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Mighty Writers

EIN 01-0920922 · Philadelphia, PA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong93 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF MIGHTY WRITERS IS TO TEACH KIDS TO THINK CLEARLY AND WRITE WITH CLARITY SO THEY CAN ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN WORK AND IN LIFE. MIGHTY WRITERS PROVIDES FREE YEAR-ROUND WRITING PROGRAMS FOR OVER 3,500 STUDENTS EACH YEAR.

Income
$8.6 million
Spending
$7.6 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
85
Volunteers
420
Highest pay
$226,301, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 16% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 63% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 December 31, 2024, 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 (6)
  1. $1.5 million spent. THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE, YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS INCLUDING: QUALITY WORKSHOPS, OUT-OF-SCHOOL WRITING INSTRUCTION AND MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE TO PARTICIPANTS.
  2. $2.8 million spent. THE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM - KIDS AND FAMILIES SPEND QUALITY TIME TOGETHER, PARTICIPATE IN CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, CREATE ART, EAT DINNER AND IMPROVE READING AND WRITING SKILLS. AT OUR BILINGUAL SITES, FAMILIES MEET OTHER LATINO FAMILIES AND BUILD COMMUNITIES OF SUPPORT.
  3. $184,397 spent. THE ON THE ROAD PROGRAM BRINGS MIGHTY WRITERS WORKSHOPS TO PARTNER LOCATIONS IN MULTIPLE COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAM IS COMPRISED OF A WIDE VARIETY OF RELEVANT AND ENGAGING WORKSHOP THEMES.
  4. $672,116 spent. GENERAL PROGRAM SERVICE
  5. $572,002 spent. A RANGE OF WORKSHOPS HELP TEENS PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE BY OFFERING SKILLS TRAINING THEY'LL NEED TO MOVE FORWARD. COLLEGE ESSAY NIGHTS BRINGS TEENS TOGETHER WITH VOLUNTEERS FOR ONE-ON-ONE MENTORING TO CREATE THE PERFECT APPLICATION
  6. $165,589 spent. VOLUNTEERS AND INTERNSHIPS PROGRAM HELPS STUDENTS WITH VOLUNTEERS FOR ONE-ON-ONE MENTORING TO CREATE THE PERFECT APPLICATION. PAID SUMMER INTERNSHIPS AND TEEN FELLOWSHIPS PROVIDE INVALUABLE EXPOSURE TO WORKPLACE EXPECTATIONS, ACCOUNTABILITY AND SKILLS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2009.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 2026.

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