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East Side Aligned

EIN 87-2961193 · E Saint Louis, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

East Side Aligned aims to create the conditions for all children and youth within the East St. Louis School District 189 footprint to be healthy and safe in their environments, socially connected and emotionally secure, successful in school, college, and work, and positively engaged in their community.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
2.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 55%
Employees
12
Volunteers
18
Highest pay
$81,375, executive dir.

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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 32% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    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 (4)
  1. $461,136 spent. Out-of-School Time - Provided facilitative leadership to the East St. Louis Youth Development Alliance, which serves over 1,000 children and youth. Recent achievements: Generated $1.8 million to expand access to high-quality programs; integrated mental health services across program sites; hosted the 9th annual YDA Summit to equip 100 youth development professionals with knowledge and tools to better support young people; and administered data and evaluation activities to assess impact and inform program improvements.
  2. $275,760 spent. Early Childhood - Provided facilitative leadership to the Greater East St. Louis Early Learning Partnership. Recent achievements: Developed a 3-year strategic plan and generated over $200k to implement strategies to increase services for children (0-5) who have been exposed to violence; increased family leadership and involvement in decision-making through sustaining two family councils; established a partnership with local PBS station to expand reach of early childhood resources to parents and providers; and held various events to celebrate young children, early childhood providers, and families and elevate the importance of early childhood development.
  3. $232,869 spent. Youth Voice and Leadership - Provide facilitative leadership to Leaving Our Voices Everywhere (LOVE), a youth-led group that organizes events and training opportunities to equip youth with knowledge and skills to increase civic engagement, foster healing and well-being, and position young people for various leadership roles. Recent achievements include: Trained 15 youth in trauma-informed practices and equipped them to provide trainings for their peers; hosted events to educate and dialogue with peers about community issues; and supported the planning and hosting of a community-wide event to connect over 200 people in opportunities to improve their community.
  4. $121,160 spent. YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH - Provided facilitative leadership to the Youth Mental Health and Wellness Coalition of St. Clair County, which works to improve the coordination, quality, and impact of services to support the well-being of young people. Recent achievements: Hosted convenings strengthen connections between families and service providers; obtained funding to establish a Family-Run Organization within our community; and developed a public awareness campaign to equip youth with tools and practices to improve well-being.

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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2022.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.