Dallas Leadership Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO IDENTIFY, AFFIRM, AND DEVELOP LEADERS TO TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $7.4 million
- Spending
- $3.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 81%
- Employees
- 22
- Volunteers
- 639
- Highest pay
- $145,367, 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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 18% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 59% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 60% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 15 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
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give 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
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (5)
- $442,394 spent. DLF YOUTH: DLF YOUTH MENTORS AT-RISK YOUTH TO BE LEADERS THROUGH ITS POWER TEAM INITIATIVE. DLF YOUTH ALSO PROVIDES IN-DEPTH WEEKLY TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT TO MENTORS WHO WORK WITH DLF'S YOUTH. STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE POWER LUNCH HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM ARE TAUGHT LIFE SKILLS, SUPPORTED ACADEMICALLY, AND COACHED ON APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR. DLF YOUTH ALSO PROVIDES LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. DEVELOPMENT AMONG MULTICULTURAL DALLAS YOUTH IS FOSTERED IN THE WEEKLY POWER LUNCH MEETINGS AT TWO AREA HIGH SCHOOLS. DLF YOUTH ALSO PROVIDES LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND CHAPLAIN SERVICES FOR AN ADDITIONAL SOUTH DALLAS HIGH SCHOOL AND A LITERACY PROGRAM AT A SOUTH DALLAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. IN THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS DLF YOUTH SERVED THROUGH ALL ITS PROGRAMS WAS 1,585 AND 1,032, RESPECTIVELY. DLF YOUTH: DLF YOUTH MENTORS AT-RISK YOUTH TO BE LEADERS THROUGH ITS POWER TEAM INITIATIVE. DLF YOUTH ALSO PROVIDES IN-DEPTH WEEKLY TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT TO MENTORS WHO WORK WITH DLF'S YOUTH. STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE POWER LUNCH HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM ARE TAUGHT LIFE SKILLS, SUPPORTED ACADEMICALLY, AND COACHED ON APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR. DLF YOUTH ALSO PROVIDES LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. DEVELOPMENT AMONG MULTICULTURAL DALLAS YOUTH IS FOSTERED IN THE WEEKLY POWER LUNCH MEETINGS AT TWO AREA HIGH SCHOOLS. DLF YOUTH ALSO PROVIDES LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND CHAPLAIN SERVICES FOR AN ADDITIONAL SOUTH DALLAS HIGH SCHOOL AND A LITERACY PROGRAM AT A SOUTH DALLAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. IN THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS DLF YOUTH SERVED THROUGH ALL ITS PROGRAMS WAS 1,585 AND 1,032, RESPECTIVELY.
- $1.3 million spent. DLF NEIGHBORHOODS: DLF'S APPROACH TO COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION INCLUDES A HEAVY FOCUS ON IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE 13 TARGETED DALLAS NEIGHBORHOODS. INITIALLY, DLF NEIGHBORHOODS WORKS TO IDENTIFY EXISTING LEADERSHIP IN EACH NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS OFTEN COMES IN THE FORM OF A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION OR BY INDIVIDUALS CONNECTING DIRECTLY WITH DLF. ONCE A MORE FORMAL RELATIONSHIP BEGINS, DLF BEGINS TO ASSESS THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS WITH LOCAL LEADERS THROUGH DLF'S OWN NEIGHBORHOOD VITALITY INDEX. THE VITALITY INDEX IS A DATA COLLECTION TOOL USED TO DETERMINE A NEIGHBORHOOD'S SUSTAINABILITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE RESIDENTS. AT THIS POINT, DLF AND THE COMMUNITY LEADERS WORK TOGETHER TO DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN THAT INCLUDES PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS STRATEGIES TO CREATE THRIVING, SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS. DLF NEIGHBORHOODS' PROGRAMS PROVIDE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT SERVICES SUCH AS LEADERSHIP TRAINING, HOME IMPROVEMENT, AND CONNECTION TO EMPLOYMENT AND HEALTH SERVICES. IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, DLF ALSO BEGAN PROVIDING FOOD BOXES, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, UTILITY ASSISTANCE, AND TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE. DLF EXPECTS TO CONTINUE THESE CRITICAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS INTO THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. IN THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE DLF NEIGHBORHOODS SERVED WAS 6,960 AND 11,444 RESPECTIVELY. DLF NEIGHBORHOODS: DLF'S APPROACH TO COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION INCLUDES A HEAVY FOCUS ON IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE 13 TARGETED DALLAS NEIGHBORHOODS. INITIALLY, DLF NEIGHBORHOODS WORKS TO IDENTIFY EXISTING LEADERSHIP IN EACH NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS OFTEN COMES IN THE FORM OF A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION OR BY INDIVIDUALS CONNECTING DIRECTLY WITH DLF. ONCE A MORE FORMAL RELATIONSHIP BEGINS, DLF BEGINS TO ASSESS THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS WITH LOCAL LEADERS THROUGH DLF'S OWN NEIGHBORHOOD VITALITY INDEX. THE VITALITY INDEX IS A DATA COLLECTION TOOL USED TO DETERMINE A NEIGHBORHOOD'S SUSTAINABILITY AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE RESIDENTS. AT THIS POINT, DLF AND THE COMMUNITY LEADERS WORK TOGETHER TO DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN THAT INCLUDES PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS STRATEGIES TO CREATE THRIVING, SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS. DLF NEIGHBORHOODS' PROGRAMS PROVIDE NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT SERVICES SUCH AS LEADERSHIP TRAINING, HOME IMPROVEMENT, AND CONNECTION TO EMPLOYMENT AND HEALTH SERVICES. IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, DLF ALSO BEGAN PROVIDING FOOD BOXES, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, UTILITY ASSISTANCE, AND TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE. DLF EXPECTS TO CONTINUE THESE CRITICAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS INTO THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. IN THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE DLF NEIGHBORHOODS SERVED WAS 6,960 AND 11,444 RESPECTIVELY.
- $532,900 spent. DLF REENTRY: DLF REENTRY ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF CURRENTLY AND PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED MEN RETURNING TO SOCIETY, IN COLLABORATION WITH CHURCHES, NONPROFITS, AND AGENCIES. INDIVIDUALS LEAVING PRISON ARE MENTORED IN CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES AND PROVIDED COMPASSIONATE ASSISTANCE WITH WEEKLY FELLOWSHIP, OBTAINING HOUSING, CLOTHING PURCHASES, DOCUMENTATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND TRANSPORTATION. BUS PASSES ARE OFFERED AS SUPPORT TO ASSIST MEN WITH TRANSPORTATION. DLF ALSO ENGAGES MEN THROUGH ITS IN-PRISON FAITH-BASED PROGRAM HOUSED IN A 232 BED BUILDING AT HUTCHINS STATE JAIL. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES 30 HOURS OF TRAINING EACH WEEK IN THE AREAS OF FATHERHOOD, SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO NAME A FEW. REENTRY ALSO PROVIDES A WORKFORCE TRANSITION HOUSE WHICH PROVIDES NINE MONTHS OF SUPPORT. DURING THIS TIME, WE HELP PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED MEN TO SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE BACK INTO SOCIETY. IN THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE DLF REENTRY SERVED WAS 1,348 AND 1,171, RESPECTIVELY. THE REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF MEN SERVED WAS DUE TO EXTENDED LOCKDOWN IN HUTCHINS STATE JAIL. DLF REENTRY: DLF REENTRY ADVOCATES ON BEHALF OF CURRENTLY AND PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED MEN RETURNING TO SOCIETY, IN COLLABORATION WITH CHURCHES, NONPROFITS, AND AGENCIES. INDIVIDUALS LEAVING PRISON ARE MENTORED IN CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES AND PROVIDED COMPASSIONATE ASSISTANCE WITH WEEKLY FELLOWSHIP, OBTAINING HOUSING, CLOTHING PURCHASES, DOCUMENTATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND TRANSPORTATION. BUS PASSES ARE OFFERED AS SUPPORT TO ASSIST MEN WITH TRANSPORTATION. DLF ALSO ENGAGES MEN THROUGH ITS IN-PRISON FAITH-BASED PROGRAM HOUSED IN A 232 BED BUILDING AT HUTCHINS STATE JAIL. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES 30 HOURS OF TRAINING EACH WEEK IN THE AREAS OF FATHERHOOD, SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO NAME A FEW. REENTRY ALSO PROVIDES A WORKFORCE TRANSITION HOUSE WHICH PROVIDES NINE MONTHS OF SUPPORT. DURING THIS TIME, WE HELP PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED MEN TO SUCCESSFULLY INTEGRATE BACK INTO SOCIETY. IN THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE DLF REENTRY SERVED WAS 1,348 AND 1,171, RESPECTIVELY. THE REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF MEN SERVED WAS DUE TO EXTENDED LOCKDOWN IN HUTCHINS STATE JAIL.
- $327,709 spent. TREASURES OF HOPE: TREASURES OF HOPE IS AN ANNUAL CHRISTMAS STORE HELD FOR FAMILIES IN NEED. DLF SERVES OVER 20 CHURCHES, COMMUNITY AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT REFER INDIVIDUALS TO SHOP WITH DIGNITY FOR MERCHANDISE AT 75% OFF THE RETAIL VALUE. IN THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE DLF SERVED THROUGH ITS TREASURES OF HOPE CHRISTMAS STORE WAS 703 AND 366, RESPECTIVELY. TRANSFORM DALLAS: DLF PARTNERS WITH MULTIPLE LOCAL CHURCHES TO PUT ON TRANSFORM DALLAS IN WHICH HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS ARE RECRUITED TO SERVE IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY PROJECTS SUCH AS HOUSE PAINTINGS, LANDSCAPING, NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UP, CRIME AND SAFETY ITEMS, COMMUNITY-BUILDING BLOCK PARTIES, AND MUCH MORE. IN THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023, DLF SERVED 1,105 AND 1,425 PEOPLE, RESPECTIVELY, EXPANDING SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FROM AN ANNUAL ONE-DAY EVENT TO MULTIPLE DAYS OF SERVICE. DLF WORKS: DLF-WORKS IS AN INTEGRATED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT TEACHES HARD TO REACH MARGINALIZED INDIVIDUALS SKILLS TO EARN A LIVING WAGE. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE LIFE-SKILLS TRAINING, HANDS-ON WORKPLACE TRAINING, AND JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES THAT HELP PARTICIPANTS BECOME STABLE, PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. DLF USES A RELATIONAL APPROACH TO HELP HARD- TO-PLACE PARTICIPANTS INCREASE THEIR EMPLOYABILITY IN A COMPETITIVE WORKPLACE. IN THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DLF-WORKS PARTICIPANTS SERVED WAS 311 AND 276, RESPECTIVELY.
- TREASURES OF HOPE: TREASURES OF HOPE IS AN ANNUAL CHRISTMAS STORE HELD FOR FAMILIES IN NEED. DLF SERVES OVER 20 CHURCHES, COMMUNITY AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT REFER INDIVIDUALS TO SHOP WITH DIGNITY FOR MERCHANDISE AT 75% OFF THE RETAIL VALUE. IN THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE DLF SERVED THROUGH ITS TREASURES OF HOPE CHRISTMAS STORE WAS 703 AND 366, RESPECTIVELY. TRANSFORM DALLAS: DLF PARTNERS WITH MULTIPLE LOCAL CHURCHES TO PUT ON TRANSFORM DALLAS IN WHICH HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS ARE RECRUITED TO SERVE IN VARIOUS COMMUNITY PROJECTS SUCH AS HOUSE PAINTINGS, LANDSCAPING, NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UP, CRIME AND SAFETY ITEMS, COMMUNITY-BUILDING BLOCK PARTIES, AND MUCH MORE. IN THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023, DLF SERVED 1,105 AND 1,425 PEOPLE, RESPECTIVELY, EXPANDING SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FROM AN ANNUAL ONE-DAY EVENT TO MULTIPLE DAYS OF SERVICE. DLF WORKS: DLF-WORKS IS AN INTEGRATED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT TEACHES HARD TO REACH MARGINALIZED INDIVIDUALS SKILLS TO EARN A LIVING WAGE. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE LIFE-SKILLS TRAINING, HANDS-ON WORKPLACE TRAINING, AND JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES THAT HELP PARTICIPANTS BECOME STABLE, PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. DLF USES A RELATIONAL APPROACH TO HELP HARD- TO-PLACE PARTICIPANTS INCREASE THEIR EMPLOYABILITY IN A COMPETITIVE WORKPLACE. IN THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND 2023, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DLF-WORKS PARTICIPANTS SERVED WAS 311 AND 276, RESPECTIVELY.
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 July 1995.
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.