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Neutral Zone

EIN 38-3407568 · Ann Arbor, MI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Neutral Zone is a transformative, youth-driven community where youth embrace their power, ignite their creativity, and launch their future to build equity, justice, and collective liberation.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
14.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
29
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$103,799, 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% 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 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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. $1.4 million spent. Neutral Zones youth-driven model relies on three core approaches to providing high quality opportunities. These approaches include a youth and adult partnerships - nurturing partnership of young people with adults to govern the center, programming and community opportunities, b restorative practice - building daily and intentional practice to cultivate a community and repair harm when it occurs, and c equity - ensure our youth are able to successfully transition to adulthood through strategic partnerships, supportive resources and ongoing coaching. Arts and Leadership Neutral Zone hosts a drop in after school space for youth to build meaningful connections with peers and adult mentors each day after school. We offer free artistic and leadership programming in music performance, media and digital technology, visual arts, and activism. See Schedule O for more. We host an artist in residence program bringing community artists for signature community partnership and skill building in the arts that culminate in unique projects, exhibitions and performances. Finally, we host concerts and special events coordinated by high school age teens and featuring youth bands and performances. Through this programming we aim to increase social emotional and learning and build critical skills for youth in collaboration, critical thinking and creativity for about 350 youth at the center and another 500 youth in schools and community organizations. Future Corps Neutral Zone provides a ten-year intervention to support youth to successfully transition to adulthood. While in high school, youth to engage in weekly programming to participate in career and college exploration, meaningful first time work experience, and access to college, technical and trade schools. As youth age into adulthood through 24 years old, we continue to offer support through weekly programming and coaching to offer supportive services, tuition scholarship at Washtenaw Community College and meaningful work experience. Through this work we aim to increase self-efficacy and agency and create pathways for college, technical and skills trade employment. Juvenile Justice Neutral Zone partners with the Washtenaw County Juvenile Division to host two days of programming for youth who are court involved at the Neutral Zone. Accompanied by probation officers during the school day, youth participate in restorative circles, artistic workshops, and reflective activities to support healing, connection and skill building. This program serves as a direct pathway to the NZ programs and our education and workforce programming. Youth Driven Spaces Neutral Zone embraces training, coaching and leadership opportunities that support youth at the center and beyond to share in leading and facilitating high quality youth experiences for their peers. In the past seven years, Neutral Zone has provided intensive training and coaching in our Youth Driven Spaces and Restorative Practice approach for more than 150 organizations and schools. Neutral Zone has taught courses on Youth Driven Practice at the University of Michigan School of Social Work and Eastern Michigan University School of Education.

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 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 June 2025.

    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 October 1998.

    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.