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Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge

EIN 81-4639213 · La Crosse, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak30 out of 100GovernanceFair59 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OUR GOAL IS TO ENHANCE AND DEVELOP THE BLACK COMMUNITY BY ENGAGING IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES. FINANCIAL LITERACY OUR COMMUNITY MUST UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE "BLACK DOLLAR." WE AIM TO TEACH OTHERS HOW TO BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE AND THE BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH HOME OWNERSHIP, INVESTMENTS, ETC. YOUTH ENGAGEMENT OUR YOUTH NEED TO FEEL EMPOWERED TO BE APART OF THE COMMUNITY. WE ASSIST WITH THE CULTIVATION OF OUR FUTURE LEADERS, SCHOLARS, DOCTORS, ENTREPRENEURS, ETC. FAMILY FAMILY IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE COMMUNITY.WE ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO LEARN, GROW, AND HEAL TO HELP FOSTER A BETTER FAMILY DYNAMIC IN ORDER TO HELP BUILD A BETTER COMMUNITY. SPIRITUALITY IT IS IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT BLACK PEOPLE ARE SPIRITUALLY ROOTED AND WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS. WE HAVE TO GROW IN OUR UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE OF OUR CONNECTION TO THE WORLD IN A SPIRITUAL WAY. HEALTH & WELLNESS WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE THREE COMPONENTS OF WELLNESS: MI

Income
$730,049
Spending
$858,626
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 39%
Employees
11
Volunteers
10

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: 30 out of 100. Higher than 4% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 42% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 18% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 59 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 (4)
  1. $333,497 spent. THE RUNAWAY HOMELESS YOUTH (RHY) PROGRAM PROVIDES STAFF, SERVICE, AND EQUIPMENT FO THE RHY DROP IN CENTER TO HELP PROVIDE SERVICES FOR RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH
  2. $20,322 spent. THE PROJECT AWARENESS PROGRAM WORKS WITH HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS ON SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS AND THEY THEN BECOME MEMTORS TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
  3. $12,939 spent. SUMMER EXPERIENCE TAKES LOCAL STUDENTS FROM A DIVERSE BACKGROUND ON A TRIP TO VISIT HISTORICAL SITES, INCLUDING THOSE RELEVANT TO THEIR ANCESTORS EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA
  4. $307,138 spent. VARIOUS OTHER PROGRAMS

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2024 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2024.

    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? Worth knowing.

    Recognized by the IRS in January 2026. It is too new to have a track record.

    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.