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Passes our checks

Strive International Inc

EIN 13-3255679 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STRIVEs purpose is to ensure that everyone can achieve upward mobility and financial empowerment for themselves and their families. Its mission is to provide a pathway to life-changing careers and opportunities through comprehensive professional training, intensive personal support and self-empowerment for those who face societal barriers to advancement. Its vision is for employers, civic leaders, businesses, donors and neighbors across the country join STRIVE in building an inclusive economy for stronger, safer communities and a more equitable and just society for all.

Income
$14.6 million
Spending
$14.1 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
108
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$356,574, ceo

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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (employment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (employment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 18 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

    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 (1)
  1. $9.9 million spent. STRIVE IS THE NATIONS LEADING SOLUTION FOR PEOPLE WHO FACE THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES TOEMPLOYMENT. OUR PROVEN MODEL PROPELS STUDENTS INTO CAREERS THAT LEAD TO UPWARDMOBILITY. WHAT MAKES STRIVE UNIQUE IS THE NETWORK OF PROVIDERS. THE UNPARALLELEDNETWORK IS A COMBINATION OF OPERATED SITES (NEW YORK CITY, ATLANTA, NEW ORLEANSAND BIRMINGHAM, AL) AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS (OUR AFFILIATE NETWORK) IN CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, TOTALING 13 US CITIES. STRIVES HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING AND JOB DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS IN AREAS OF CONCENTRATED POVERTY ANDUNEMPLOYMENT. STRIVE SUPPORTS THE NATIONAL NETWORK VIA 1) A CAPABLE TEAM OF DEDICATED STAFF THAT SUPPORT THE NATIONAL NETWORK, 2) CAPACITY-BUILDING FORUMS FOR STRIVE AFFILIATES TO STRENGTHEN PROGRAM QUALITY ANDDEVELOP LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE NETWORK, SUCH AS THE ANNUAL STRIVE INSTITUTE, 3) NATIONAL PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, 4) PROGRAM MANUALS PREDICATED ON EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES, AND 5) ACTIVELY SOLICITING AND SECURING NATIONAL GRANTS FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDERS.

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 May 1985.

    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.

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.