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Compass for Kids

EIN 81-2829202 · Springfield, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of Compass for Kids is to provide academic and social-emotional support to empower children and families underserved by our community.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 49%
Employees
224
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$107,653, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 21% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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 May 31, 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 (3)
  1. $1.2 million spent. Camp Compass is a free summer learning program for low-income, underserved, elementary students of Springfield Public Schools - District 186. Camp Compass is designed to prevent summer learning loss and improve reading and math skills. The overarching purpose is to reduce the achievement gap that exists between low-income students and their higher-income peers by bringing students up to grade level academically. Camp Compass is a hybrid between a summer school and a camp. On one hand, Camp Compass is an academic intervention where licensed teachers instruct the students three hours per day, five days per week, for the six weeks of camp. In addition, Camp Compass incorporates enrichment activities and field trips for a fun camp-like environment. These enrichment experiences address the opportunity gap in addition to the academic achievement gap. Transportation to and from the program, breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack, and weekend food are provided.
  2. $253,436 spent. Club Compass is a weekly program for low-income, underserved, elementary students in Springfield Public Schools - District 186. Club Compass pairs volunteer mentors with the students and teaches them social-emotional and life skills in a safe, structured, positive environment. Club Compass is currently serving students from five schools: Black Hawk, Dubois, Graham, Harvard Park, and McClernand. Club Compass has a volunteer driven, community based model. Each school Club Compass serves is paired with two or more community partners, which host the Club Compass site for their neighborhood school. Each Club Compass site has the same major components: snack, an evidence-based social-emotional curriculum lesson, academic time, Life Skills classes, and a healthy, family-style dinner. Club Compass is free to participating students. All students are selected and referred by their school.
  3. $135,263 spent. Youth Leadership Development Program is designed to provide middle and high school alumni of Club Compass the opportunity to develop as leaders, and be prepared for college, vocational / trade school, the military, and/or to enter the workforce. The ultimate goal is for these youths to graduate from high school and be ready to achieve their dreams.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 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 May 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 2017.

    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.