Lemonade Circle
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 18% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Our primary benefit is to provide an educational service to young women in grades 5th- 12th grade to use life's lemons to #makeLEMONADE. We do that by providing our girls with opportunities to explore and engage in activities that address civic engagement, college and career readiness, STEM, literacy and the arts, and identity and wellness.
- Income
- $258,902
- Spending
- $107,916
- Spent on programs
- 18%
- Reserves
- 20.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 12
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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 20.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 58% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1518% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 83 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $8,756 spent. Identity & Wellness Initiatives - including the Annual Fashion Show, Wellness Workshops, Community Drives, and School-Based Support The Lemonade Circle remains deeply committed to addressing the lack of culturally responsive mental health resources and overall wellness support for young women of color-one of the core "lemons" we strive to transform. Our Mental Health & Wellness programming takes a holistic, community-centered approach that meets youth and their families where they are, through a variety of meaningful and affirming initiatives. Our Annual Fashion Show is a signature event that empowers girls to express themselves, build confidence, and embrace their unique identities while promoting positive body image and self-esteem. In addition, our Mental Health & Wellness Workshops provide safe spaces to explore topics such as anxiety, self-care, healthy relationships, and emotional regulation. These sessions are often facilitated by licensed professionals and take place in schools, community centers, and youth spaces throughout the year. We proudly partner with Purple Couch Therapy to offer our members and their families discounted therapy sessions and year-round access to mental health resources, creating pathways to healing that are affordable and culturally affirming. In collaboration with San Antonio Sports and Entertainment, we offer seasonal workshops and clinics where girls learn how sports and physical activity can positively impact mental health, further reinforcing the connection between movement, mindset, and self-worth. To support wellness beyond emotional health, we also lead critical community initiatives, including: Our Annual Lemonade Circle Blood Drive with the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, empowering youth to give back and raise awareness about the importance of blood donation in communities of color. Our Annual Lemon Angel Tree program, which provides personalized gifts and essentials to families in need during the holiday season. Our adopted campus partnership in Judson ISD, where we distribute Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to families from underserved communities. A feminine hygiene product initiative that ensures girls in under-resourced schools have access to essential items, helping them attend school confidently and consistently. Together, these initiatives represent a broad and intentional effort to support the identity, mental health, and overall wellness.
- $7,451 spent. STEM Empowerment Initiatives - including GENES-SiS, Annual STEM Summit, and Partnership with UT Health Science Center The Lemonade Circle recognizes the persistent underrepresentation of young women of color in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields-an identified "lemon" that drives our mission to create equitable pathways and culturally affirming exposure to these disciplines. Through our STEM initiative, we provide hands-on, real-world experiences that build both competence and confidence in STEM. Our flagship GENES-SiS (Girls Engaged in Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Space Innovation - Science in the Summer) program is designed to introduce middle and high school girls to biomedical research, public health, and technology by engaging them in inquiry-based learning and mentoring from professionals in STEM fields. Participants explore topics such as genetics, environmental science, and data analysis, with a focus on how science intersects with social justice and community impact. The Annual STEM Summit brings together girls from across the region for an immersive day of STEM exploration, networking, and skill development. The summit features workshops, panel discussions, and interactive sessions led by women of color working in STEM industries. It is designed to demystify STEM careers and provide participants with tools to visualize themselves in these spaces. Our ongoing community partnership with the UT Health Science Center's Department of Pediatrics allows students to engage in real-world STEM applications through facility tours, mentorship, and joint programming that bridges classroom knowledge with medical and health science careers. Together, these programs are dismantling barriers to access and building a pipeline of empowered young women ready to pursue higher education and careers in STEM-fields where their voices and perspectives are critically needed.
- $2,599 spent. College and Career Readiness The Lemonade Circle is committed to closing the opportunity gap for young women of color by addressing the lack of resources and representation in the area of college and career readiness-a key "lemon" identified by our organization. Our programming in this area is designed to equip high school students, particularly juniors and seniors, with the tools, confidence, and exposure they need to successfully transition into higher education and the professional world. Our Annual Summer Content Queens program provides participants with digital literacy and personal branding skills, guiding them through the creation of professional online content, portfolios, and social media presence that reflect their academic and career goals. This program emphasizes digital storytelling, self-promotion, and responsible online engagement. The Annual Senior Celebration honors the accomplishments of graduating seniors and recognizes their unique journeys while reinforcing a sense of belonging and encouragement as they prepare to take their next steps in life. Each participant is celebrated as a trailblazer in her own right. To ensure our girls are professionally prepared and represented, we provide Senior Headshots at no cost, allowing them to have high-quality photos for use in college applications, scholarship submissions, and professional profiles. This is paired with LinkedIn profile creation and résumé-building support, where participants learn how to articulate their skills, experiences, and leadership in ways that resonate with admissions officers and employers. These efforts not only help our members stand out in competitive spaces but also provide them with tools and experiences often unavailable to their peers in under-resourced communities
- $829 spent. Civic Engagement - including Boysville Birthday Celebrations, Service with A Fresh Foundation, Communities Under the Bridge, and Gardopia Gardens Through our Civic Engagement initiative, The Lemonade Circle addresses the lack of meaningful, consistent opportunities for young women of color to serve their communities and develop leadership through acts of service-one of the key "lemons" we've identified in our mission to amplify the voices and impact of our members. For over eight years, we have maintained a cherished partnership with Boysville, a foster care facility in San Antonio, where our members host birthday celebrations for youth who may not have the opportunity to be with their families. These celebrations include birthday cakes, gifts, food, and interactive activities for all the children in the shelter. This initiative not only brings joy and a sense of belonging to Boysville residents but also empowers our members to lead with empathy and community care. We have also partnered with A Fresh Foundation and Communities Under the Bridge to provide meals and support to individuals experiencing homelessness. Our members have volunteered to serve meals and engage directly with unhoused community members, cultivating compassion and awareness around issues of housing insecurity and poverty. Additionally, our collaboration with Gardopia Gardens has allowed members to contribute to the upkeep of community gardens in neighborhoods labeled as "food deserts." In a special project that aligns deeply with our mission, we planted twenty-two lemon trees at a local campus, symbolizing our commitment to sustainability and our belief that young women can "make lemonade" from the challenges they face. These civic engagement opportunities foster a culture of service, leadership, and social responsibility among our members while addressing critical community needs. They provide representation, visibility, and purpose to girls who are often excluded from traditional leadership pipelines.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since October 2019.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.