Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Colors Plus

EIN 82-4726625 · Westlake, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair55 out of 100GovernanceFair61 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO STRENGTHEN LGBTQ+ YOUTH AND FAMILIES THROUGH ADVOCACY, SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND CELBRATION. SINCE 2018, COLORS+ HAS BEEN BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR CUYAHOGA COUNTY'S LGBTQ+ YOUTH.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)COLORS+ OFFERS DIVERSE MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR LGBTQ+ YOUTH AS YOUNG AS 3 AND UP THROUGH AGE 19, WITH EVERY PROGRAM DESIGNED AND ADMINISTERED BY A TRAINED SPECIALIST. WE BELIEVE THAT SUPPORT THE ENTIRE FAMILY MEANS BETTER SUPPORT FOR EACH KID, SO WE OFFER PEER SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS. COLORS+ OFFFERS PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING AND TRAINING SERVICES, FOCUSED ON DIRECT SERVICE PROFESSIONS THAT REGULARLY INTERACT WITH LGBTQ+ YOUTH. ACCUMULATED VALUE OF VOLUNTEER HOURS: $26,084.10.

Income
$211,438
Spending
$316,453
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
5.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
4
Volunteers
52
Highest pay
$43,125, president

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

Fair: 55 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 50% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 49% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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: 61 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (youth development, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 8 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

    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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $232,900 spent. CONNECTIONS DROP-IN: 77 YOUTH SERVED. CONNECTIONS IS OUR FOUNDATIONAL PROGRAM, BUILT TO HONOR THE PRESSING NEED FOR PEER SUPPORT AMONG LGBTQ+ YOUTH. CONNECTIONS IS A DROP-IN PROGRAM, HOSTED ON WEEKDAY AFTERNOONS AS AN OPEN SPACE SO THAT YOUTH CAN ATTEND AFTER SCHOOL AND WHILE MAINTAINING OTHER SCHOOL AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. THIS PROGRAM FOCUSES ON EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, AND MENTAL WELLNESS SKILLS: WE OFFER JUDGEMENT-FREE SKILL BUILDING, PERSONAL CONNECTION AND COACHING, SELF-CARE PRACTICES, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP PEER RELATIONSHIPS IN A SAFE AND VALIDATING ENVIRONMENT. GAME NIGHTS: 25 YOUTH SERVED. THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS YOUTH TO ENGAGE IN PLAY AND PRACTICE SOCIALIZING SKILLS WITH (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) PEERS.ART THERAPY GROUPS: 54 YOUTH SERVED. YOUTH ARE ABLE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES CREATIVELY, CONNECCT WITH OTHER YOUTH, AND BUILD HEALTHY COPING SKILLS. FAMILY YOGA:25 YOUTH AND FAMILY MEMBERS SERVED. THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS YOUTH TO BE INVOLVED WITH GENTLE BODY MOVEMENTS AND BUILD PHYSICAL AND MENTAL STENGTH AND AWARENESS. CAMP P.O.W.E.R: 10 YOUTH SERVED. CAMP P.O.W.E.R PROVIDED YOUTH WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CHALLENGES AS WELL AS MENTAL HEALTH ACTIVITIES TO BUILD CONFIDENCE, PERSEVERANCE, SELF-ESTEEM, AND RESILIENCE TO FACE ALL OF LIFE'S CHALLENGES. WE ALSO PROVIDE TRAININGS TO OVER 600 COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ORGANIZATIONS AND ATTENDED NETWORKING EVENTS AND PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION TO OVER 20,000 PEOPLE AT NETWORKING EVENTS.TRAININGS: 626 INDIVIDUALS SERVED.

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 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 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.