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Rise Academy

EIN 83-0583165 · Omaha, NE

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RISE ACADEMY'S MISSION IS TO BREAK GENERATIONAL CYCLES OF INCARCERATION.

Income
$4.9 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
10.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
35
Volunteers
159
Highest pay
$216,943, ceo

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 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 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. $839,564 spent. RISE ACADEMY'S IN-PRISON PROGRAM IS A SIX MONTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP, EMPLOYMENT READINESS AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAM THAT PREPARES INCARCERATED MEN, WOMEN, AND YOUTH NOT JUST FOR SUCCESSFUL RE-ETNRY, BUT ALSO FOR "LIFE BEYOND RE-ENTRY."
  2. $1.1 million spent. RISE ACADEMY'S RE-ENTRY PROGRAM OFFERS PROGRAM GRADUATES CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT UPON RELEASE. POST-RELEASE SERVICES INCLUDE RE-ENTRY PLANNING, JOB READINESS TRAINING AND SUPPORT FINDING HOUSING.
  3. $922,842 spent. RISE ACADEMY'S POLICY & ADVOCACY CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SYSTEM IMPACTED PEOPLE TO HAVE THEIR CONCERNS AND IDEAS VOICED AND HEARD DURING THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, BRING TOGETHER PEOPLE IMPACTED BY THE SYSTEM, ORGANIZATIONS, AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS TO CREATE A COALITION TO WORK IN SOLIDARITY TO ADVOCATE FOR CHANGES IN THE NEBRASKA CRIMINAL JUSTICE LANDSCAPE AND THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY THE SYSTEM. LOBBY SUCCESSFULLY FOR POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE CHANGES AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT THAT IMPACT THE DAILY LIVES OF PEOPLE IMPACTED BY THE SYSTEM AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL OUTCOMES THAT INCLUDE EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, EDUCATION, LIVING CONDITIONS AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION, AND PROVIDE THE RESOURCES, SKILLS, TRAINING AND BUILT CAPACITY TO MAINTAIN POLICY AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2019.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.