Level Up Cincinnati
LUC's mission is to empower underserved students, particularly first-gen students from low-income families, to thrive in education and professional careers. The program addresses critical challenges faced by these students, such as higher dropout rates and limited access to resources. LUC's holistic approach cultivates personal and professional growth, nurturing leaders who strengthen the Cincinnati community and contribute to a more prosperous future.
Level Up Cincinnati at a glance
In short: Level Up Cincinnati gave $200K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $200K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $200,000
- +11.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $200,000
- +11.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $200,000
- Total assets
- $604,561
- +42.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Ohio (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Level Up Cincinnati funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Cincinnati Foundation ($200K).
Grant Size Distribution
6 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 3 grants of 6 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Level Up Cincinnati gives
- Giving grew 264% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $55K (2022) to $200K (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $200K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Cincinnati Foundation Cincinnati, OH | Program | $200,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $604,561 | $619,865 | $439,049 | $200,000 | 1 | $6,497 |
| 2024 | $424,596 | $538,507 | $365,165 | $180,000 | 1 | — |
| 2023 | $249,244 | $453,506 | $289,859 | $150,584 | 3 | — |
| 2022 | $85,597 | $221,250 | $135,653 | $55,000 | 1 | — |
About Level Up Cincinnati
Based on IRS filings
Level Up Cincinnati is a public charity focused on Education, based in Madeira, OH. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $605K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $200K. Net investment income was $6K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Level Up Cincinnati is led by Jim Rodarte, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 1 of 10 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jim Rodarte
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$56K (2022) → $86K (2025)
Michael Rodarte
Chairman of the Board
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jordan Hickam
Secretary
Board Secretary → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy List
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Delaney
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rene Cheatham
Treasurer
Board Treasurer → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elena Teran
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Olson
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brendan Hosty
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kyle Shumate
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: JeRod Lindsey (2022–2024) — Board Member & Coach Leader
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $86K, to Jim Rodarte (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Level Up Cincinnati
How much does Level Up Cincinnati give each year?
Level Up Cincinnati gave $200K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $180K across 1 grant.
How large is Level Up Cincinnati?
Level Up Cincinnati reported $605K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $620K.
What is Level Up Cincinnati?
Level Up Cincinnati is a public charity focused on Education, based in Madeira, OH. It holds $605K in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Level Up Cincinnati operate?
Level Up Cincinnati has awarded grants in Ohio.
What is Level Up Cincinnati's EIN?
Level Up Cincinnati's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 88-0931411. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 7, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
Live grants for the work Level Up Cincinnati funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Level Up Cincinnati's focus areas in our free grants database
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