Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Animation Project Inc

EIN 26-2318845 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Animation Project (TAP) believes that in order to effect change in the lives of youth, we must first build the emotional coping skills, especially impulse control, necessary to ensure that they make good choices. Secondly, we must improve their interpersonal skills by promoting collaboration, healthy self-esteem and self-governance, enabling the autonomy needed to fulfill adult roles and responsibilities. Thirdly, by capitalizing on the emotional and social growth of our initial steps, we are able to create an environment whereby youth are able to effectively learn and make use of practical technical skills (in our case, digital art technology).

Income
$824,551
Spending
$988,227
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
3.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 81%
Employees
11
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$112,231, executive dir.

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: 48 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 50% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 48 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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 8 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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. $812,588 spent. The Made in New York Animation Project (TAP) offered high quality therapeutic animation programs to schools, after schools programs and community sites throughout NYC. With the guidance of our skilled Animation Teaching Artist and Creative Arts Therapist teams, participants explored career pathways in animation, learned various aspects of the animation pipeline, developed vital social emotional skills and used multiple modalities to work together and produce original animated films. TAP also supported 123 young New Yorkers through a highly accessible virtual career readiness summer program in animation and related industries. Each participant received up to 72 hours of incentivized sessions with the goals of youth engagement, connection, creative exploration, education, career development and networking. Participants contributed to the creation of original short animations, created personalized resumes and cover letters, learned workplace self-care techniques and earned digital badges credentials. A total of 69 digital badges were awarded and over $115,000 in incentives were distributed.TAP's Training Program returned in-person this year, on site at the Commonpoint Queens Youth Opportunity Hub. Through this 9-week partnership, TAP trained 10 young creatives on how to create original animated GIFs using Adobe Photoshop, Animate, After Effects and Blender. They strengthened their career readiness and financial wellness skills and earned both technical and workforce development digital badge credentials. The trainees were celebrated by friends, family, and program staff at a graduation ceremony.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2008.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.