Fresno Ideaworks
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Teach skills and provide equipment and support to learn through a unique hands-on approach. Provide a community makerspace with tools and machines for public classes and member use. To foster collaboration and empower our community to develop entrepreneurial skills.
- Income
- $215,209
- Spending
- $132,519
- Spent on programs
- 98%
- Reserves
- -18 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 55%
- Employees
- 10
- Volunteers
- 45
- Highest pay
- $575, director
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: 50 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 62% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 80% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1598% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $82,193 spent. Makerspace Workshop: Fresno Ideaworks operates a community makerspace that gives members access to fully equipped areas for woodworking, metalworking, welding, glasswork, ceramics, electronics, textiles, and robotics. These shared shops support both industrial and fine arts, and are used for member projects, educational activities, and community collaborations. Helping members and visitors build technical and artistic skills in line with our mission to promote hands-on learning. In 2024 we averaged about 140 paying members. Many are veterans, seniors, and full-time students who receive reduced-cost memberships so they can continue developing technical and artistic skills. The makerspace is sustained by volunteers who help maintain tools and equipment, mentor new makers, and support safe use of the facility. The space also supports custom one-off builds and repairs that are difficult to obtain from other local businesses.
- $47,386 spent. Education: Fresno Ideaworks offers public classes and workshops that provide hands-on instruction in skills such as woodworking, welding, ceramics, CNC routing, laser cutting and engraving, electronics, robotics, sewing, 3D printing, and basic machine shop operations. Classes are open to both members and the general public and are designed to help participants explore new hobbies, improve existing skills, or prepare for career-related opportunities. Volunteer instructors and assistants help plan and deliver these classes, making it possible to offer affordable entry-level and intermediate courses throughout the year. In 2024 we continued to focus on adult and general-audience classes and did not run the prior high-school summer camp sessions.
- $11 spent. Outreach: Fresno Ideaworks outreach activities introduce the broader community to the maker movement and to hands-on learning. Free or low-cost events give visitors opportunities to see demonstrations, try tools, repair items, and learn about membership and classes. Tech Tuesday and similar drop-in sessions connect participants with volunteers who help troubleshoot electronics, robotics, and microcontroller projects. Ideaworks also participates as an official Fresno ArtHop venue, opening the space to the public for art viewing, demonstrations, and informal tours. These activities expand access to our tools and expertise for community members who may not yet be ready for a full membership or formal class.
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
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 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.