Brilliance and Excellence NFP
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Brilliance and Excellence Movement exists to showcase the brilliance and excellence of boys and young men of color while working to promote safe and peaceful communities. The movements work centers on elevating opportunity highlighting positive outcomes and uplifting community narratives in ways that foster safety belonging and purposeful growth for youth of color. Brilliance and Excellence serves as the backbone organization for MBK CHICAGO under the broader My Brothers Keeper Alliance framework supported by the Obama Foundation. In that role it coordinates cross-sector support and community engagement aligned with MBKs goals of ensuring young men of color have the environments resources and support systems needed to thrive.
- Income
- $265,100
- Spending
- $240,782
- Spent on programs
- 54%
- Reserves
- 0 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 0
- Highest pay
- $12,800, ceo
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
Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 664% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1554% 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
Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
5 of 252 of 8 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $118,279 spent. MBK Convenings: In 2025 Brilliance and Excellence directed the majority of its program service resources toward planning hosting and facilitating MBK Chicago convenings. These convenings brought together community based organizations schools faith leaders public agencies philanthropy and corporate partners to coordinate services for boys and young men of color. Activities included structured strategy sessions data and outcome alignment program certification guidance and shared learning focused on mentoring safety mental health and workforce pathways. The purpose of the convenings was to strengthen cross sector collaboration align partners to MBK milestones reduce duplication of services and accelerate systems level impact across Chicago.
- $8,047 spent. MBK Regional Meetings: Facilitated 15 city wide meetings for organizations schools and students to engage and empower youth to continue in safe and peaceful communities.
- $3,500 spent. Brilliance and Excellence March & Opportunity Fair for 1,000 Boys and Young Men of Color on the South side of Chicago.
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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2023.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.