826 Msp
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
826 MSP amplifies the voices, stories, and power of K-12 BIPOC students through writing, publishing, and leadership programs.
- Income
- $636,121
- Spending
- $394,667
- Spent on programs
- 76%
- Reserves
- 6.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 78%
- Employees
- 7
- Volunteers
- 70
- Highest pay
- $74,139, 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 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 14% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 37% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (4)
- $113,780 spent. After-School Writing Lab (ASWL)-- Serving over 40 students each year, the After-School Writing Lab is 826 MSP's core, year-round program offering free, drop-in creative writing support for K-12 students. Held in person and virtually Monday through Thursday, ASWL provides individualized tutoring, homework support, genre-based writing instruction, and mentorship from trained volunteers and teaching artists. Students explore poetry, fiction, memoir, and storytelling while building confidence, literacy skills, and academic resilience. Participants engage with the Young Authors Council through peer leadership, workshop advising, and youth-facilitated activities. The program regularly culminates in student-authored chapbooks, readings, and community showcases. Seasonal extensions, including the Summer Writing Program, deepen engagement through small cohorts and intensive workshops.
- $74,855 spent. Writers' Room at South High School-- The Writers' Room at South High School is a dedicated, school-based writing space embedded within the academic day. Through in-class tutoring, small-group instruction, and one-on-one support, the program serves a large and diverse student population. In this school year, the Writers' Room served over 400 students. Teaching artists and volunteers collaborate with educators to reinforce writing skills across disciplines while nurturing student voice and academic success. Students contribute to schoolwide publications, readings, and youth-led events, with leadership pathways connected to participation in the Young Authors Council. Starting FY25 which began on July 1, 2024, the Writers' Room at South High School is on pause and will be restarted when the organization securing sustainable funding for this program.
- $62,879 spent. Young Authors' Book Project (YABP)-- The Young Authors' Book Project is a flagship publishing program that guides students through the full writing and bookmaking process. Partnering with schools and community organizations, YABP offers sustained instruction, editorial feedback, and collaborative workshops that culminate in professionally designed and printed student anthologies. Members of the Young Authors Council serve as peer editors, workshop co-facilitators, and ambassadors for the program. Each cycle concludes with a community book launch that positions students as authors and cultural contributors. The program served over 27 students this year.
- $47,908 spent. Field Trips Program-- Writing & Bookmaking-- 826 MSP's Field Trips Program introduces students to immersive, hands-on creative writing experiences through both on-site and mobile formats. Students participate in genre-specific workshops, guided writing exercises, and bookmaking activities designed to spark curiosity and imagination. Youth voice is centered through reflective sharing and collaborative storytelling, with Young Authors Council members occasionally supporting facilitation and peer engagement. The expanded Road Version brings writing and publishing field trips directly to schools that face transportation or access barriers, and many field trips result in mini-publications or school-based showcases. The Field trips Program served over 600 students during the current school year covered by this 990 Form. ** Young Authors Council-- The Young Authors Council is a paid student leadership body that centers youth voice, shared power, and leadership development across all 826 MSP programs. Council members advise on program design, workshop themes, publications, and community events; serve as peer mentors and editors; and represent 826 MSP at public readings and convenings. Through this role, students build leadership, facilitation, collaboration, and advocacy skills while ensuring programs remain responsive to youth perspectives and community needs. The Young Authors Council served 35 students this year.
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
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 November 6, 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 June 2025.
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 2010.
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 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.