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The Elm Project Inc

EIN 06-1431690 · Norwalk, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE ELM PROJECT IS TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF UNDERSERVED YOUTH LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE BY PROVIDING AN ENRICHING SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE AND THE TOOLS FOR A HEALTHY, INDEPENDENT FUTURE.

Income
$417,056
Spending
$478,568
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 94%
Employees
2
Volunteers
96
Highest pay
$91,800, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    7 of 7

    Has a 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 (2)
  1. $363,566 spent. A ONE-WEEK RESIDENTIAL SUMMER CAMP OFFERED EACH AUGUST FOR CHILDREN AGES 7-16 LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE, ALONG WITH THEIR SIBLINGS. THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON EXPOSING KIDS TO A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES THAT THEY WOULD NOT OTHERWISE HAVE ACCESS TO DUE TO THEIR DEMANDING MEDICAL ROUTINES, FINANCIAL CHALLENGES, AND THE SOCIAL STIGMA WHICH CAN LIMIT ACCESS TO TRADITIONAL CAMP EXPERIENCES. WE OFFER DAILY ACTIVITIES SUCH AS BOATING, SWIMMING, SPORTS, ARTS & CRAFTS, DRAMA, MUSIC, FILM, ARCHERY, AND MORE. WE DO ALL OF THIS THROUGH AN ALL-VOLUNTEER STAFF, INCLUDING A ROBUST MEDICAL TEAM WHICH OPERATES 24/7 SO THAT THE CHILDREN LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL CAN BE CLOSELY MONITORED AND PROPERLY CARED FOR THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.
  2. $24,322 spent. A YEAR-ROUND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR TEENS WHO HAVE AGED OUT OF OUR CAMP AMERIKIDS PROGRAM (16 AND OLDER). IT IS A TWO-YEAR PROGRAM CREATED TO SUPPORT YOUTH THROUGH THE TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL INTO ADULTHOOD, WHICH FOCUSES ON BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM AND EXPOSING PARTICIPANTS TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES, WHILE HELPING THEM NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGES OF BECOMING AN ADULT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1996.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.