Making the Right Connections Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MAKING THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS (MTRC) IS A 5/6 WEEK EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT SUMMER PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN IN GRADES K,K-8 THAT FOCUSES ON GANG PREVENTION. THE PURPOSE OF MTRC IS TO HELP INNER-CITY KIDS "AT-RISK" FOR GANG ASSOCIATIONS TO CHOOSE FAMILY, CHURCH, SCHOOL & COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS OVER GANG ACTIVITY.
- Income
- $252,414
- Spending
- $259,180
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 3.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 70%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 16
- Highest pay
- $27,999, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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)
- $109,024 spent. DURING THE SUMMER OF 2025, 505 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN OUR 4/5 WEEK (MONDAY-FRIDAY) EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT/GANG PREVENTION PROGRAM LOCATED AT 3 SCHOOL SITES: EAST LA (OUR LADY OF LOURDES SCHOOL), NORTHEAST LA (ST. BERNARD SCHOOL) AND LYNWOOD (ST. PHILIP NERI SCHOOL). CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN LESSONS RELATED TO STRENGTHENING THEIR FAMILY, CHURCH, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS. $109,024 WAS DISTRIBUTED TO THE ABOVE 3 SCHOOLS TO ASSIST THEM IN PAYING FOR COORDINATOR/TEACHER STIPENDS, CURRICULUM MATERIALS FOR TEACHERS, ACTIVITY MATERIALS FOR STUDENTS, GUEST SPEAKER FEES, FIELD TRIP ENTRANCE FEES, SNACKS AND LUNCHES FOR STUDENTS, OTHER PROGRAM MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES, ETC.
- $70,186 spent. DURING THE SUMMER PROGRAM OF 2025,IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS INCLUDED $20,428 IN YOUTH SERVICES (VOLUNTEERING), $15,300 FOR USE OF SCHOOL CAMPUSES FOR THE PROGRAM AT THEIR SCHOOL SITES, $25,000 FOR BREAKFAST/LUNCH MEALS & FOOD SERVICES AND $650 FOR STUDENT LIABILITY INSURANCE. IN ADDITION, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MTRC SPENT ABOUT 1/3 OF HIS TIME (1/3 OF SALARY =$9,333) PREPARING FOR AND RUNNING THE SUMMER PROGRAM.
- $30,853 spent. ALL OF THE 505 CHILDREN (GRADES K-8) ENROLLED IN THE MTRC SUMMER PROGRAM OF 2025 PARTICIPATED IN WEEKLY FIELD TRIPS (4/5 FIELD TRIPS PER SCHOOL SITE). MAKING THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS, INC. BUS COMPANY WAS PAID $30,853 FOR THE RENTAL OF THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF BUSES.
- $4,985 spent. ALL OF THE 505 CHILDREN (GRADES K, K-8) ENROLLED IN THE MTRC SUMMER PROGRAM OF 2025, ALONG WITH ALL THE COORDINATORS, TEACHERS, TAS AND VOLUNTEERS WORKING IN OUR PROGRAM ,WERE PROVIDED WITH A TEE SHIRT BEARING OUR MTRC LOGODESIGN ON THE FRONT (TOTAL COST FOR THE TEE SHIRTS =$4,984.50)
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1993.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.