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Ace Academy

EIN 81-2983424 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak13 out of 100GovernanceWeak30 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

ACE is built on the premise of serving men from historically under-served populations. Specifically targeting African American, African Diaspora,Latino/Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American males. At ACE, young men will learn compassion and understanding, a strong educational and cultural foundation, the value of perseverance and determination, and how to use their individual talents for the greater good in their community. Young men of ACE will be able to answer the existential question of "Who Am I?" with a resounding answer of, "I AM EXELLENCE!".

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
-1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
33
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$111,427, coo

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

Weak: 13 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 905% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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: 30 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 3 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

    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

    0 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 (7)
  1. $787,304 spent. Summary of Program Service Accomplishments for the Year Summer Learning Experience Program We provided a four week summer program for 25 middle school students. The students participated in STEM, humanities, math, financial literacy, field trips, health and wellness and social/emotional development. Career Pathways We provided career connected internships for 55 high school and college young men with BIPOC owned businesses. Along with paid internships, the young men participated in college and career workshops. The workshops provided career skills building along with how to access postsecondary opportunities. Youth Organized Mental Health Education (YOMHE) Four young men developed a mental health awareness presentation. The young men presented this information to 200 youth throughout the city. Black Educator Institute (BEI) BEI is our Black Educator support program. Through this program we provide professional development workshops, social gatherings, the Black Male Educator Summit, classroom supplies and lesson plans. This year over 150 educators participated in our professional development workshops and 55 Black male educators attended our Black Male Educator Summit. Day of Excellence Day of Excellence Is our community centered health and wellness event. This year, we partnered with Black Men Run over 50 community members participated in a 5K Walk/Run fundraiser. The funds raised went directly towards our scholarships. STEM Day - We partnered with a local civil engineering firm to host a STEM Day at our office. We invited 50 youth to engage in hands-on STEM activities. Scholarships We provide $1,000 renewable scholarships for graduating seniors and continuing college students. This year we awarded 7 new scholarships and renewed 5 with a total of 12 scholarships awarded this year. General Community Support We provide space for 15 other non-profit organizations that needed a place to meet, have workshops or other gatherings. After a shooting at one of the local high school, we provided a healing circle and other supports for the football coaching staff.
  2. FAME GAME AND IN SCHOOL PROGRAMMING- Provides purpose to young men of color with tools, resources and knowledge towards becoming viable world citizens. We cover topics that impact them and our community such as police brutality, gun violence and economic mobility. Prepares African American young men and young men of color for individual success through instruction, advising, and mentoring. The progrom focuses on supporting the whole child through physical health and well-being, youth empowerment, and skills in promoting healing.
  3. Summer Learning Experience (SLE)- Is a 4 week summer program for middle school young men of color. The program provides hands-on academic learning opportunities in Humanities, Math, Science and Health and Wellness.
  4. In-School Program Prepares African American young men and young men of color for individual success through instruction, advising, and mentoring. The program focuses on supporting the whole child through physical health and well-being, youth empowerment, and skills in promoting healing.
  5. Black Educators Institute Provides safe space, mentoring and professional development workshops for Black Educators to accelerate educational careers through curriculum development, classroom management, mentoring and family engagement.
  6. Parent Caf ACE provides parents/guardians of ACE young men a safe place to network, share experiences, advocated for their students, and build community.
  7. Community Leadership Circle ACE provides a safe space for Black male executive leaders in the Seattle-King County area to network, share resources, and advocate for our communities.

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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 May 2019.

    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 November 4, 2026.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Pace Academy Inc (Atlanta, GA), EIN 58-0706812. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.