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The Middle Project Inc

EIN 31-1689641 · New York, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceGood86 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FREEDOM RISING PREPARES ETHICAL LEADERS FOR A JUST SOCIETY. IT IS AN INSTITUTE THAT CONVENES LEADERS FROM MANY DISCIPLINES, PROFESSIONS AND FIELDS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO PURSUING THE COMMON GOOD FROM A PROGRESSIVE PERSPECTIVE, MOTIVATED BY A SENSE OF JUSTICE AND CONCERN FOR THOSE ON THE MARGINS: THE POOR, THE WORKING POOR, AND THOSE WHO ARE MARGINALIZED BY RACE, CLASS OR GENDER/SEXUAL INJUSTICE.

Income
$330,523
Spending
$377,174
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
4.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$42,411, 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: 49 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 36% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% 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

Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 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

    0 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
  1. $118,033 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS & CONFERENCE:OUR PROJECT INCUBATION SUPPORTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEADERS LIKE GENESIS BE/STRIVE TIL I RISE AND PROTECT YUNUS. IN 2023 OUR VOTER REFORM GROUP FOCUSED ON VOTER REGISTRATION AND ENDING VOTER SUPPRESSION, AND MOBILIZING VOTERS FOR ELECTION AND SENT POSTCARDS TO HUNDREDS OF VOTERS.
  2. $250,000 spent. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT:IN 2023 FREEDOM RISING OFFERED TWO FREE, WEEK-LONG CAMPS FOR GRADESK-5TH AND 6TH-12TH HOSTED AT MARBLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH. THESE CAMPSENGAGED YOUNG PEOPLE IN ANTI-RACISM, THE ARTS, AND STORYTELLING.-JUST ARTS JUSTICE CAMP FOR YOUTH-CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND FREEDOM SCHOOLIN 2023 FREEDOM RISING OFFERED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDING PROJECTINCUBATION, MIDDLE VOTING REFORM AND A SOCIAL JUSTICE 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 September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2013 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2013.

    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 December 2024.

    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 July 2014.

    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.