Build 2 Lead
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO EMPOWER, ENGAGE, AND EDUCATE BIPOC YOUTH, THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES
- Income
- $666,293
- Spending
- $697,534
- Spent on programs
- 67%
- Reserves
- 1.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 25
- Highest pay
- $113,346, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1566% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Weak: 16 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
0 of 250 of 1 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 January 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 (1)
- $463,860 spent. List of accomplishments for 2024:- Total youth served: 450 in the South King and Pierce County Areas- Total Hours of youth programming and mentorship: 500 hours- Program Outcomes: Provided Civic-Engagement Training for 30 youth, Workforce Development Pre-apprenticeship training for 25 youth, After school social and emotional programming for 22 youth and summer learning experiences for 25 youth. Provided experiential healthcare opportunities for 300 youth. Provided safe spaces and community engagement opportunities for 50 youthClosing the G.A.P:In partnership with ROOTS of Success, Closing the G.A.P. provides students ages 16-24 with access to over 100 hours of work development training. Students graduate with resumes, interview experience, business plans, and industry credentials. Outcomes include school completion (high school diploma or equivalent), retaining a job, and enrollmentinto post-secondary education or advanced training.Civic-Champions: Middle and high school aged youth learn about the power of advocacy within the various levels of government, the School-to-Prison Pipeline, the systems of education, healthcare, and criminal justice, and form Youth Executive Committees that assist in helping to launch and or facilitate restorative practices in participating partner schools.Gamechangers Summer Academy:Also known as the Gamechangers Summer Leadership Academy or GSLA, this 6-8 week summer learning academy is designed for middle school aged youth to experience field trips, career site visits, and physical fitness workshops. GSLA focuses on creating innovative summer programming that introduces youth to college readiness, career readiness, leadership development and life skills.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending January 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 November 6, 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 January 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 October 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 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.