Form 990 for tax year 2024

Totals

Total revenue

$7,525,763

Total expenses

$11,063,892

Contributions and grants received

$5,190,676

Grants paid

$2,252,055

Program service revenue

$0

Investment income

-$13,965

Other revenue

$2,349,052

Total assets, end of year

$25,521,228

Total liabilities, end of year

$4,561,414

Net assets or fund balances, end of year

$20,959,814

Program services expenses (Part IX)

$9,015,640

Management and general expenses

$2,048,252

Fundraising expenses

$0

Program service expenses (Part III)

$9,015,640

Program services were 81.5% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Mission and programs · 2024

• THE I PROMISE SCHOOL: LEBRON'S MISSION TO RAISE GRADUATION RATES IN HIS HOMETOWN OF AKRON, OHIO, HAS EVOLVED INTO A MOVEMENT THAT IS REDEFINING WHAT FAMILY AND COMMUNITY LOOKS LIKE. AFTER A DECADE OF LEARNING AND LISTENING TO THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IT SERVES, THE FOUNDATION'S "WE ARE FAMILY" PHILOSOPHY MANIFESTED IN THE OPENING OF THE I PROMISE SCHOOL IN 2018 THAT PRIORITIZES SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND LEADING WITH LOVE ALONGSIDE A STEM-BASED CURRICULUM. AS PART OF ITS GROUNDBREAKING MODEL FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IPS MAINTAINS A FULL-TIME, ON-SITE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER THAT PROVIDES WIDE-RANGING SERVICES FOR ALL STUDENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS INCLUDING LEGAL AID, MEDICAL CARE, GED CLASSES, FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMMING, JOB & FAMILY SERVICES, AND A FULL-TIME FOOD AND ESSENTIALS PANTRY. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION OFFSETS THE COST OF ADDITIONAL EDUCATORS TO KEEP CLASS SIZE AND STUDENT TO TEACHER RATIOS LOW FOR A MORE EFFICIENT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. IN AN EFFORT TO SUPPORT THE IPS EDUCATORS DURING THIS HARD WORK, THE FOUNDATION REGULARLY COVERS THE COST OF CLASSROOM AND PROJECT SUPPLIES AND PROVIDES ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS TO PRIORITIZE THEIR WELL-BEING AS THEY POUR SO MUCH INTO THEIR STUDENTS. MOST RECENTLY, IPS INTRODUCED SPORTS AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM. THE FOUNDATION FULLY FUNDS THE ENTIRE SPORTS PROGRAM AT IPS WHICH INCLUDES COACHES, UNIFORMS, FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, MEALS, INSURANCE, BANQUESTS, AND TEAM BUILDING. THE FOUNDATION IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO SUPPORT THE IMPORTANT WORK BEING DONE AT IPS.

  Expenses $3,077,577 · Grants $2,252,055

• HOUSE THREE THIRTY: ON MARCH 30, 2023 ("330 DAY), LJFF OFFICIALLY OPENED THE DOORS TO HOUSE THREE THIRTY, AN INNOVATIVE, MULTI-USE SPACE FOR I PROMISE FAMILIES AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO GATHER AND ENGAGE IN IMMEDIATELY IMPACTFUL PROGRAMMING. HOUSE THREE THIRTY CONVENES CRITICAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES UNDER ONE ROOF INCLUDING FAMILY FINANCIAL HEALTH PROGRAMMING THAT IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE AND TAILORED TO HELP FAMILIES TAKE CONTROL OF THEIR FINANCIAL FUTURES. JOB TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE VENUE'S VARIED RETAIL, DINING AND EVENT SPACES, DESIGNED TO HELP I PROMISE PARENTS, GUARDIANS AND FAMILY MEMBERS DEVELOP GREATER BUSINESS EXPERIENCE AND PREPARE THEM FOR FUTURE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. HOUSE THREE THIRTY ALSO SERVES AS A COMMUNITY GATHERING SPACE FOR LARGE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR EVENTS, MONTHLY MEALS, FAMILY PROGRAMMING AND IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS NEEDED TO MOVE THE COMMUNITY AND COUNTRY FORWARD.

  Expenses $2,548,393

• LJFF HOSPITALITY: WITHIN THE WALLS OF HOUSE THREE THIRTY, CHANGE IS BEING MADE THROUGH THE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES I PROMISE FAMILY MEMBERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CULTIVATE NEW SKILLS AND ENGAGE IN JOB TRAINING TO GAIN MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT AND WORK EXPERIENCE. WITH SPECIALLY DEVISED INDUSTRY CURRICULUM DELIVERED BY COACHES AND OTHER INDUSTRY EXPERTS, THE FIRST COHORT OF STUDENTS ARE LEARNING IN A WE ARE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT THAT MEETS THEM WHERE THEY ARE, MAKING THEIR LONG-HELD ACADEMIC AND CAREER GOALS ACCESSIBLE. IT IS AN EDUCATIONAL MOVEMENT THAT BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS AND RECOGNIZES THAT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL APPROACH MAY NOT WORK FOR ALL FAMILIES. THE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM BEGAN WITH EIGHT WEEKS OF TRAINING FOR TEAM MEMBERS COMMITTED TO WE ARE FAMILY TRAINING CAMP WITH SPECIALTY CURRICULUM DELIVERED ALONGSIDE INDUSTRY EXPERTS. A PARTICULAR FOCUS IS ALSO PLACED ON LIFE SKILLS INCLUDING LEADERSHIP, COMMUNICATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY, SKILLS THAT ARE TRANSFERRABLE TO ALL FACETS OF LIFE. UPON COMPLETING ALL SECTORS OF TRAINING CAMP, OUR FIRST OFFICIAL COHORT OF TEAM MEMBERS CONTINUE LEARNING IN REAL-WORLD SETTINGS, PROVIDING VARIOUS SERVICES AVAILABLE WITHIN HOUSE THREE THIRTY. AS THEY PRACTICE AND MASTER SKILLS ACROSS DIFFERENT SECTORS, THEY ARE BEGINNING TO DEVELOP THEIR PASSION AND BUILD CONFIDENCE. THIS INNOVATIVE JOB TRAINING EXPERIENCE ALLOWS THEM TO CONTINUE PROVIDING FOR THEIR FAMILIES WHILE THEY PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION AND CULTIVATE VALUABLE JOB EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING. DAY-TO-DAY, THE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM IS ADMINISTERED BY FIVE COACHES THAT OVERSEE TEAM MEMBERS SCHEDULES, ADMINISTER WRAPAROUND SUPPORTS, AND CONTINUE TO DEVELOP APPROPRIATE CURRICULUM.

  Expenses $3,389,670 · Revenue $1,922,553

• OTHER I PROMISE INITIATIVES: THE CORE I PROMISE PROGRAMMING OFFERED TO ALL I PROMISE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES EXTENDS INTO HIGH SCHOOL AND THROUGH COLLEGE WITH THE I PROMISE NETWORK AND BEYOND. SUPPORTS FOR OUR OLDEST STUDENTS INCLUDE THE I PROMISE INSTITUTE SPACE LJFF FUNDS ANDMAINTAINS WITH ALL THE RESOURCES AND SPECIFIC PROGRAMMING THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL ON CAMPUS AS WELL AS OTHER COSTS OF GOING TO COLLEGE AND EXPERIENCES PROVIDED TO HELP PREPARE THEM ALONG THE WAY. LJFF SUPPORT FURTHER EXTENDS TO I PROMISE PARENTS THROUGH THE I PROMISE TOO PROGRAM THAT HELPS THEM EARN THEIR GED AND PREPARE FOR THEIR NEXT LIFE CHAPTER. ADDITIONALLY, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES THE I PROMISE VILLAGE WHICH SERVES AS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING TO FAMILIES WITHIN THE I PROMISE PROGRAM WHO ARE IN NEED OF SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING. FAMILIES STAY AT THE VILLAGE FOR FREE WITH A COMMITMENT TO WORK TOWARD THEIR GOALS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO CONTINUES TO SUPPORT OTHER EFFORTS IMPORTANT TO OURWORK TO UPLIFT LEBRON'S HOMETOWN. THIS INCLUDES THE FOUNDATION'S ANNUAL WE ARE FAMILY REUNION AT CEDAR POINT THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A DAY OF FUN FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES AHEAD OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR. THISALSO INCLUDES THE JAMES FAMILY'S REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR COMMUNITY THROUGH SAVANNAH JAMES' I PROMISE MAKEOVER INITIATIVE THAT AIMS TO EMPOWER UNDERPRIVILEGED GIRLS FROM AKRON AREA HIGH SCHOOLS BY HELPING THEM PREPARE FOR PROM WITH DRESSES, ACCESSORIES, AND WORDS OFENCOURAGEMENT AND SELF-CONFIDENCE. THE FOUNDATION PLANS TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THESE AND OTHER PARALLEL PROGRAMS THAT UPLIFT AND POSITIVELY IMPACT ITS COMMUNITY YEAR-ROUND.

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

• AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

  $0

  PROGRAMS/SERVICES FOR AKRON I PROMISE STUDENTS

Taxable family on this return

Schedule R Parts I, III and IV, as filed. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money moved.

Provenance

Return type

form_990

Tax year

2024

Filed

13 November 2025

IRS schema version

2024v5.2

Source object

202513189349300746

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

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