Dannon Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To provide reentry and other transitional and workforce training services to WIOA and several vulnerable populations, including unemployed, underemployed, uneducated and undereducated, adult and young adults who have been in conflict with the law, pregnant and parenting teens, uninsured and underinsured, and their families by reducing barriers such as homelessness or risk of becoming homeless, employment, discrimination, job training, education, behavioral health treatment, and several emergency support services. During the FY, the agency expanded its ACER Reentry model to nine West Alabama Counties and to the Chattahoochee River Valley Region encompassing contiguous Russell and Lee Counties (Eastern) Alabama. We also provide workforce development/readiness services across 16 Alabama counties.
- Income
- $3.3 million
- Spending
- $3.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- -2.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 117
- Volunteers
- 7
- Highest pay
- $109,592, 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
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 44% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $1.6 million spent. Pathways and Growth Opportunities serve as the Intermediaries for the Reentry Programs (Adult Reentry Program) were funded by the Department of Labor ETA. The Young Adults and Adult programs provide reentry services to persons in conflict with the law or served in prison or jail. The Young Adult Intermediary Reentry Program (Growth Opportunities) serves as both a diversion and reentry program for young adults, male and female, between the ages of 18-24. Outcomes included a 3% recidivism rate overall, a 90% mentoring rate, a $16.75 average hourly earnings, an 84% Employment 2nd Quarter After Exit, an Employment Rate of 91% 4th Quarter After Exit, and an 82% Credential Attainment Rate. This program serves Site 01 (Jefferson County's WIOA North Central Alabama Region); Site 07 (West Alabama nine WIOA Region 3 counties); and the Chattahoochee River Valley Region of Columbus, GA en, compassing Russell and Lee Counties of AL (Eastern AL). The DOL RP (Pathways) served 419 male and female persons previously incarcerated between 18 and 60. All participants may not have ever had a sex crime other than prostitution. This program provides reentry services funded under the Pathways Home, a pre-release and post-release reentry program, and GO (Intermediary federally funded grants. Services provided include case management, education, housing assistance, job placement, job readiness, financial literacy, life skills, career counseling, career pathways establishment, violence prevention and intervention, mentoring, career training, certifications, and wraparound supportive services. All eligible participants are referred for medical healthcare and behavioral health services. Outcomes include a 100% enrollment rate, 96% participation rate, $16.22 average hourly earnings, 94% Entered Employment Rate, 92% Employment Retention Rate, and 3% Recidivism Rate. DOJ 2nd Chance Adult Program started where Pathways left off.
- $646,774 spent. The Dannon Project administers two U.S. Department of Justice reentry initiatives-Youth Advocacy and Resilience Program (YARP) and Second Chance Adult Reentry-designed to reduce recidivism and promote public safety through comprehensive rehabilitation services. Both programs provide intensive case management, evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy, workforce training, and employment placement for justice-involved youth and adults returning to the community after incarceration. Participants receive wraparound supports including mental-health counseling, housing referrals, and transportation assistance to ensure successful reintegration. The YARP initiative emphasizes early intervention and mentorship for court-involved youth, while the Second Chance Adult program focuses on skill development, job placement, and long-term stability for adults with prior felony convictions. Collectively, these DOJ-funded programs strengthen families, improve community safety, and advance equity in reentry outcomes across Alabama.
- $720,451 spent. The Dannon Project's WIOA Out-of-School Youth (OSY) Program, funded through the Alabama Department of Commerce, provides career pathway development, educational attainment, and workforce readiness training for young adults ages 16-24 who are not currently in school and face barriers to employment. Through this initiative, participants receive paid work experience, job placement assistance, transportation support, and access to wraparound services including mental health and housing stability resources. The complementary DTI component enhances digital literacy and technical skills to strengthen employability outcomes. Together, these programs empower participants with the certifications, confidence, and career connections necessary for sustained employment and long-term self-sufficiency.
- $243,945 spent. The Dannon Project's Department of Energy (DOE) Community Innovation and Workforce Training Initiative supports digital equity, clean-energy workforce development, and technology-based learning opportunities for underserved populations across Alabama. Through this project, participants receive instruction in emerging energy-sector careers, environmental sustainability practices, and green-technology literacy. The initiative strengthens community capacity to participate in high-demand energy and infrastructure jobs while advancing federal priorities for sustainability, broadband access, and equitable workforce inclusion. Program activities include virtual instruction, workforce credentialing, and cross-sector collaboration with higher-education and industry partners. Other programs include:(Want to remain anonymous) Foundation $ 100,000 General operating support to strengthen community workforce and reentry initiatives The Caring Foundation $ 10,000 Health-related outreach, staff wellness, and participant mental-health access Other Contributions $ 225,000 Private donations and unrestricted community support Total $ 335,000. During 2024, The Dannon Project received strategic philanthropic support from the Anonymous Foundation ($100,000), The Caring Foundation ($10,000), and private community contributors ($225,000). These unrestricted funds strengthened organizational capacity and expanded direct services within the organization's reentry, workforce development, and digital literacy initiatives. Support was used to enhance technology infrastructure, provide staff training and professional development, and sustain wraparound services such as mental health counseling and transportation assistance for participants. Collectively, these investments enabled The Dannon Project to serve additional participants and advance its mission of empowering individuals to achieve self-sufficiency and community stability.
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
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 2026.
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