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Glassroots Inc

EIN 22-3671890 · Newark, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

GLASSROOTS IGNITES AND BUILDS THE CREATIVE AND ECONOMIC VITALITY OF GREATER NEWARK, WITH A FOCUS ON YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS, THROUGH THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE GLASS ART EXPERIENCE.

Income
$1.7 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
6.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 62%
Employees
33
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$101,072, executive director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 52% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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 64% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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 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. $147,984 spent. GLASSROOTS FELLOWSHIP: THE GLASSROOTS PETERS VALLEY FELLOWSHIP IS A FULLY FUNDED SUMMER PROGRAM FOR GREATER NEWARK'S YOUNG ADULTS. COMBINING TIME IN NEWARK AND AT PETERS VALLEY SCHOOL OF CRAFT, IT OFFERS INTENSIVE WORKSHOPS IN GLASSBLOWING, CERAMICS AND MORE. FELLOWS RECEIVE FREE TUITION, HOUSING, MEALS AND A STIPEND, GAINING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES TO LAUNCH THEIR CAREERS. IN FYE 2025, 24 FELLOWS SPENT NEARLY 3,000 HOURS CREATING ART.
  2. $85,100 spent. SCHOOL PROGRAMS: GLASSROOTS PROVIDES IMMERSIVE STEAM-BASED EDUCATION FOR GRADES 3 - 12 THROUGH ON-SITE FIELD TRIPS AND "ARTIST IN YOUR SCHOOL" RESIDENCES. ALIGNED WITH NEW JERSEY STUDENT LEARNING STANDARDS, PROGRAMS COMBINE SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY WITH HANDS-ON GLASS ART, INCLUDING FLAMEWORKING, MOSAICS, AND ETCHING. THESE CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE WORKSHOPS FOSTER CRITICAL THINKING AND CREATIVITY, EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO MASTER UNIQUE ARTISTIC TECHNIQUES WHILE EXPLORING HISTORY AND SCIENCE.
  3. $29,235 spent. YES: THE YOUTH ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT (YES) PROGRAM IS A FREE, AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE NEWARK AREA. IT USES HANDS-ON GLASS ART-MAKING (GLASSBLOWING, FUSING, FLAMEWORK) AS A FOUNDATION TO TEACH BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS. STUDENTS LEARN BASIC BUSINESS CONCEPTS, BUDGETING, MARKETING STRATEGIES, AND DEVELOP PRODUCTS LIKE JEWELRY AND STAINED GLASS, WHICH THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MARKET AND SELL. THE PROGRAM FOSTERS CREATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

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 August 2001.

    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.