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Passes our checks

Making a Change Group

EIN 80-0779697 · Chester, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MAKING A CHANGE GROUP IS DEDICATED TO EMPOWERING YOUTH, STRENGTHENING FAMILIES, AND SERVING AS A COMMUNITY CONNECTOR IN CHESTER, PA AND ITS SURROUNDING TOWNSHIPS.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
1.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Employees
13
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$87,150, executive di

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 47% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% 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 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 (3)
  1. $243,339 spent. CONNECTED VISIONS OFFERS DIRECT SERVICES TO THE YOUTH AS WELL AS ADULTS IN HOUSEHOLDS IN WHICH YOUTH RESIDE. DESIGNED FOR THIRTY FIVE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.
  2. $522,883 spent. GVINE - GUN VIOLENCE INTERVENTION EMPOWERMENT NETWORKIS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE TARGET AGE GROUPS OF 14-24 BY DOING THE FOLLOWING: STREET OUTREACH AND VIOLENCE INTERVENTIONIST. IDENTIFICATION AND ENGAGEMETN WITH INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE MORE LIKELY TO BECOME VICTIMS AND/OR PERPETRATORS OF GUN VIOLENCE.
  3. $59,433 spent. TEAM MAC - MAKING A CHANGE GROUP'S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. WE PROVIDE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WIHT RELATIONSHIPS AND REAL WORLD EXPERIENCES AS WELL AS EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS AND OTHER RESOURCES THAT THE YOUTH WOULD OTHERWISE NOT HAVE ACCESS TO.

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 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 December 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 February 2017.

    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.