Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Hbcu Cares

EIN 85-3199841 · Montgomery, AL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To unite a coalition of Historically Black Colleges, Community Colleges, and Universities to collaboratively harness research, expertise, and programs that create meaningful economic and workforce opportunities.

Income
$853,529
Spending
$603,900
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
15.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 90%
Employees
1
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$114,203, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 84% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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 (4)
  1. $84,500 spent. Innovators Fellowship & Legacy Launchpad is an entrepreneurship and innovation accelerator program designed to support students and recent alumni from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Historically Black Community Colleges (HBCCs). The fellowship provides participants with business development training, mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to resources that help transform innovative ideas into viable businesses and community-based solutions. During the program, fellows participate in workshops focused on entrepreneurship, leadership, financial literacy, business planning, and innovation. Participants also receive coaching from industry professionals and have opportunities to pitch their ventures for seed funding and other support.
  2. $75,000 spent. State Agency Talent Pipeline - The State Agency Talent Pipeline Grant Initiative is a workforce development program designed to strengthen connections between Alabama state agencies and students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Historically Black Community Colleges (HBCCs). Through institutional grants and strategic partnerships, the initiative supports career fairs, professional development workshops, internship opportunities, employer engagement activities, and workforce readiness programming. The program helps students gain exposure to careers in state government while assisting agencies in recruiting and developing a diverse and highly skilled workforce. By creating pathways to employment and increasing awareness of public sector career opportunities, the initiative advances HBCU C.A.R.E.S. mission of workforce development, economic empowerment, and expanding opportunities for students across Alabama.
  3. $6,000 spent. Birmingham Executive Class - The Executive Director participated in the Birmingham Executive Class through Momentum Leaders, a professional development and leadership training program designed to strengthen executive leadership, strategic planning, community engagement, and organizational effectiveness. The program provided opportunities for leadership development, peer learning, and collaboration with professionals from diverse sectors across Alabama. Participation in the program enhanced the Executive Directors ability to lead HBCU C.A.R.E.S., strengthen partnerships, expand organizational capacity, and advance the organizations mission of supporting workforce development, educational opportunity, and economic growth throughout the state.
  4. $339,647 spent. All other program costs incurred to carry out its mission.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 2025.

    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 2021.

    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.