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Utec Inc

EIN 38-3669532 · Lowell, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood84 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of UTEC, Inc. (UTEC) is to ignite and nurture the ambition of young adults to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success. UTEC was founded in 1999 by teenagers who established their own drop-in center in Lowell, MA, (See Schedule O)The mission of UTEC, Inc. (UTEC) is to ignite and nurture the ambition of young adults to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success. UTEC was founded in 1999 by teenagers who established their own drop-in center in Lowell, MA, as a sanctuary from gang violence. Today, UTEC is nationally recognized for its street outreach and workforce development program model, which is specifically designed to help young adults ages 18-25 overcome the challenges of interrupted education, gang involvement, and incarceration. UTEC operates three social enterprises - Mattress Recycling, Woodworking, and Food Services - that generate revenue to support direct services, and provide job training and employment to young adults.

Income
$17.4 million
Spending
$16.7 million
Spent on programs
62%
Reserves
15.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 64%
Employees
247
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$274,234, chief executive officer

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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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 28% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 11 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 (4)
  1. $2.1 million spent. Workforce Development - Provides youth most in need the opportunity to gain valuable job skills and real earnings to help them pursue positive life choices
  2. $1.5 million spent. Mattress - Through this program, youth pick up, deconstruct and recycle mattresses from across northern New England, learning valuable workplace skills.
  3. $1.0 million spent. Streetworker - To engage and support young people who are most often overlooked: Intentional street-based outreach, crisis intervention, referrals to community resources, and gang peacemaking.
  4. $5.7 million spent. Commercial Kitchen: Cafe UTEC provides youth most in need the opportunity to gain valuable job skills and real earnings to help them pursue positive life choices. Expenses $931,072. Including Grants of $0. Revenue $196,875. Education - prepare young people to take the multi-part GED test to earn a high school equivalency credential. It also piloted a dual enrollment program so that young people can earn college credits for work completed with UTEC.Expenses $956,855. Including Grants of $0. Revenue $24,880. Organizing - organizing promotes civic engagement on local and state levels through community organizing and political action.Expenses $992,206. Including Grants of $0. Revenue $0. Transitional Coaching - creates a service plan to address all of a youth's needs, including but not limited to access to basic services, education, employment, family life, and housing.Expenses $675,269. Including Grants of $0. Revenue $0. Woodworking - UTEC provides the opportunity for youth most in need to gain valuable job skills and real earnings to help them pursue positive live choices while creating professional quality wood products. Expenses $365,046. Including Grants of $0. Revenue $65,931. Housing - to create safe and secure housing provides a foundation for individuals to pursue their goals and build brighter futures. Expenses $490,651 Including Grants of $0. Revenue $0. Other Programs Expenses $1,284,085. Including Grants of $0. Revenue $13,709.

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 November 6, 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 September 2003.

    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 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.