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Nonprofit · EIN 47-2199655

C I R C L E

Tax-exempt · DENVER, CO 80216

Financials

$342K$428K2023$331K$332K2024$252K$282K2025
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of C I R C L E by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2025990$251,710$281,931-$30,221$145,247$0$145,247
December 31, 2024990$330,568$332,445-$1,877$175,468$0$175,468
December 31, 2023990$341,869$427,804-$85,935$177,546$0$177,546
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$183,045
of which government grants
$2,500
Program service revenue
$68,665
Investment income
$0
Other revenue
$0

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$0
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$43,601
Other salaries and wages
$98,420
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$157,628
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Accounting fees
$7,050
Occupancy
$12,000
Travel
$1,243
Program services (functional)
$224,476
Management and general (functional)
$41,559
Fundraising (functional)
$15,896

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$175,468
Total assets, end of year
$145,247
Total liabilities, end of year
$0
Net assets, end of year
$145,247
Net assets without donor restrictions
$145,247
Gross receipts
$251,710
Employees
4
Volunteers
30
Year formed
2016
State of legal domicile
CO

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
Carla MestasExecutive Director and Founder
Trustee or director
60$43,601
Dr Nicole Sager PhDScribe Secretary
Trustee or director, Officer
0.25$0
Dr Nicki Gonzales PhDBoard President and Chair
Trustee or director, Officer
0.5$0
Citlaly FierroBoard Trustee
Trustee or director
0.25$0
Ms Shreka ThomasBoard Treasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
0.5$0
Dr Tania HoganBoard Trustee
Trustee or director
0.25$0
Elena MendozaBoard Trustee
Trustee or director
0.25$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 6 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
Carla MestasExecutive Director and Founder
Trustee or director
50$80,000
Dr Nicole Sager PhDScribe Secretary
Trustee or director, Officer
5$0
Dr Nicki Gonzales PhDBoard President and Chair
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0
Ms Jennifer Daniel Collins EsqBoard Member
Trustee or director
2$0
Ms Shreka ThomasTreasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
3$0
Dr Tania HoganBoard Member
Trustee or director
2$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 7 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
Carla MestasExecutive Director and Founder
Trustee or director, Key employee
50$43,278
Dr Nicole Sager PhDScribe Secretary
Trustee or director, Officer
5$3,250
Dr Nicki Gonzales PhDBoard President and Chair
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0
Ms Jennifer Daniel Collins EsqBoard Member
Trustee or director
2$0
Ms Shreka ThomasTreasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0
Dr Tania HoganBoard Member
Trustee or director
2$0
Katie BordenBoard Member
Trustee or director
2$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
3455 RINGSBY CT STE 130, DENVER, CO 80216-4935
In care of
% CARLA MESTAS
Mailing address (990-N for 2017)
128 S Ulster Street, Denver CO 80230
Principal officer (990 for 2025)
Carla Mestas, 3455 Ringsby Ct Suite 130, Denver, CO 80216
Principal officer (990-N for 2017)
Carla Mestas, 128 S Ulster Street, Denver CO 80230
Signed the 990
Carla Mestas, Executive Director
Phone
(303) 669-9782
Return prepared by
The Balanced Act LLC

Mission

Facilitate connections between inclusive, responsive communities who are leading education. CIRCLE creates, implements and supports sustainability and partnerships for individuals and organizations committed to equity and inclusiveness.

990 for the year ended December 31, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • CIRCLE achieves its mission to facilitate connections between communities who are leading education on a daily basis. We do this through our ongoing activities in three key areas: youth leadership development programs, workplace development & consulting across sectors, and multigenerational learning in community. The demand for programming like this has only increased over the years, highlighting the greater need for positive leadership development. ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: Youth Leadership Programs CIRCLE provides year-round youth leadership opportunities for students in the Denver Metropolitan area in 7th-12th grade, who are interested in developing their leadership and practices to support their wellbeing. Each program builds on each other letting students develop a multifaceted understanding of their leadership and how to spark positive change in their communities. * Program provides: Youth Leadership Summer Camp; Student Created & Led Fall Conference to other School Communities; Year-round Youth Leadership Advisory Council; Student Created & Led One-Day Events in Community. * Programs occur: At the CIRCLE office as well as around the Denver community; meeting in community at schools and other organizations. * Program run by: CIRCLE Executive Director and Director of Programs & Operations, Programs Coordinator, Summer Youth Specialist, and 30 volunteers from schools and community. * Program funded by: Funding comes from school sponsorships, fee for service (to participate in camps or attend the fall conference as middle school student), in-kind support, and individual donations, community sponsorships, and foundation grants. Workplace & Organizational Training and Consulting The CIRCLE Consulting team is a cadre of experts, who provide hands-on training and support around developing relevant practices of planning, organizing, evaluation, and assessments across sectors (education, nonprofit, public, arts/culture, business and local groups). Our services are for community groups committed to improving their institutions and systems through a collaborative, responsive approach. We will work with organizations to identify their needs and provide guidance on how to achieve those goals. * Program provides: Hands-on learning, coaching, and training to advance inclusive, responsive practices across all aspects of their business. * Programs occur: In person at the organization's office and/or virtually based on the organization's preference and needs. * Program run by: CIRCLE Executive Director and independent contractors who are content experts in their fields. * Program funded by: Funding comes from fee for service (to receive consulting services and training). Multigenerational Learning CIRCLE offers multi-generational learning known as the CIRCLE Cultural Café. This is an annual 'un-conference' for community leaders, educators, board members, parents, and students, who are committed to building healthier communities to come together for shared learning. * Program provides: An annual CIRCLE Cultural Café is an 'un-conference' type experience for adult learners to connect and expand their understanding of social change. * Programs occur: In person. Our 'un-conference' was held at a partner location and included three different speakers discussing topics related to CIRCLE's mission as well as a small market where we invited local community businesses to promote their work. * Program run by: CIRCLE Executive Director, Director of Programs & Operations and Programs Coordinator with the support of the organization's volunteers who are passionate about life-long learning and skilled in event coordination. * Program funded by: Funding comes fee for service (to participate in conference as attendee), business sponsorships, in-kind support, and community or individual donations. CONCLUSION: The regulations governing exemption eligibility for organizations described under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code are found at 26 CFR 1.501(c)(3)-1. The term "charitable" is defined in section 1.501(c)(3)-1(d)(2) to include advancement of education; eliminating prejudice and discrimination. The term educational is defined in Section 1.501(c)(3)-1(d)(3)(i) which states that educational relates to the instruction or training of the individual for the purpose of improving or developing their capabilities; or the instruction of the public on subjects useful to the individual and beneficial to the community. The described activities provided regularly by CIRCLE meets that definition of "charitable and "educational. The youth leadership development programs, organizational training and consulting, and multigenerational learning, equip individuals to take small (or large steps) in courageous conversations regarding race, ethnicity, gender, class and privilege and the challenges and opportunities these issues reveal in professional and personal settings. With more practice and exposure, with more opportunities to learn and be exposed to scholars, resources, media and peer-to-peer conversations, students, educators and other professionals will be able to create and support more inclusive cross-cultural classrooms, boardrooms, workplaces and communities.
    Expenses $224,476 · revenue $68,665

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026990 on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
47-2199655
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
2016
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Category (NTEE)
Education (B90)
Assets (IRS master file)
$145,247
Income (IRS master file)
$251,710

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2025$251,710$281,931$145,247XML
990December 2024$330,568$332,445$175,468XML
990December 2023$341,869$427,804$177,546XML
990December 2022$310,213$272,021$258,971IRS
990December 2021–––IRS
990-EZDecember 2020–––IRS
990-N for 2017
Officer: Carla Mestas
December 31, 2017≤ $50,000 receipts––e-Postcard

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 47-2199655).

Questions about C I R C L E

What is the EIN of C I R C L E?
The employer identification number (EIN) of C I R C L E is 47-2199655.
Is C I R C L E tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2016.
Are donations to C I R C L E tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does C I R C L E file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of C I R C L E due?
The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did C I R C L E last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
Who is the principal officer of C I R C L E?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names Carla Mestas.
Who are the officers and directors of C I R C L E?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 7 people; 1 received compensation from the organization, the highest $43,601 (Carla Mestas, Executive Director and Founder).
How much revenue does C I R C L E have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $251,710, expenses of $281,931 and total assets of $145,247 at year end.

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