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Passes our checks

James Gang

EIN 74-3070882 · Iowa City, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceWeak46 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE JAMES GANG FOSTERS COMMUNITY-ORIENTED ACTIONS, ATTITUDES AND EXPERIENCES IN WHICH CREATIVITY AND SERVICE THRIVE. WE ARE A NONPROFIT GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY-BUILDING ORGANIZATION BASED IN IOWA CITY, IOWA.

Income
$453,059
Spending
$448,633
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
2.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
0
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$10,891, treasurer

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

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 43% 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, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    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, 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 (4)
  1. $126,915 spent. ANTELOPE LENDING LIBRARY IN 2024, WE DISTRIBUTED 1523 BOOKS THROUGH LOBBY LIBRARIES, MADE 237 DELIVERIES TO 1565 READERS, DISTRIBUTED 2176 SNACKS THROUGH THE FREE SNACK PROGRAM, NAD HOSTED 5248 PEOPLE TO THE BOOKMOBILE.
  2. $66,760 spent. THE LENA PROJECT WE HOSTED A WALK THROUGH WINTER PLEDGE TO ENCOURAGE CITIZENS TO GET OUTSIDE AND WALK. WE HELD FREE PROMPT FOR THE PLANET WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN. WE HELD LENA EARTH WARRIORS CAMP FOR CHILDREN. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE UIOWA OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, HOSTED PROMPT FOR THE PLANET COMMUNITY PROJECT. WE FORMED THE LENA EARTH WARRIORS KIDS CHOIR.
  3. $66,108 spent. IOWA CITY POETRY IN 2024, WE HOSTED WRITING WORKSHOPS, OPEN MICS, POETRY READINGS, SPECIAL EVENTS AND COMMUNITY FESTIVALS. WE SERVED OVER 2000 ADULT AND TEEN WRITERS.
  4. $165,530 spent. OTHER ENDEAVORS.

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 October 13, 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 February 2004.

    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 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.