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Passes our checks

Urban Boatbuilders Inc

EIN 41-1831598 · Saint Paul, MN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO EMPOWER YOUTH TO SUCCEED IN WORK AND LIFE THROUGH WOODWORKING AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING.

Income
$981,022
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
67
Volunteers
111
Highest pay
$128,369, executive director/ceo

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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 0% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 95% of charities in its peer group (youth development, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 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 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 (1)
  1. $886,364 spent. URBAN BOATBUILDERS, INC. (THE ORGANIZATION") IS A PUBLIC CHARITY ESTABLISHED TO EMPOWER YOUTH TO SUCCEED IN WORK AND LIFE THROUGH WOODWORKING AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING. THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE IS DONOR CONTRIBUTIONS.URBAN BOATBUILDERS' PROGRAMMING ENGAGES YOUTH IN HANDS-ON BUILDING PROJECTS WHICH SERVE AS A VEHICLE TO DEVELOP SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND TECHNICAL SKILLS. THESE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES EMPOWER YOUTH TO PURSUE THEIR GOALS AND ACHIEVE SUCCESS IN SCHOOL, WORK, AND LIFE. THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM BRINGS HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO ENGAGE STUDENTS WHO THRIVE THROUGH CREATIVE, HANDS-ON EDUCATION. THIS PROGRAM ENHANCES ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION AND REDEFINES STUDENT'S RELATIONSHIP WITH LEARNING AND SUCCESS. IN 2024, THE PROGRAM SERVED 209 YOUNG PEOPLE AT 12 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. IN 2023, THE PROGRAM SERVED 935 YOUNG PEOPLE AT 18 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. 100% OF PARTNERS REPORTED THAT THE PROGRAM IS A "VERY GOOD FIT" FOR STUDENTS WHO STRUGGLE IN A TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM SETTING. THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES PAID VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO YOUTH WITH BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT. YOUTH WORK IN COHORTS OF PEERS TO BUILD BOATS AND DEVELOP WORK READINESS SKILLS SUCH AS COLLABORATION, PROBLEM SOLVING, AND VERBAL COMMUNICATION. IN 2024, THE PROGRAM SERVED 53 YOUNG PEOPLE. IN 2023, THE PROGRAM SERVED 44 YOUNG PEOPLE. 100% OF THESE REPORTED THAT THE PROGRAM HELPED THEM FIGURE OUT THE NEXT STEPS NEEDED TO SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.

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 November 1996.

    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.