We Rise a Nonprofit Corporation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
WE RISE IS DEVOTED TO THE CITY OF BALTIMORE THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT OF OUR YOUNG FUTURE LEADERS. WE RISE IS MOTIVATED AND DEDICATED TO PROVIDING COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND MENTORSHIP TO FUTURE GENERATIONS OF BALTIMOREANS. WE RISE YOUTH WILL PARTICIPATE IN REBUILDING VACANT AND DILAPIDATED HOMES THAT IS COSTING THE CITY TO KEEP THESE STRUCTURES STABILIZED. IN ADDITION, THE VACANT HOUSES ARE SAFETY HAZARDS AND AN EYESORE TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE CITY. WE RISE SEES THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD PERMANENCE AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY FOR FAMILIES THROUGH AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP. IN ADDITION, WE RISE WILL WORK TOWARDS ELIMINATING BLIGHT AND PROVIDE A PATH TO BUILDING A BETTER FINANCIAL FUTURE IN BALTIMORE'S INNER-CITY COMMUNITIES THROUGH HOMEOWNERSHIP. WE RISE YOUTH WORK WITH PROGRAM MENTORS TO GAIN FINANCIAL KNOWLEDGE AND INDEPENDENCE WHILE LEARNING ABOUT THE INTRICACIES AND PROCESSES OF BUSINESS, REAL ESTATE, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, LEADERSHIP, AND MENTORSHIP. WE RISE
- Income
- $40,463
- Spending
- $140,763
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 6.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 40
- Highest pay
- $4,000, executive director
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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (housing, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.4 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 68% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 248% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 49% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (housing, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 252 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
0 of 5Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
- $108,203 spent. WE RISE PARTNERS WITH INDIVIDUALS, COMPANIES, ORGANIZATIONS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN BALTIMORE CITY, THE GREAT STATE OF MARYLAND, AND TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, TO HELP ALL BUILD BETTER NEIGHBORHOODS IN BALTIMORE CITY. WE RISE WORKS WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS BY CONNECTING INDIVIDUALS WITH EDUCATIONAL, BUSINESS, AND FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS AND LEADERS. THESE CONNECTIONS PRESENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUAL GROWTH. WITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT, WE RISE HOMEOWNERS ACCOMPLISH THE EDUCATION AND CONFIDENCE NEEDED TO CREATE A HOLISTIC ENVIRONMENT FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES.
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
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2021.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.