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Passes our checks

Nova Labs Inc

EIN 45-3796580 · Fairfax, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceWeak49 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 34% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

EDUCATION AND INNOVATION - NOVA LABS PROVIDES A FACILITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO DESIGN AND FABRICATE TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRIAL WORKS. NOVA LAB VOLUNTEERS ALSO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, THROUGH CLASSES, TRAINING AND HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
34%
Reserves
-32 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
15
Volunteers
150

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

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 3% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 68% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    34% 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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 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. $18,560 spent. OUTREACH: NOVA LABS SPONSORS AN ANNUAL MAKER FAIRE EVENT IN THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGION. THE EVENT SHOWCASES MAKERS AND THEIR PROJECTS AND IS INTENDED TO PROMOTE COMPETENCE IN TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRIAL ARTS.
  2. $116,622 spent. NOVA LABS PROVIDES A FACILITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO DESIGN AND FABRICATE TECHNICAL AND INDUSTRIAL WORKS.
  3. $329,700 spent. EDUCATION & INNOVATION-NOVA LABS VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN THE FORM OF CLASSES, TRAINING, AND HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS.

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 July 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.