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Rooted Wisdom Africa

EIN 20-8595073 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Rooted Wisdom Africa offers an integrated set of innovative programs designed to support income generation, food security, and employment. Our mission is to empower children and families in rural Uganda to overcome the constraints of poverty through education and business development.

Income
$107,345
Spending
$104,696
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
26.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
11
Highest pay
$37,500, executive dir.

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

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 58% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 (3)
  1. $36,904 spent. Education: Rooted Wisdom Africa supports both formal and informal educational opportunities through partnerships with secondary schools and vocational institutions. At the secondary level, the Life Skills Program provides educational scholarships, life skills instruction, and vocational and technical training. In 2025, the organization supported 55 students, all of whom successfully graduated. To further support academic success, more than 29,400 meals were provided during the school year. Beyond secondary education, Rooted Wisdom Africa invests in high-potential students by offering scholarships to local vocational colleges. In 2025, seven students received post-secondary scholarship support. In total, $36,904 was expended in support of the organizations educational initiatives.
  2. $35,023 spent. Rooted Wisdom Africa purchased over 3.5 acres of land to establish a future Enterprise Center and Demonstration Farm. This site will serve as a central hub for training, agricultural production, and small business development for rural community members. The Enterprise Center is designed to support hands-on learning in sustainable farming practices, financial literacy, and income-generating activities, with the goal of increasing household income, strengthening food security, and fostering long-term economic independence. Development of the site will enable the organization to expand its Farmer Field School programming and provide a dedicated space for community-led innovation and skill-building. In total, over $35,023 was spent in support of the land purchase.
  3. $13,159 spent. Entrepreneurship: Rooted Wisdom Africa invests in families, students, farmers, and community members through entrepreneurial training programs to support income generation and self-sufficiency. These programs support disadvantaged populations as they learn valuable business skills and vocational training in an effort to increase their income, food security, and scalable businesses. The Women's Enterprise Training Program (WETP) equips women and girls living in extreme poverty with the skills necessary to secure independent and sustainable employment. In 2025, WETP supported over 30 Ugandan women and out-of-school youth. The Farmer Field School (FFS) supports current or aspiring farmers by teaching hands-on environmentally sustainable agricultural techniques using a cost-effective approach. In 2025, 125 farmers were supported through the program. In total, $13,159 was spent in support of the organizations enterprise and community engagement initiatives.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 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 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 June 2025.

    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 June 2007.

    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.