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Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy Charter School

EIN 81-3554882 · Brooklyn, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BELA'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER EACH YOUNG WOMAN TO BE THE BEST VERSION OF HERSELF. THROUGH A RIGOROUS COLLEGE PREPARATORY CURRICULUM, SERVICE LEARNING INITIATIVES, AND A COMMITMENT TO CULTIVATING A SPIRIT OF RESILIENCE WITHIN EACH YOUNG WOMAN, BELA STUDENTS WILL ATTEND AND GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE.

Income
$5.0 million
Spending
$5.3 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
3.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 95%
Employees
44
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$228,969, head of school

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $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

    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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $4.5 million spent. BROOKLYN EMERGING LEADERS ACADEMY (BELA) WAS FOUNDED WITH A DEEP COMMITMENT TO EXPANDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE YOUNG WOMEN OF THE BEDFORD-STUYVESANT COMMUNITY. ROOTED IN THE BELIEF THAT EVERY STUDENT POSSESSES BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL, BELA PROVIDES A TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT DESIGNED TO INSPIRE, CHALLENGE, AND EMPOWER.AT BELA, WE CULTIVATE A CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE THAT NURTURES INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY, LEADERSHIP, AND RESILIENCE. OUR PROGRAM EQUIPS STUDENTS WITH THE ACADEMIC FOUNDATION AND PERSONAL CONFIDENCE NEEDED TO THRIVE IN HIGH SCHOOL, EXCEL IN COLLEGE, AND EMBARK ON FULFILLING CAREERS. BY FOSTERING A SUPPORTIVE AND DYNAMIC EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE, WE SET OUR STUDENTS ON A TRAJECTORY FOR LIFELONG SUCCESSENSURING THEY EMERGE AS LEADERS READY TO SHAPE THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THE WORLD.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 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 December 2016.

    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.

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.