Black Lemonade
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.
- Only 27% 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
Mission At Black Lemonade we provide ongoing support to underserved youth by educating and equipping them with the tools they need to reach their full potential. By investing in those who face systemic barriers we create pathways for all youth to thrive-because when we uplift the most vulnerable we strengthen the entire community.
- Income
- $411,600
- Spending
- $363,520
- Spent on programs
- 27%
- Reserves
- 1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 62%
- Employees
- 33
- Volunteers
- 0
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
Weak: 45 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 1.0 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 32% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 7% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1527% 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
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 28% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 250 of 14 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
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (3)
- $57,218 spent. A youth development program focused on leadership,self-confidence and community involvement through themed educational activities.It also functions as a service to engage youth in structured programming during the out of school timemonths.
- $39,075 spent. A youth program that provides mentorship and leadership skill-building during afterschool hours also serving as a service to support academic and personal development for students.
- $3,375 spent. a paid internship program designed to empower minority and underserved high school students by preparing them for a career field that continues to lack representation-technology. Throughout the program students explore multiple areas of tech including game design photography 3D design digital music and more. The latter part of the internship expands beyond technical training engaging students in specialized workshops mentorship and community partnerships. Interns connect with organizations leaders and mentors who guide them in navigating and shaping workplaces and schools. Students then apply their tech skills as a marketing and advocacy tool creating digital content that educates the broader community on the importance of leadership within the field
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
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 2025.
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 March 2022.
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.