I AM Underdog Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
I AM UNDERDOG (IAU) empowers young men and women to overcome adversity and realize their full potential through mentorship, leadership development, and real-world conversations that build confidence, discipline, and long-term success.
- Income
- $101,804
- Spending
- $69,381
- Reserves
- 5.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 67%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (2)
- $28,810 spent. In 2025, I AM UNDERDOG (IAU) provided mentorship, leadership development, and career exposureprograms to more than 400 students, coaches, and parents in the DMV region and Chicago. Programsdelivered through school and community partnerships increased participants confidence, engagement, and awareness of educational and career opportunities.
- Part III Line 28 Program Service Accomplishments In 2025, I AM UNDERDOG, INC. (IAU) completed its first official year of programming, delivering transformative experiences centered on confidence, mindset development, leadership, and mental wellness for student-athletes and young leaders across the DMV and Chicago regions. Through partnerships with 8 schools, universities, and youth programs, IAU directly engaged more than 485 students, student-athletes, and coaches, 90% of whom come from underserved communities, in workshops, team sessions, and leadership conversations designed to strengthen self-belief, build resilient mindsets, and develop future leaders. Partner Programs & Demographics Impacted Banner School (Chicago) - 20 students (all males; 18 African American) Susquehanna Township High School - 70 students (all males; 85% African American and Hispanic) and 10 coaches Elizabeth Seton High School - 150 students (all females; 95% African American and Hispanic) with 20 coaches and parents The SEED School - 50 students (all males; 95% African American and Hispanic) and coaches Next One Up Program - 80 students (all males; 95% African American) Towson University / Cristo Rey High School - 50 students (30 female, 20 males; 100% African American, Hispanic, and Indian) Coppin State University Basketball Team - 35 student-athletes (all males; 98% African American) and coaches Coppin State University Data Analytics Program - 20 students (10 female, 10 males; 100% African American) Across these engagements, IAU helped young people: Strengthen confidence in their identity and personal potential Develop a championship mindset rooted in resilience, discipline, and accountability Build leadership skills that translate from the classroom and locker room to their communities and future careers Mental Wellness & Safe Spaces for Dialogue A cornerstone of IAUs work is its Barbershop / Locker-room Talks, which focus on mental wellness and emotional resilience. These sessions create psychologically safe spaces where students can openly discuss the pressures, struggles, and challenges they face in school, sports, and life. By fostering trust, vulnerability, and authentic conversation, IAU encourages young people to talk, engage, and seek support rather than detach or isolate themselves. This work is especially important as suicide rates among young people continue to rise nationwide. Through these conversations, participants learn to: Express their struggles and challenges openly Support peers through shared experiences Develop healthy coping strategies and solution-focused thinking Build a community of trust, accountability, and support These dialogues are designed to break the silence around mental health, ensuring young people know they are not alone and that solutions and support systems exist. Building Momentum for 2026 To support continued impact, IAU hosted its inaugural fundraising event in Fall 2025, a vibrant evening featuring a live concert, tequila tasting, and tapas reception. During the program, Founder & CEO Tony Covington shared the organizations long-term vision to: Expand Barbershop / Locker-room Talks focused on mental wellness Launch Underdog University Establish IAU chapters in schools across the region Grow into an international movement empowering students and athletes The evening concluded with a powerful Mission Moment, generating commitments for 7 Barbershop / Locker-room Talks and securing funding for 10 total talks as IAU enters 2026. 2025 Impact by the Numbers 485+ students, student-athletes, and coaches impacted 8 partner schools and youth programs across two regions 90% of participants from underserved communities 10 Barbershop / Locker-room Talks funded for 2026 1 successful inaugural fundraising event launching future growth As IAU moves into 2026, the organization is positioned to expand its reach-equipping more young people with the confidence, mindset, leadership skills, and mental wellness support needed to manage their most valuable asset: themselves.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2020.
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.