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Maxwell Leadership Foundation Inc

EIN 82-1614152 · Duluth, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak36 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Maxwell Leadership Foundation is pioneering a values-based, evidence-driven, collaborative process of transformation. People around the globe remain frustrated and apathetic by the global leadership deficit. The foremost voice in leadership for over 40 years, Dr. John C. Maxwell, believes countries and communities will be transformed as the hearts of individuals are. The Maxwell Leadership Foundation gives individuals, companies, communities and nations a transformational leadership solution. Our work focuses on the growth of individuals into leaders who value people. These leaders in turn transform their spheres of influence.

Income
$10.3 million
Spending
$12.4 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
0.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
27
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$289,755, leadership expert / board member

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: 36 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 76% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (international, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    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 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. $5.5 million spent. National Transformation: We are currently serving in the countries of Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Paraguay, and Papua New Guinea. Utilizing values-based roundtables from our founder John Maxwell to transform hundreds of thousands of people in these countries. We also unite and inspire some of the most influential leaders to include members of the top 8 streams of influence in each country to launch transformational initiatives for their people.
  2. $3.9 million spent. Individual Transformation: We utilize value-based roundtables from our founder John Maxwell to transform hundreds of thousands of people in the community. Change Your World is a program developed out of John Maxwell and Rob Hoskins' book by the same title. The program takes users on a journey through values-based leadership curriculum, with the goal of equipping people as leaders with good values and a heart for intentionally making a difference in their world. iLead is our peer-to-peer values-based, people-centric leadership development content designed specifically for students. Since its launch in 2018, iLead has provided children and youth in 72+ countries with an opportunity to explore the power of their choices, actions and influence to make their world better and brighter.
  3. $1.5 million spent. Community Transformation: In countries too large for country transformation, we work in communities. Currently, we work primarily in the United States, and know community transformation will soon spread to the rest of the world. The approach is similar to country transformation. We utilize value-based roundtables from our founder John Maxwell to transform hundreds of thousands of people in the community. We also unite and inspire some of the most influential leaders in the community to launch transformational initiatives for their people.

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 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 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 January 2018.

    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.