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Sweet Auburn Works

EIN 46-1784089 · Atlanta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak0 out of 100GovernanceFair63 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.
  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 52 cents.

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

What it says it does

Sweet Auburn Works mission is to Preserve Protect and Revitalize the Sweet Auburn historic commercial district.

Income
$387,198
Spending
$509,194
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
-5.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 52%
Employees
1
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$97,500, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 0 out of 100. Higher than 0% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 112% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 32% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 52 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 December 31, 2023, 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. $324,136 spent. Spark Lab - The SPARK Lab is a retail accelerator that benefits existing and new retail businesses in the Sweet Auburn District. Lab expenses covered lab operations retail consultants renovations for the space and technical assistance for District retailers
  2. $21,523 spent. HAANDS - HAANDS is a national consortium of practitioners that protect and serve the Sweet Auburn Historic District. This years expenses were used to host a symposium for 100 participants.
  3. $7,700 spent. Hero Walk - The Hero Walk is a placemaking initiative in the Districts public right-of-way that highlights the history of Sweet Auburn Historic District. Funds were expended this year to continue the design of the project.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, 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 September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2025 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2025.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2023.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Worth knowing.

    Recognized by the IRS in February 2026. It is too new to have a track record.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.