN'T USED. ON SATURDAYS, COMMUNITY RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN OTHER TBC PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OFFERED SUCH AS JOB FAIRS AND THE CENTER'S MARKETPLACE AS WELL AS RECEIVE VALUABLE COMMUNITY, CITY AND COUNTY RESOURCE INFORMATION TO HELP THEM IN THEIR DAILY LIFE'S JOURNEY. DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAM ASSESSMENT AND MEASUREMENT TOOLS TO BETTER ACCOUNT FOR OUR PROGRAM AND SERVICES WAS IMPLEMENTED JANUARY 2025. THIS INCLUDED SATISFACTION SURVEYS TO BE USED BY ALL PROGRAMS FOR FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS. THE CENTER'S STRATEGIC PLAN WILL BE UPDATED AND IMPLEMENTED FOR THE PERIOD 2025 2027. INCREASED FUNDING OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS HAS ENABLED THE CENTER TO INCREASE THE STAFFING CAPACITY FROM FOUR PART-TIME STAFF TO SEVEN FULL-TIME STAFF TO MEET THE DEMAND OF EXPANDED PROGRAMMING.
  5. VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: THE CENTER WELCOMED OVER 700 VOLUNTEERS WHO PROVIDED HELP TO ALL OF THE ABOVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THE YEAR-ROUND SATURDAY HOT LUNCH PROGRAM ALONE IS TOTALLY SUPPORTED BY OVER 350 VOLUNTEERS FROM FIVE PARTNER CHURCHES. BUSINESSES, COMPANIES, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, COMMUNITY RESIDENTS, COMMUNITY SOCIAL GROUPS AND SORORITIES, SUPPORT OUR SMALL WORKFORCE AND ALL PROGRAMS. AS A SMALL ORGANIZATION, VOLUNTEERS ARE A MAJOR ASSET TO OUR MISSION AND SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: OUR MISSION STATEMENT (LISTENING, LEARNING AND DOING, ADOPTED VIA THE 2025 - 2027 STRATEGIC PLAN) IS OUR GUIDE TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, CONNECTION AND SERVICE DELIVERY. THEREFORE, ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH DURING THE HOT MEAL AND PANTRY TIME ON SATURDAYS, CONNECTS THE CENTER TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY'S RESIDENTS. THIS CONNECTION RESULTED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOOD CHOICE PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM EMPOWERS RESIDENTS TO SELECT THE ITEMS THEY WANT AND NEED RATHER THAN RECEIVE A PREPACKED STANDARD FOOD BANK GROCERY BAG CONTAINING ITEMS THAT OFTEN AREN'T USED. ON SATURDAYS, COMMUNITY RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN OTHER TBC PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OFFERED SUCH AS JOB FAIRS AND THE CENTER'S MARKETPLACE AS WELL AS RECEIVE VALUABLE COMMUNITY, CITY AND COUNTY RESOURCE INFORMATION TO HELP THEM IN THEIR DAILY LIFE'S JOURNEY. DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAM ASSESSMENT AND MEASUREMENT TOOLS TO BETTER ACCOUNT FOR OUR PROGRAM AND SERVICES WAS IMPLEMENTED JANUARY 2025. THIS INCLUDED SATISFACTION SURVEYS TO BE USED BY ALL PROGRAMS FOR FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS. THE CENTER'S STRATEGIC PLAN WILL BE UPDATED AND IMPLEMENTED FOR THE PERIOD 2025 2027. INCREASED FUNDING OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS HAS ENABLED THE CENTER TO INCREASE THE STAFFING CAPACITY FROM FOUR PART-TIME STAFF TO SEVEN FULL-TIME STAFF TO MEET THE DEMAND OF EXPANDED PROGRAMMING.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1999.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.