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Lucky Jefferson

EIN 87-3213109 · Berwyn, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Lucky Jefferson is a literary nonprofit dedicated to amplifying the voices of modern readers through publishing, education, and community programming. The organization publishes print literary works, compensates 100% of contributors at fair rates, and provides free educational workshops in poetry, media literacy, and visual storytelling. Lucky Jefferson prioritizes writers and artists historically excluded from mainstream publishing including BIPOC, incarcerated, disabled, and multilingual creators.

Income
$89,457
Spending
$67,680
Reserves
5.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Highest pay
$14,500, president, executive director

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

Financial health

Good: 79 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.

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

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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. $38,482 spent. Publishing Lucky Jefferson published 4 literary works in 2025 including Cataclysma, Fissure, Estallido, and Making the World Soft. 69 contributors were published and compensated, including 18 incarcerated writers and artists across 3 carceral institutions.
  2. $8,266 spent. Hosted 13 free workshops including 6 virtual poetry workshops reaching 20+ states and 15+ countries, 3 media literacy workshops, and 4 in-person zine workshops serving 77 total participants.
  3. $15,475 spent. Photography Fellowship and Exhibition Description: Awarded first Photography Fellowship to Englewood photographer Brittany Norment in partnership with Buddy. Fellowship included mentorship, editorial support, and equipment access. Culminated in the Everyday Monuments exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center.
  4. $6,664 spent. Launched 15 West a resident and volunteer-powered neurodiverse-first community newsroom covering Chicagos West Side and neighboring suburbs. Fiscally sponsored program of Lucky Jefferson supported by Cook County Digital Equity Impact Grant and The Field Foundation.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 December 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 March 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.