Friends of L a C E S
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
FRIENDS OF L.A.C.E.S. SUPPORTS LOS ANGELES CENTER FOR ENRICHED STUDIES (L.A.C.E.S) BY SUPPLEMENTING STAFFING, RESOURCES, EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES NOT PROVIDED BY THE LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
- Income
- $375,145
- Spending
- $318,786
- Spent on programs
- 97%
- Reserves
- 25.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 85%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 0
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 25.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1597% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 32% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
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 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 (3)
- $207,331 spent. DEPARTMENT SUPPORT - EXPENSES MADE FOR TRANSPORTATION, TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT, CAMPUS AIDES, ANTI-PLAGIARISM SOFTWARE AND OTHER ITEMS OF THIS KIND.
- $23,937 spent. EDUCATION & ATHLETICS - THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE SUPPORT IN VARIOUS WAYS. ATHLETIC EXPENSES ARE MADE FOR ITEMS LIKE UNIFORMS, WARM UP OUTFITS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS SPORTS TEAMS AND TOURNAMENT FEES. EDUCATION EXPENSES SUPPORT SUBSTANTIVE AND ENRICHMENT COURSES BY PROVIDING BOOKS, SUPPLIES, WORKBOOKS AND SNACKS.
- $56,537 spent. AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS/ACTIVITIES - INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS CLUBS (JAPANESE, FRENCH, MOCK TRIAL, ETC.) AND EXPENSES TO SUPPORT ENRICHMENT TRIPS TO PLACES LIKE YOSEMITE, MAGIC MOUNTAIN AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDING THE 8TH GRADE CULMINATION.
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
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 June 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 November 1997.
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.