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Democracy at Work Institute

EIN 27-5265123 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE DEMOCRACY AT WORK INSTITUTE IS TO EXPAND THE WORKER COOPERATIVE MODEL TO REACH COMMUNITIES MOST DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC INEQUALITY, SPECIFICALLY PEOPLE OF COLOR, RECENT IMMIGRANTS, AND LOW-WAGE WORKFORCES. WE ARE A MOVEMENT-BASED THINK-AND-DO TANK SUPPORTING WORKER COOPERATIVES TO GROW TO A SCALE THAT CREATES MEANINGFUL CHANGE IN THE ECONOMY.

Income
$2.8 million
Spending
$4.2 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
18
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$132,120, co-executive director

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: 35 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 27% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 52% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 65% of charities in its peer group (employment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 7 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 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 (10)
  1. $743,042 spent. RAPID RESPONSE COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT MODEL - THIS MODEL HELPS COOPERATIVES FORM AS LLCS WITH MEMBER BUY-IN, PROFIT DISTRIBUTION, AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE. IT USES FRANCHISE-LIKE ELEMENTS SHARED BACK-OFFICE SERVICES AND STANDARDIZED TRAINING THAT MAKE COOPERATIVES EASIER TO START AND ARE BETTER SUPPORTED AS THEY GROW.
  2. $720,838 spent. FISCALLY-SPONSORED PROJECTS - FISCALLY SPONSORED PROJECTS ALLOW MISSION-ALIGNED INITIATIVES TO ACCESS FUNDING. WE PROVIDE OVERSIGHT AND DISBURSE FUNDS INCREMENTALLY OVER THE COURSE OF THE GRANT PERIODS.
  3. $381,223 spent. SCHOOL FOR DEMOCRATIC MANAGEMENT - AS A FIELD-BUILDING ORGANIZATION, DAWI IS COMMITTED TO ACCELERATING THE WORK OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF WORKER COOPERATIVE MEMBERS, MANAGERS, DEVELOPERS, AND REGIONAL PARTNERS BY FILLING CRITICAL GAPS IN WORKER COOPERATIVE EDUCATION VIA TRENDS IN ONLINE LEARNING, REGIONAL COOPERATIVE GROWTH, AND THE FIELD'S NEED FOR CULTURALLY-RELEVANT CONTENT.
  4. $377,916 spent. COMMUNICATIONS & FIELD BUILDING
  5. $317,950 spent. WORKER OWNERSHIP CITIES
  6. $247,456 spent. RURAL PROJECTS/TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
  7. $238,007 spent. DATA & RESEARCH
  8. $201,562 spent. LEGACY FUND
  9. $115,578 spent. ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
  10. $30,979 spent. WCC (WORKER CO-OP CONFERENCE)

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 October 13, 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 August 2013.

    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 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.