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Engagenj a Nj Nonprofit Corporation

EIN 45-2475221 · Montclair, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ENGAGE NJ IS A COLLABORATIVE FORCE IN EQUIPPING AND EMPOWERING CAMPUSES TO FOSTER COMPETENCIES THAT ADVANCE DEMOCRACY AND ENABLE STUDENTS TO THRIVE IN 21ST CENTURY LIFE AND WORK.

Income
$596,628
Spending
$589,012
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 67%
Employees
0
Volunteers
32
Highest pay
$147,805, 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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 85% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    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 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 (3)
  1. $63,146 spent. USING A VOLUNTEER GENERATION GRANT THROUGH THE DEPT. STATE, HELD VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER CONFERENCE AND FAIR FOR STUDENTS TO ENCOURAGE INCREASES IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND VOLUNTEERISM THAT SOLVES PUBLIC ISSUES AND DEVELOPS 21ST CENTURY SKILLS. DEVELOPED A NEW ENGAGE NJ RESOURCE CALLED THE STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SERVICE DATABASE. DEVELOPED THE THRIVERS DATABASE OF SKILLED CIVIC LEADERS. ALL DONATED SERVICES ARE NOT INCLUDED. GRANT CYCLE (OCTOBER - SEPTEMBER) IS DIFFERENT FROM FILING CYCLE.
  2. $108,593 spent. VISTA PROGRAM IS THE GRANT WHERE ENGAGE NJ PROVIDED THE CAMPUSE WITH FULL-TIME PERSONNEL KNOWN AS AMERICORPS VISTAS TO SUPPORT VARIOUS CAMPUS-BASED INITIATIVES THAT HELP STUDENTS GET TO AND THROUGH COLLEGE. ENGAGE NJ RECRUITED AND PROVIDED EACH VISTA WITH A LIVING ALLOWANCE, HEALTH INSURANCE, AND AN EDUCATION AWARD AT THE END OF THEIR YEAR OF SERVICE.
  3. $254,697 spent. MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR DAYS OF SERVICE (DOS) GRANT FROM AMERICORPS, VALUED AT $250,000 ANNUALLY. ENGAGE NJ MANAGES AWARDING CAMPUSES FROM 11 STATES WITH FUNDS TO SUPPORT MLK DAYS OF SERVICE EVENTS, SUPPORTING 7,000 STUDENTS.

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 June 2014.

    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.