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Los Angeles Urban League

EIN 95-1691288 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak25 out of 100GovernanceGood75 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LOS ANGELES URBAN LEAGUE (LAUL) IS AN INDEPENDENT AFFILIATE OF THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE. THE LAUL WAS FOUNDED IN 1921 TO HELP AFRICAN AMERICANS AND OTHERS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES ACHIEVE THEIR HIGHEST TRUE SOCIAL PARITY, ECONOMIC SELF-RELIANCE, POWER, AND CIVIL RIGHTS. THE LEAGUE PROMOTES ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT THROUGH EDUCATION AND JOB TRAINING, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, HEALTH, AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$4.2 million
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
-0.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
18
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$258,911, president & ceo

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: 25 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 81% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% 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

Good: 75 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    28 of 28 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $981,040 spent. ENTREPRENEURSHIP:INTUIT IDEAS: THE INTUIT INVEST, DEVELOP, EMPOWER, ACCELERATE, SCALE (IDEAS) SUPPORTS LOCALLY OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES REPRESENTING A GEOGRAPHICALLY DIVERSE CROSS-SECTION OF LOS ANGELES.THE PROGRAM GRADUATED 26 BUSINESSES WITH 190 HOURS OF BUSINESS COUNSELING SUPPORT.HOSPITALITY COUNSELING BY PEPSI: HOSPITALITY COUNSELING PROVIDES SUPPORT TO EXISTING RESTAURANT AND FOOD SERVICE BUSINESSES TO IMPROVE AND PROFESSIONALIZE THEIR OPERATIONS THROUGH BASIC AND ADVANCED SKILLS TRAINING. THE PROGRAM SERVICED 7 BUSINESSES WITH 53 HOURS OF BUSINESS COUNSELING SUPPORT.ELEVATE TOGETHER BY OFFICE DEPOT: ELEVATE TOGETHER PROVIDES SUPPORT TO SMALL BUSINESSES WHO HAVE FIVE EMPLOYEES OR LESS. IT IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT BUSINESS GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY, AND COMPANIES ARE ASSESSED IF THEY HAVE POTENTIAL TO SCALE. $5,000 AWARDS ARE PROVIDED TO PARTICIPANTS. THE PROGRAM SERVICED 7 BUSINESSES WITH 109 HOURS OF BUSINESS COUNSELING.BUSINESS COUNSELING: THE LOS ANGELES URBAN LEAGUE BUSINESS COUNSELORS PROVIDE SMALL BUSINESS COUNSELING WORKING WITH ENTREPRENEURS AND EMERGING BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO HELP THEM SCALE AND ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN THEIR MARKET. THE PROGRAM SERVICED 343 BUSINESSES WITH 774 HOURS OF BUSINESS COUNSELING.URBAN CAPITAL READINESS PROGRAM: THE MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (MBDA) URBAN CAPITAL READINESS PROGRAM PROVIDES ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESSES WITH BUSINESS TRAINING, NETWORKING, AND ACCESS TO CAPITAL TO ASSIST THEM IN STARTING AND GROWING THEIR BUSINESS. THE PROGRAM SERVICED 82 BUSINESSES WITH 300 HOURS OF BUSINESS COUNSELING.
  2. $757,332 spent. EDUCATION:PROJECT READY: PROJECT READY PROVIDES ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT SUPPORT, SOCIO-EMOTIONAL EDUCATION, AND COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS FOR LOS ANGELES COUNTY YOUTH. THE PROGRAM SERVICED 88 PARTICIPANTS EXCEEDING A TARGET OF 75.BIZ CAMP: BIZ CAMP IS A 4-WEEK ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUMMER CAMP WHERE STUDENTS DEVELOP BUSINESS IDEAS AND TURN THEM INTO REALITY THROUGH PLANNING, ANALYSIS, AND REAL-WORLD APPLICATION. THE PROGRAM SERVICED 42 PARTICIPANTS EXCEEDING A TARGET OF 40.BIZ INSTITUTE: BIZ INSTITUTE IS A YEARLONG "ADVANCED CLASS" OF BIZ CAMP. STUDENTS ENGAGE IN A CURRICULUM THAT TEACHES TRADITIONAL BUSINESS START-UP SKILLS AND PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR REGIONAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMPETITIONS. THE PROGRAM SERVICED 30 PARTICIPANTS EXCEEDING A TARGET OF 25.OCEANOGRAPHY: THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH UC SAN DIEGO AND SCRIPPS COLLEGE, THE SCHOOLS HOST A 5-DAY RESIDENTIAL SCIENCE PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, IGNITING CURIOSITY ABOUT THE EARTH - OCEAN SYSTEM THROUGH A FUN-FILLED CAMPUS EXPERIENCE. THE PROGRAM SERVICED 35 PARTICIPANTS.BLACK HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION: THE LOS ANGELES URBAN LEAGUES BLACK HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION HONORS GRADUATES WITH SCHOLARSHIPS, STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS, CELEBRITY GUESTS, SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS, AND NOTABLE CULTURAL, POLITICAL, AND ACADEMIC LEADERS. THE PROGRAM SERVICED 420 PARTICIPANTS EXCEEDING A TARGET OF 250.
  3. $873,233 spent. WORKFORCE:CONSTRUCTION CAREER ACADEMY:THE LOS ANGELES URBAN LEAGUE WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOCALGAS, THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BUILDING TRADES ASSOCIATION, AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION TRADE AND UTILITY UNIONS TO INCREASE COMMUNITY ACCESS TO APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS. THE PROGRAM SERVICED 83 PARTICIPANTS EXCEEDING A TARGET OF 50.HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE:IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UCLA HEALTH, OUR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM OFFERS TRAINEES THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANTS IN 12 MONTHS AND GUARANTEES JOB PLACEMENT AT ONE OF UCLA'S NINE HOSPITAL AND CLINICAL SITES. THE PROGRAM SERVICED 22 PARTICIPANTS.BACKSTAGE CAREERS:BACKSTAGE CAREERS PROVIDES TRAINING AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN WORKING "BEHIND THE SCENES" JOBS: TECHNICAL CREW ROLES IN PRODUCTION FOR FILM, TELEVISION, AND LIVE EVENTS.CAREER FAIRS AND CORPORATE RECRUITING EVENTS:THESE EVENTS CONNECT JOB SEEKERS WITH EMPLOYERS, OFFERING JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES AND PARTNERING WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES TO IDENTIFY JOB OPPORTUNITIES. ONGOING SERVICES INCLUDE RESUME BUILDING, INTERVIEW PREPARATION, AND NETWORKING ASSISTANCE. THE CAREER FAIRS SERVICED 702 PARTICIPANTS EXCEEDING A TARGET OF 500. CORPORATERECRUITING EVENTS ENGAGED 189 PARTICIPANTS EXCEEDING A TARGET OF 150.UPSKILLING:UPSKILLING PROVIDES INDIVIDUALIZED CAREER COUNSELING AND COACHING SERVICES TO ASSIST JOB SEEKERS IN NAVIGATING THE JOB MARKET, IDENTIFYING THEIR STRENGTHS AND INTERESTS, SETTING CAREER GOALS, AND DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES.
  4. $22,500 spent. WILDFIRE RELIEF GRANTS

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 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 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 July 1945.

    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.

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.