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Creative Ladder

EIN 86-3255346 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CREATIVE LADDER STRIVES TO CONNECT, INSPIRE, AND ELEVATE AN INCLUSIVE NEW GENERATION OF CREATIVE INDUSTRY LEADERS. THE ORGANIZATION WORKS TO BUILD STRONGER, MORE RESILIENT CREATIVE WORKFORCES BY DEVELOPING, CONNECTING, AND RETAINING RISING TALENT BY PROVIDING LEADERSHIP TRAINING, MENTORSHIP, NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES, AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES TO THRIVE IN CREATIVE INDUSTRIES.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
51%
Reserves
9.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
6
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$208,546, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    51% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 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)
  1. $585,255 spent. SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPSTHROUGH BOTH IN-PERSON EVENTS AND VIRTUAL OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO ALL, THE CREATIVE LADDER CONNECTS EMERGING PROFESSIONALS WITH INSPIRING CREATIVE LEADERS VIA INTENTIONAL PROGRAMMING ON TOPICS SUCH AS CREATIVE INDUSTRY SKILLS, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND WELLBEING. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENTTHE CREATIVE LADDER'S FULLY VIRTUAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, RISING LEADERS ACADEMY, PROVIDES 6 MONTHS OF IMMENSELY VALUABLE LESSON PLANS, INTERACTIVE DISCUSSIONS, AND ACCESS TO INDUSTRY EXPERTS FOR RISING CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS WHO ASPIRE TO BE LEADERS IN THEIR INDUSTRIES.PEER AND DIVERSITY NETWORKSWE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RISING LEADERS TO LEARN AND FORM PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS WITH THE CREATIVE LADDER SUPPORTERS AT INDUSTRY CONFERENCES, JOINT EVENTS AND ACTIVATIONS.THE ORGANIZATION RECEIVED DONATED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND SPEAKER FEES IN SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS AND EVENTS TOTAL VALUE OF THESE SERVICES IS $66,500 WHICH IS NOT REFLECTED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE FORM 990.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 2022.

    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.