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Downcity Design

EIN 27-1125644 · Providence, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DOWNCITY DESIGN OFFERS FREE PROGRAMS THAT HELP RESIDENTS GAIN SKILLS WHILE STRENGHTENING THEIR COMMUNITIES, THROUGH THE CREATION OF SERVICE PROJECTS THAT HARNESS THE CREATIVE POWER OF DESIGN.

Income
$817,088
Spending
$772,990
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 62%
Employees
9
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$106,648, 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

Good: 71 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    62% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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 95% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $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

    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 (1)
  1. $479,032 spent. DOWNCITY DESIGN PROVIDED FREE IN-SCHOOL, AFTER SCHOOL, AND SUMMER DESIGN EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR OVER 250 PROVIDENCE COUNTY TEENS IN 2024/2025. OUR PROGRAMS HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP CRITICAL THINKING, CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING, AND STEAM SKILLS -- CRUCIAL SKILLS FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE BEYOND -- WHILE ENGAGING IN MEANINGFUL SERVICE WORK. THIS YEAR, STUDENTS DESIGNED AND FABRICATED 9 NEW YOUTH-DESIGNED, YOUTH BUILT SERVICE PROJECTS FOR COMMUNITY CLIENTS INCLUDING PROVIDENCE PLANNING, OSAMEQUIN FARM, SOJOURNER HOUSE, SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST, WEST BROADWAY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES CENTER, IGLIOZZI RECREATION CENTER, AND THE AVENUE CONCEPT.THROUGH A SUCESSFUL CAPITAL CAMPAIGN EFFORT,DOWNITY DESIGN SUCCESSFULLY RENOVATED THEIR NEW COMMUNITY DESIGN CENTER FACILITY,WHICH OPENED IN SPRING 2024!

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 April 2010.

    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.