Finger Lakes Reuse Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
ENHANCING COMMUNITY, ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT THROUGH REUSE.
- Income
- $3.7 million
- Spending
- $3.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- -9.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 67%
- Employees
- 122
- Volunteers
- 648
- Highest pay
- $105,833, chief executive officer
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
Weak: 38 out of 100. Higher than 5% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 166% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
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)
- $2.9 million spent. COMMUNITY REUSE CENTERS: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DAILY, FINGER LAKES REUSE CONTINUED TO OPERATE TWO LOCATIONS. THESE CENTERS PROVIDE A CONVENIENT, ACCESSIBLE LOCATION WHERE ANYONE CAN DONATE REUSABLE MATERIALS, PURCHASE AFFORDABLE GOODS, ENGAGE IN JOB TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, AND LEARN REUSE-RELATED SKILLS. SHOPPERS MADE AN ESTIMATED 199,983 VISITS TO REUSE COMMUNITY CENTERS IN 2024. 811,821 ITEMS, AN ESTIMATED 1,351 TONS OF MATERIALS WERE DIVERTED FROM POTENTIALLY ENDING UP IN LANDFILLS THIS YEAR, A POTENTIAL SAVINGS OF $129,696.00 IN WASTE FEES TO TOMPKINS COUNTY RESIDENTS.
- $94,753 spent. COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: THE RESET (REUSE SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT TRAINING) PROGRAM PROVIDES FREE JOB SKILLS TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL AS SEVERAL PAIDAPPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES EACH YEAR FOR LOCAL PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDER-EMPLOYED, LOW-INCOME OR ARE EXPERIENCING BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT. IN 2024 TRAININGS WERE OFFERED IN RETAIL CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GREEN JOB SKILLS, WITH 26 PARTICIPANTS.
- $58,871 spent. ECENTER COMPUTER REPAIR AND REFURBISHMENT:THIS PROGRAM REDUCES THE VOLUME OF WASTE CAUSED BY COMPUTER AND ELECTRONICS RECYCLING AND DISPOSAL AND HELPS SUPPLY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES, LOCAL NONPROFITS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC WITH LOW-COST COMPUTERS AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT. IN 2024, 2,079 REFURBISHED DESKTOPS, LAPTOPS, TABLETS AND CELLPHONES WERE MADE AVAILABLE LOCALLY THROUGH FINGER LAKES REUSE CENTERS.
- $188,521 spent. REUSE MATERIALS ACCESS PROGRAM (REMAP):PROVIDES DIRECT RELIEF TO PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS IN NEED OF MATERIALS. IN 2024 THIS PROGRAM COLLABORATED WITH 26 PARTNER AGENCIES TO PROVIDE 904 HOUSEHOLDS WITH MATERIALS FOR FREE, INCLUDING DELIVERY WHEN POSSIBLE.
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 October 13, 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 2008.
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 October 21, 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.