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Circles Cobb Inc

EIN 88-2794203 · Atlanta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CIRCLES COBB BUILDS COMMUNITY TO END POVERTY THROUGH INTENTIONAL FRIENDSHIPS, PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION, AND SYSTEMIC CHANGE LED BY THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO THE CHALLENGE.

Income
$243,946
Spending
$214,765
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
9.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
16
Volunteers
106

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

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% 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: 62 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (human services, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 17 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $150,335 spent. CIRCLES COBB EMPOWERS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES LIVING AT OR BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINE TO ACHIEVE ECONOMIC MOBILITY THROUGH INTENTIONAL FRIENDSHIPS, FINANCIAL EDUCATION, CAREER ADVANCEMENT, AND LONG-TERM SUPPORT. PARTICIPANTS IN OUR FIRST COHORT ACHIEVED AN AVERAGE INCOME INCREASE OF MORE THAN 90% WITHIN 21 MONTHS.EACH PARTICIPANT IS PAIRED WITH TRAINED VOLUNTEER MENTORS WHO PROVIDE ENCOURAGEMENT, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND SOCIAL CAPITAL AS FAMILIES WORK TOWARD PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL GOALS. WEEKLY PROGRAMMING INCLUDES MEALS, CHILDCARE, FINANCIAL LITERACY, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND GOAL COACHING DESIGNED TO REDUCE BARRIERS AND PROMOTE LONG-TERM STABILITY, ALL AT NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS.
  2. $32,215 spent. THROUGH ITS TWO-YEAR PROGRAM, CIRCLES COBB PROVIDES PRACTICAL SUPPORTS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY. IN ADDITION TO WEEKLY COACHING AND RELATIONSHIP-BASED SUPPORT, PARTICIPANTS HAVE ACCESS TO MATCHED SAVINGS OPPORTUNITIES THAT HELP BUILD EMERGENCY SAVINGS AND ACHIEVE FINANCIAL GOALS, LOW-INTEREST EMERGENCY LOANS DURING PERIODS OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, AND AFFORDABLE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING SERVICES FOR BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN.ADDITIONAL SUPPORT MAY INCLUDE TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, CAREER DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES, FINANCIAL COACHING, AND CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT HELP FAMILIES MOVE FROM STRIVING TO THRIVING.
  3. $32,215 spent. THROUGH ITS BIG VIEW INITIATIVE, CIRCLES COBB WORKS TO ADDRESS SYSTEMIC BARRIERS TO ECONOMIC MOBILITY IDENTIFIED BY PARTICIPANTS, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS, HOUSING INSTABILITY, AND EVICTION PREVENTION. IN 2025, PARTICIPANT-LED DISCUSSIONS RESULTED IN COMMUNITY RESILIENCY MODEL TRAINING FOR PARTICIPANTS, STAFF, AND VOLUNTEERS, EQUIPPING FAMILIES WITH PRACTICAL STRESS-MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES THAT CAN BE USED AND TAUGHT AT HOME.PARTICIPANTS ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO PUBLIC EDUCATION EFFORTS THROUGH MENTAL HEALTH PODCAST DISCUSSIONS AND THE CREATION OF COMMUNITY EVICTION PREVENTION VIDEOS DESIGNED TO EDUCATE FAMILIES AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY ON HOUSING STABILITY, EVICTION PREVENTION, TENANT RIGHTS, AND PATHWAYS TO RECOVERY.

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 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 November 6, 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 July 2023.

    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 November 4, 2026.

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