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Earthworm Inc

EIN 23-7435490 · Somerville, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair57 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EARTHWORMS MISSION IS TO PROMOTE RECYCLING IN THE WORKPLACE. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS BY PROVIDING A COLLECTION SERVICE THAT IS EASY FOR FIRST TIME RECYCLERS TO IMPLEMENT. ALSO, BY REDUCING BARRIERS TO RECYCLING THROUGH FRIENDLY ASSISTANCE, FLEXIBLE PROGRAMS AND AFFORDABILITY, EARTHWORM ENABLES SMALL BUSINESSES AND OTHERS WHO ARE UNDERSERVED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO ESTABLISH OFFICE RECYCLING PROGRAMS. EARTHWORM ALSO RECOGNIZES THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER LOCAL GROUPS WHO ARE WORKING TOWARD SIMILAR GOALS OF CONSERVING NATURAL RESOURCES. EARTHWORM FURTHER PROMOTES RECYCLING THROUGH COLLABORATION, MENTORING AND DIRECT SUPPORT TO THESE GROUPS.

Income
$565,330
Spending
$610,488
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
7.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 98%
Employees
8
Highest pay
$69,886, former presi

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: 57 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 54% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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 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. $478,963 spent. THE TWO PROGRAMS AND THE ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THOSE PROGRAMS ARE AS FOLLOWS: DEMONSTRATION OFFICE RECYCLING PROGRAM THROUGH INNOVATIVE AND AFFORDABLE RECYCLING PROGRAMS, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES AN IMPORTANT SERVICE TO FIRST TIME RECYCLERS, SMALL BUSINESSES AND OTHERS WHO ARE UNDERSERVED BY THE PRIVATE SECTIONS.

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 March 1975.

    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.